qualified accountant?

[pocahontas]

If i gain a AAT accountant qualification as an accountant technichian would my job role be an 'accountant'?
On a website it asks your job role, this is what it says:

Accountant
Accountant-external
Accountant-internal

Which one would i be?
I need someone who will; really go in to depth in researching this as my whole future depends on it!
Basically don't just go on 2 sites as ive done it and i didnt really get anywhere!
Also if anyone could go on the AAT site and tell me if an nvq and a diploma are really any different? Will i still get the recognised qualification as an accountant?
Hope you can answer my questions folks!
Good luck and thanx :) xxxx

[Mrs_Pegasus]

I would say you are none of the above. You are like you said an accountant technician which is different. When asking for an accountant they normally mean a chartered accountant like a CIMA or CIPFA qualified.

When I did AAT it was the equivalent of NVQ Level 4. This may have changed. Like you I am not clear on the difference and to be honest I have never thought about it.

AAT is a good base to go on to a chartered accountants qualification and obviously would mean more options and career development.

As a rule of thumb, a technician can prepare the accounts and basically do all the leg work but only a chartered accountant can actually sign the accounts off.

The difference between an internal and external accountant is that with internal it means you work within the company and on their payroll. An external accountant would be working for a group of accountants who are employed to go into a business to effectively do their accounts. An accountant in this case could be someone who is self-employed.

Hope this helps you some of the way.

[pocahontas]

Thankyou mrs pegasus thats really helped me a lot. :)

[pingping]

hi pocahontas. i used to work for AAT so know a bit about the qualifications. the diploma you mention is almost like an introduction to the main accountancy qualification they offer. you should study for the diploma if you are not working in an accountancy environment. if you currently work in an accountancy office, then you can register on their normal education & training scheme as this allows you to use work-based evidence to build up your portfolio. have a look here for some basic differences: http://www.aat.co.uk/join/display/store4/item2 67/

they have a really good student services section that you can call or email for more information: [phone] or [e-mail]

good luck!