3 The International Student Guide

Studying in the

uKThe InTernaTIonal STudenT GuIde

The International Student Guide 3

The ACCA Qualification is the right choiceBecause…

•It’sRELEVANTtoeachandeveryareaofaccountancy•ItgivesOPPORTUNITIEStoworkindifferentrolesanduptoseniorlevel•It’sGLOBALLYrecognisedandsupportedbytopemployers•It’sFLEXIBLE,youcanstudyfulltime,parttimeandthroughdistancelearning.

•Supports154,000membersand432,000studentsin170 countries

•Istrulyglobal–57%ofACCAmembersareoutsideoftheUKandtheRepublicofIreland(CIMA26%/ICAEW15%/ICAS14%/CIPFA3%)

Did you know that ACCA…

•Has68%ofmembersunder44yearsold,keepingyouingreatcompanywithouryounganddynamicmembershipbase

•Isproudtocontinuallyhavethehighestpercentageoffemalemembers:44% comparedto25%inotherprofessionalbodies

•IstheonlyprofessionalbodytoofferOption papers allowingyoutosteeryourcareerinthedirectionyouwant

•Providesourmembersandstudentswith24/7/365supportviaourACCA Connectglobalcustomerservicecentre.

Why ACCA?

Why ACCA? 3

The ACCA quAlifiCATion 4

ACCA in The uK 5

Coming To The uK 6

Before you Arrive in The uK 7

living in The uK 9

ACCA TuiTion in The uK 11

WorKing in The uK 13

CAreer prospeCTs 16

employABiliTy And CAreers guidAnCe 17

exAmple of joBs And primAryACCounTABiliTies 20

sTAy in TouCh 22

leAving The uK 23

Further useful information and websites 23

Key

Thetexthighlightedinyellowisalinktoawebsite.Pleaseclickthetexttofindoutfurtherinformation.

The ACCA Qualification gives you the ability to be successful in Any sector AnyWhere in the world.

ContentS

2 The International Student Guide

4 The International Student Guide The International Student Guide 5

the ACCA QuAlifiCAtion

EXEMPTIONSYourpreviousqualificationsmayentitleyoutoexemptionsfromsomeoftheACCAexams.Thismeansyouwillstartyourstudiesatthemostappropriatelevelaccordingtoyourknowledgeandskillsand,moreimportantly,avoidstudyingsubjectsthatyoualreadyknow.

Youmustsendofficialproofofanyrelevantqualificationswhichareheld,orarecurrentlybeingstudiedfor,withyourregistration,inorderforustoassessyoureligibilityandconfirmyourentitlementtoexemptions.Formoreinformationonexemptionsvisitwww.accaglobal.com/exemptions

Whether you are studying, or thinking about studying, the ACCA Qualification in the UK, this guide has all the information you need to help you plan your stay.

Inthissectionyouwillfindrelevantinformationandadviceonliving,studyingandworkingintheUK.

ACCA UKisoneofACCA’slargestnationaloffices,withover80staffworkingwithUK-basedstudentsandmembers,aswellasawiderangeofotherstakeholders,includingtuitionprovidersandemployers.

Wecurrentlyhave90,000studentsand67,000membersintheUK.ACCAhasstatutoryrecognitionandis the fastest growing professional accountancy body in the country.

WehavealargenetworkoflearningproviderswhoofferACCAtuitionthroughavarietyofmethodsinlocationsallovertheUK.

EXAMSTheACCAexamsaredividedintotwolevels,FundamentalsandProfessional.TheFundamentalslevelisdividedintotwomodules,KnowledgeandSkills.

TheProfessionallevelisdividedintotwomodules:EssentialsandOptions.BothofthemodulesatProfessionallevelhavebeensetatthesameabilitylevelasaMastersdegree.Thislevelbuildsonthetechnicalknowledgeyouwillalreadyhave.Itwillalsoexploremoreadvancedprofessionalskills,techniquesandvalues.

Weareengagedinanumberofinitiativestosupportstudentsandmembers,aswellasworkingcloselywithbothbusinessesandthegovernment.Weofferavarietyofeventsnationwide,andalsooperateACCAofficesinWalesandScotlandthatworkspecificallywithandformembersandstudentsinthoseareas.

TheUKisadiverse,vibrantplacetolive,studyandworkandisrichinhistoryandculture.Youcanhaveafantasticexperiencewhilstyouarehere,andwelookforwardtosupportingyouthroughoutyourinternationalACCAcareer.

ETHICSTheProfessionalEthicsmoduleunderpinseveryaspectoftheACCAQualification.Theaimofthemoduleistointroduceyoutoarangeofchallengingethicalideas.

EXPERIENCEAllACCAstudentsneedtocompletethreeyears’relevantworkexperience.

ACCAperformanceobjectivessetoutaclearguideoftheactivitiesyoushoulddoandwhatyoushouldachieveintheworkplace.Youneedtoachieve13oftheperformanceobjectives,allninelistedas‘Essentials’andfourofthoselistedas‘Options’.

Any relevant work experience obtained prior to registering with ACCA can count towards your performance experience requirements (PER).

ACCA in the uK

exemptionSexperienCeethiCS & exAmS

FormoreinformationonstudyingfortheACCAQualificationvisitourwebsitewww.accaglobal.com/applynow

The International Student Guide 76 The International Student Guide

CHOOSE A LICENSED LEARNING PROVIDER Findandapplytoalearningproviderwhoislicensedforthecourseyouwanttostudy.EnsurethattheyareaHighlyTrustedSponsor(HTS)andthattheyareagoldorplatinumapprovedlearningprovider(ALP).AlistoflicencedinstitutionscanbefoundontheHome Office UK Border Agency website.

More information on ACCA tuition can be found on page 11.

VISA REQUIREMENTS ResearchvisarequirementsandensureyouhavethenecessaryvisastoentertheUK.ToseewhatyouneedtodoandlearnaboutapplicationoptionsforyourcountryvisittheHome Office UK Border Agency website.

NewrulesforTier4(thestudenttierofthepointsbasedsystemforUK)studentvisascameintoforceinApril2011.

Every year, students from all over the world arrive in the UK to study ACCA. We want you to have a smooth transition and ensure that your learning experience will be a positive one.

Thisinternationalstudentguidehasbeendevelopedtosupportyouasyoubeginyourjourneytoqualifyasacharteredcertifiedaccountant.YouwillfindinformationonACCA,ourmembersandwhereweoperate.Youcanalsoaccessinformationrelatedtoyourpersonaldevelopment,suchasskillsupdates,employmentadviceandarticlesrelevanttotheprofession.

Watchingtheinternational student videowillhighlightafewthingsyouneedtodobeforeyoumakearrangementstostudyintheUK,theseinclude:

UKvisarequirementsaresubjecttochangeanditisimportantthatyoufamiliariseyourselfwiththeTier4GeneralStudentvisarequirementrulesbeforetravellingtotheUKtostudy.YouwillneedtoknowwhetheryourequireaUKstudentvisaand,ifso,howtoapplyforone.

ACCAUKisnotinvolvedinanyaspectofadministeringorissuingstudentvisas.ThisprocessismanagedbytheHomeOfficeBorder&ImmigrationAgency.ForfurtherinformationandguidanceonUKstudentvisarequirementsandapplicationprocedurespleasevisittheHome Office UK Border Agency website.

TheHomeOfficeUKBoarderAgencyhaveproducedausefulvideoaboutstudyingintheUKcalled‘Guide to UK student visa’

Before you Arrive in the uK

Coming to the uK

Step 1Registeringwithagoldorplatinumapprovedlearningprovider(ALP)

Step 2GettingthecorrectvisasbydemonstratingaB2-levelofEnglish

Step 3EnsuringyouhavefundingtocomeintotheUK

Step 4RegisteringasastudentwithACCAandobtainingthecorrectexemptionstopassontoyourlearningprovider.Thiswillensureyoustudytowardstherightpapers.

Theinformationinthisguidewillhelpyouthroughthisprocess.

The International Student Guide 98 The International Student Guide

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ABILITYYoumustbeabletodemonstratethatyoucanspeakEnglishrequiredtolevelB2(speaking,listening,readingandwriting)ifinterviewedbyaHomeOfficeAgencyofficer.SomestudentsmusthavepassedtheSecureEnglishLanguageTest(SELT)beforetheyapplyforastudentvisa.StudentsmayberefusedavisaorentrytotheUKiftheycannotspeakEnglishwithoutassistance.

WerecommendourEnglish and maths self-check moduleswhicharefreeofchargeandwillprovideyouwithfeedbackonyourlevelsofabilityinEnglishandmaths.

ACCA’s English and maths self-check modules

IfyoudoneedtoimproveyourEnglishlanguageability,youmaywanttoconsiderstudyingtheInternational Certificate in Financial English (Cambridge ICFE)whichisendorsedbyACCA.CONFIRMATION OF ACCEPTANCE FOR STUDIES (CAS)Onceyouhavemadeafinaldecisiononwhereyouwouldliketostudy,youneedtoaskthelicensedlearningproviderofyourchoicetoprovideyouwithanelectronicreferencenumber,knownasyourConfirmationofAcceptanceforStudies(CAS).FormoreinformationvisittheHome Office UK Border Agency website.

FUNDINGEnsurethatyouhavearrangedmaintenancefundsandlivingexpenses.FormoreinformationvisittheHome Office UK Border Agency website.

REGISTERING WITH ACCAIfyouarenotyetanACCAstudent,ensureyouregister with usdirectly.Yourtuitionprovidercan’tdothisforyou.ByregisteringasastudentwithACCAyouwillbeabletoobtainthecorrectexemptionstopassontoyourlearningproviderandstartstudyingtowardstherightpapers.

To register as an ACCA student visit www.accaglobal.com/ apply-now

Research information about living in the UK – in particular banking, accommodation, transport, language and other essential information.

CHECKLIST BelowisalistofimportantpointstorememberpriortostudyingiftheUK:Youmusthavesufficientmaintenancefunds

ThelearningprovideryouareconsideringforyourACCAstudymustbeaGoldorPlatinumALPlicensedbytheHomeOfficeAgencytosponsoryouforthecourseyouwanttostudy.ThetuitionprovidermustbeaHighlyTrustedSponsor(HTS)inordertoissueyouwithaConfirmationofAcceptanceforStudies(CAS).VisittheHomeOfficeUKBorderAgencywebsiteforfurtherdetails

ToapplyforaUKstudentvisa,youmusthavethevisafee,avalidpassportwhichmeetstheBritishimmigrationrequirements,aCASfromthelicensedlearningprovider,proofofmaintenancefunds,andacompletedvisaapplicationform

Youmusthaveevidenceofappropriatequalificationstaughtbythelicensedlearningprovidertoacceptyouontothecourse

OnceyoureceiveyourCASfromyourtuitionprovider,youshouldrequestaninterviewforapplicationforaUKstudentvisawiththelocalBritishEmbassyorBritishHighCommission

YouwillberequiredtodemonstratethatyouhavesufficientcommandoftheEnglishlanguagetoB2level

living in the uKBefore you Arrive in the uK Continued

10 The International Student Guide The International Student Guide 11

ACCA tuition in the uK

IfyouareplanningtostudytowardstheACCAQualificationintheUKthenyoumust:• EnrolwithalearningproviderwhoislicensedbytheUKBorderAgencywithHighlyTrustedSponsor(HTS)status

•MakesurethislearningproviderisaccreditedwithACCAundertheApprovedLearningPartner(ALP)programmewithPlatinumorGoldapproval

• Obtainthecorrectvisas.

UK LEARNING PROVIDERSItisimportantthatyoumaketherightdecisionswhenpreparingtostudy.ACCAcoursesaretaughtbyover280learningprovidersthroughouttheUK,soitcanbedifficulttoselecttheonethatisrightforyou.

ACCAstronglyrecommendsthatyouoptforaproviderthatisregisteredunderACCA’sApprovedLearningPartners(ALP)scheme,asyoucanbesurethatthey:• AremonitoredbyACCA

• Meettheminimumqualitycriteria

• Receiveup-to-dateinformationregardingACCA

• Willbesubjecttoaninvestigationintheeventofanystudentcomplaints.

GoldApprovedLearningPartnersdemonstratetoACCAthattheymeetcertainperformancetargetsaroundthewaytheymanagetheirinstitution–suchastheprovisionofcomfortablepremisesandadequatefacilities,carefullymonitoredattendanceandretention,andrelevantcourses.

Youwillneedtovisitavisaapplicationcentre–tofindoutthelocationofyournearestvisacentrevisittheHomeOfficeUKBorderAgencywebsite

Youwillreceiveanacceptancepackfromyourlearningprovider.ThepackshouldcontainrelevantinformationabouttuitionfeesandenteringtheUKonaUKstudentvisa

Youwillneedtoarrangeaccommodation.TheauthoritiesmaynotgrantyouaUKstudentvisawithoutwrittenconfirmationofproofofaddresswhilstyouarestudyingintheUK

MakeyourarrangementsfortraveltotheUK.Youmustensurethatyouhaveyourlearningprovider’sacceptanceletter(CAS)withyou.UKimmigrationmayrequireconfirmationofthiswhenyouarriveintheUK

OnceyoumovetotheUK,remembertoupdateyouraddressdetailsthroughmyACCA,thatway,wecanautomaticallynotifyyouofUK-relatedevents,publicationsandinitiatives.

REMEMBER:if you provide false documents, lie or withhold information, you may be refused a visa and could be banned from coming to the UK for up to 10 years.

ACCAUKisnotinvolvedinanyaspectofadministeringorissuingstudentvisas.ThisismanagedbytheHomeOfficeAgency.ForfurtherinformationandguidanceonUKstudentvisarequirementsandapplicationprocedurespleasevisitwww.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/

living in the uK Continued

The International Student Guide 1312 The International Student Guide

Theselearningprovidershaveaknowledgeableandexperiencedteachingteam,astructuredteachingprogrammeandprovidestudentswithadviceonstudyoptionsandtutorialsupport.PlatinumApprovedLearningPartners,inadditiontomeetingtheGoldperformancetargets,provideevidenceofcontinualimprovementandinnovation,andmustconsistentlymeetexamresulttargets,setbymeetingorexceedingACCA’sworldwidepassrates.

ACCA APPROVED LEARNING PROVIDERS Youcanaccessanup-to-datelistofUKLearningProvidersontheHome Office UK Border Agency website.

VARIANT PAPERS (LAW AND TAX)ACCAisaninternationalprofessionalbody,soweofferstudentstheopportunitytotakethelawandtaxpapersthatreflectthesesystemsinseveralcountries.However,ifyouarestudyingACCApapersforlawortaxintheUK,itishighlyunlikelythatUKlearningproviderswilloffercoursesforthesepapersinanythingotherthantheUKvariant.WhileitispermissibletositanyavailablelawortaxvariantexamintheUK,youwillneedtoconsiderhowyouwouldstudyforanon-UKlawortaxvariantpaperintheUK.

COMPUTER-BASED EXAMS (CBEs)Computer-basedexams(CBEs)areavailableforsomepapers.CBEsofferflexibility,canbesatatanytimeanddonotrestrictyoutotheJuneandDecembersittings.However,youwillnotbeabletositCBEsunlessyouarearegisteredstudentwithACCA.FindfulldetailsonCBEs on our website.

EXAM CENTRESACCAconductspaperexaminationsatover40examcentresthroughouttheUK.MostmajorUKcitieswillhaveatleastoneexamcentre.Fordetailsonthelocationofourexam centres visit the website.

FEES AND DATESCostsfortuitionvarydependingontheindividuallearningprovider.Paymentfortuitiontakesplacedirectlybetweenyouandyourlearningprovider.ACCAonlycontrolscostsandpaymentforsittingexams.

ACCA’s fees and important dates

WorKing in the uK

• 10hoursperweekpart-timeduringtermtimeforstudentsundertakingcoursesbelowdegreelevel

• Allstudentsstudyingdirectlywithhighereducationinstitutionswillbeabletoworkfull-timeduringvacations.

Arrivingandsettlinginaforeigncountrycanbechallenginganditmaytakeyoutimetoadapttoyournewenvironment.Severalorganisationsareavailabletoprovidehelpandsupport,suchasEducation UK,partoftheBritishCouncil,whohaveproducedacomprehensiveguidetoarrivingandlivingintheUK.Itincludesinformationonarrangingvisas,accommodation,financialandlegalmatters,culture,foodandhealthcare.View the guide now.

Upon completion of ACCA studies in the UK, international students return to their home country to obtain the relevant work experience for ACCA membership.

ACCAdoesnotplacestudentsintojobsorarrangeworkpermits.Itisyourresponsibilitytogainappropriateworkexperience.

The Home Office Border & Immigration Agencywebsiteprovidesclearinformationaboutthevariousroutesopentonon-UKnationalswhowanttoworkintheUK.

STUDENT PERMISSION TO WORKForstudentssponsoredbyandstudyingdirectlywithpublichighereducationinstitutions,thecurrentlevelsofpermissiontoworkare:• 20hoursperweekpart-timeduringterm-timeforstudentsundertakingcoursesatdegreelevelorabove

ACCA tuition in the uK Continued

The International Student Guide 1514 The International Student Guide

ACCA CAREERSACCACareersisacareersportalformembers,studentsandgraduatesinterestedintheACCAQualification.

OnACCACareersyouwillbeabletouploadyourCV,accessthousandsofglobaljobopportunitiesandfindcomprehensiveguidanceonacareerinaccountancyandfinance.Visit the portal now

STUDENT SUPPORTACCAUKisoneofACCA’slargestnationaloffices,operatingfromofficesinLondon,YorkandBirmingham.WehaveseparatenationalofficesforWalesandScotland–ACCAWalesisbasedinCardiffandACCAScotlandisbasedinGlasgow.ACCAIreland,meanwhile,supportsstudentsinbothNorthernIrelandandtheRepublicofIreland.

UK PUBLICATIONS AND WEBSITESThe ACCA website containsinformationrelevanttoACCAmembersandstudentsstudyingintheUK.ItcontainsinformationfromallACCAUKdepartmentsandadvisesonthelatestUKevents,research,resourcesandhottopics.

SUPPORT SERVICES AND EVENTSInadditiontoglobalresourcessuchasthestudentaccountantmagazineandresourcesfoundonthestudent section of ACCA’s website,weprovideanumberofUK-specificservicesincluding:• ListofexamsupporteventstakingplacefromtheendofFebruarytotheendofAprilforstudentssittingexamsinJuneandfromtheendofSeptembertotheendofOctoberforstudentssittingexamsinDecember.Alltheeventsareavailablefrom

ApprovedLearningPartnersontopicssuchasstudyskills,memoryandexamtechniquesandcanbespecifictocertainACCApapersandsubjectareas.WealsoprovidedetailsofrevisioncoursesrunbyApprovedLearningPartnersforeachexamsitting

• HelpforstudentsprogressingtowardstheirProfessionalExperienceRequirements(PER),aswellasinformationonhowtorecordyourexperience.My Experiencewillallowyoutoupdateyouremploymentandexperienceeasilyandquickly,asyougoalong.AccessMy ExperiencethroughmyACCA

• AUK-specifice-bulletinispublishedatkeypointsinthestudentyear

• AclosepartnershipwithNUS(National Union of Students)sothatACCAstudentscanapplyfortheNUSextracard,whichgivescardholdersaccesstoproductsandservicesfromavarietyofcompanies.NUSrepresentsoversevenmillionstudentsacrosstheUK,providingexcellentbenefitsandhelpfulresearchandinformation.TheNUS websiteoffersstudentsarangeoffacilities,includinginformationonNUScampaigns,educationnews,andadviceonissuesrelatingtohousing,educationandhealthcare.

• ACCAUKhasdevelopedaseriesofpodcastswhichfocusoncommercialawarenessandhowitcanbetranslatedacrossdifferentsectors.Thepodcastsdevelopstudents’commercialknowledge

anddemonstratehowtousethatknowledgewhenapplyingforajob.Download the commercial awareness podcasts.

• Upto69%offasubscriptiontoTheFinancialTimesnewspaperandFT.com.BothareusefulresourcesforACCAstudents,providingbroadbased,in-depthknowledgeofbusinessandindustry.Tosubscribe,emailsubscriptions@ft.com,visitwww.ft.com/home/uk orcall+44(0)8456023176andquote‘educationassociation’.

KEEP IN CONTACTIfyoumovetotheUK,remembertoupdateyouraddressdetailsthroughmyACCAwhichcanbeaccessedfromthehomepageofourwebsite.Thatway,wecanautomaticallynotifyyouofUK-relatedevents,publicationsandinitiatives.

WorKing in the uK Continued

ACCA PODCASTS

The International Student Guide 1716 The International Student Guide

Whatever stage you are at in your career planning, ACCA can help. We have a range of qualifications, relevant to all business sectors, to help you reach your career goals. For more information about a career in finance and accountancy visit the ACCA website.

WHAT WORK COULD I DO WITH THE ACCA QUALIFICATION? DependingonwhetheryoucompletethefoundationlevelqualificationorACCAQualification,arangeofopportunitiesareavailabletoyou.

If you live outside the UK you should ensure that you are entitled to work in the UK before you enquire about jobs.

ACCOUNTANCY MARKET SECTORSAcareerinaccountancyoffersawidevarietyofchoiceintermsofbothjobrolesandsectors.Themainsectorsandjobrolesaredescribedinmoredetailbelow:

Introductory Certificate in Financial and Management Accounting • junioraccountsclerk/juniorbookkeeperroleinanSME

• arangeofjunioraccountingadministrationroleswithinanaccountingdepartmentofalargerorganisationorfinancialsharedservicecentre.

Intermediate Certificate in Financial and Management Accounting • abookkeepingorcostclerkroleinasmalltomediumsizeorganisation

• arangeofaccountingadministrationroleswithinanaccountingdepartmentofalargerorganisationorfinancialsharedservicecentre.

Diploma in Accounting and Business• basicbookkeeping• traineeaccountantinacommercialorganisationoraccountingpractice

• accountsclerkinpublicsector.

Advanced Diploma in Accounting and Business• awiderangingandresponsibleaccountingroleinasmalltomediumsizeorganisation

• afinancialreportingand/orfinancialdecision-supportrole,possiblyinasupervisoryrole,withinanaccountingdepartmentofalargerorganisation

• afinancialsupervisoryormanagementroleinaccountspayables/andorreceivables,orafinancialroleinfixedassetaccountingorinfinancialsharedservicecentres

• anaccountingtechnicianroleinacommercialorganisation.

CAreer proSpeCtS employABility And CAreerSguidAnCe

four mAin seCTors

1 CorporATe seCTor

2 BAnKing And finAnCiAl serviCes

3 privATe prACTiCe

4 puBliC And noT-for-profiT seCTor

The International Student Guide 1918 The International Student Guide

Thecorporatesectorgivestraineeandqualifiedaccountantsavariedcareerwithexcellentcareerprospects.Manyofthelargerinternationalcompaniesalsohaveopportunitiesforworkingabroadaspartofthetraining.

Dependingonthesizeofthecompany,youwilltypicallybeworkingaspartofateamintheaccountancydepartment.Youmaybeinvolvedin:• financialaccounting•managementaccounting• budgeting• corporateplanning• treasury• internalaudit

Thissectorisalsoreferredtoaspublicpractice.Accountantsworkinginthissectorworkforaccountingfirmsfocusedonaudit.Inthissector,youwillvisitclientsandreviewtheirbusinessoperationandfinancialaccountstoensuretheircompanyaccountsareaccurate.Servicesofferedincludeadvisory,auditandassurance,taxservicesandforensicaccounting.

Theexperienceyouwillgaininthissectorwilldifferaccordingtothesizeofthecompany.Thesecanrangefromlargeinternationalfirmswhereyouwillspecialiseinareassuchasauditandadvisory,taxorcorporatefinance,tosmallerfirmswhereyoumaybeinvolvedinawiderrole.

Careeropportunitiesinthissectorincludelocalandnationalgovernment,health,education,housingandcharities.

Inthissector,youwillprovideguidanceontax,raisingfunds,financialproblems,managementconsultancyandfinancialICTsystems.

Workingwithbudgetssetbythegovernment,youwillbelookingathowtobestallocateandmonitorresourcestoachievethemostcostefficientresult.

TheFinancialServicesSectorisextremelycompetitiveandoffersadiverserangeofopportunities.TherecentrecessionhasledtoanincreaseinspecialistrolessuchasRiskandCompliance.

AreasofemploymentwithintheFinancialServicessectorinclude:• RetailBanks/BuildingSocieties–mortgages,pensions,loans,insurance,sharesandmoneytransfers

• InvestmentBanking–corporatefinanceincludingmergers,acquisitions,bonds,equities,fundManagementandderivatives

• Insurance/Re-Insurance–financialprotectionagainstrisk

• FinancialAdvisors–providingplansforpeople’sfinancialfuture

• Brokers–buyingandsellingstocksandshares

YouwouldjointheCorporateSectoratanentrylevelrole,suchasanAccountsAssistant,whichwouldgiveyouvaluableworkexperiencewhilstyoustudytowardstheACCAQualification.AccountsAssistantshelpwithgeneralaccountingduties,suchasmaintainingthesalesandpurchaseledger,balancesheetreconciliations,trackinginvoices,andpurchaseordermaintenance.

Onceyouarepartorfullyqualified,youcanjoinacompanyasatraineeAccountant.Manyemployersoffercomprehensiveprogrammesfortrainees,whichgiveyouthesupporttoprogressinyourcareer.

Thissectorisdominatedbythe‘Big4’accountancyfirmswhoauditthemajorityofthetop100PLCs:•KPMG•Deloitte•PwC•Ernst&Young.

Competitiontoenterthe‘Big4’isfierce,butworkingforoneprovidesanexcellentgroundinginyourcareer.

Thereareotherwell-establishedfirmsbeyondtheBig4,includingGrantThorntonandBakerTilly.

• Compliance–ensuringanorganisationmeetsindustrystandardsparametersegIFRSandSarbanes-Oxley

• UnitTrusts–companiesusingportfoliomanagementandothertechniquestoearnmoneyfortheirinvestors

Thebankingandfinancesectorsoffersomeofthehighestbasicsalariescoupledwithpotentiallyveryhighbonuses.However,thisisalsomatchedwithlongworkinghoursandpressurisedworkloads.Highvulnerabilitytomarketconditionscanmakejobsecurityinthisarealow.

Inthissector,agenuineinterestinbusinessandthefinancialworldiscrucial,soyouwillneedtomonitorbusinessreports,readtheFinancialTimesandknowhowtheFTSEindexisperforming.

employABility And CAreerSguidAnCe Continued

2 BAnKing And finAnCiAl serviCes

1 CorporATe seCTor 3 privATe prACTiCe

4 puBliC And noT-for-profiT seCTor

The International Student Guide 2120 The International Student Guide

ACCounTs AssisTAnT• Maintainingthesalesandpurchaseledger

• Balancesheetreconciliations

• Trackinginvoices• Invoiceandstatementgeneration

• Assistcreditcontrollerwithinvoicequeriesanddebtmanagement

• Pettycashexpenseanalysis

• Updateactualandforecastdatainreports

• Maintainpurchaseorders• Processpayments–BACS/CHAPS,cheques,creditcards

finAnCiAl ACCounTAnT• Preparationoftheinterimandyearendfinancialstatements

• AssistingwithIFRSreporting

• Responsibleforallbalancesheetreconciliations

• Assistmanagementwithmonthendandyearendprocesses

• PreparationofVATreturns• ResponsibleforaccurateinformationtogovernmentagenciessuchastheHMRCandONS

• Liaisingwithauditors

finAnCe mAnAger• ManagetheFinanceteam’sday-to-dayoperations

• Leadanddeliverallroutinefinancialandmanagementaccounting

• Responsibleforannualandquarterlystatutoryaccounting(alsoknownasstataccounts)

• Reviewtrends/variancesofsalesforplanning,budgetingandforecasting

• Monitorandimprovefinancialsystems

• Providecommercialsupporttomanagementteamandotherdepartments

finAnCe direCTor• Overseethefinancesofacompany

• Effectivemanagementoffinanceresources

• Responsibleforminimisingcostsandimprovingmarginsacrossthebusiness

• Ensuretightcontrolsareinplaceandaccountingprinciplesadheredto

• Leadthedevelopmentofstrategicfinancialplanningandbusinessplans

• Financialreportingtohighermanagementandboard

mAnAgemenT ACCounTAnT• Responsibleforbusinessandfinancialanalysistosupportthemanagementteamwithoperationalandstrategicdecisionmaking

• Preparemonthendreportsandcommentary

• Profitabilityreporttomembersofmanagementteam

• Analysisoncostbaseandinvestigateanyvariances

• Assistinpreparationofannualbudgetsandcashflowforecasts

finAnCe AnAlysT• Preparemonthlyfinancialanalysisandcommentary

• Monthlyforecastingupdates

• Presentfinanceinformationtootherdepartments

• Produceanalysisoncostforecastsandvariances

• Assistwithannual,quarterlyandmonthlybudgeting

•AssistwithP&Lforecasting

finAnCiAl ConTroller (fC)• Supervisethequalityofaccountingandfinancialreportinginacompany

• Overseeandmonitoraccountingandinternalcontrols

• Preparefinancialstatements,budgetreports,forecasts,costanalysisreports,profitorlossstatements

• ReportunderIFRSwithinallEUcountries

• Ensureallaspectsofthecompany’sfinancesareproperlydocumented

• Makerecommendationsforfuturechangesandchallenges

exAmple of joBSAnd primAryACCountABilitieS

ThissectionhasbeenproducedbyGAAPweb,theUK’sleadingjobsiteforaccountancyandfinanceprofessionals.Wewouldliketothankthemfortheirsupport.www.gaapweb.com

22 The International Student Guide The International Student Guide 23

leAving the uKStAy in touCh

SOCIAL NETWORKSOnlinenetworkingsitessuchasTwitterandFacebookaregreatresourcestousetofindjobs.Groupsandforumscanprovideusefulaccesstoaccountancyandfinanceinformationandjobsthatmaynothavebeenadvertisedinnewspapers,tradejournalsorthroughrecruitmentconsultants.

Ourownsocialnetworksareagreatplacetostart–jointhousandsoffansonourFacebookpageorfollowusonTwitterforallthelatestnewsfromACCAUK.

BEFORE YOU LEAVE• Getcontactdetailsandreferencesfromyourlearningprovider,orintroductionstoothersinyourdestinationcountry–contactscanoftencreateopportunitiesforyou

• ResearchthebestwayofusingyourUKexperiencetoyouradvantageinyourdestinationcountry(e.g.languageskills,qualificationandcontacts).

ACCA Careerswww.accacareers.com

ACCA Computer-based exams (CBEs)www.accaglobal.com/en/student/Exams/Computer-based-exams/Preparing-cbe.html

ACCA English and maths self-check moduleswww.accaglobal.com/en/employer/supporting-trainees/check-Englishmaths.html

ACCA Exam centreswww.accaglobal.com/en/student/Exams.html

ACCA Learning Provider databaseuk.accaglobal.com/uk/learningproviders

ACCA Potential –afreeelectronicnewsletterforprospectivestudentsthatprovidesinformationandadviceaboutacareerinfinanceandaccountancy

www.accaglobal.com/en/student/publications/sa-archive.html

ACCA support servicesuk.accaglobal.com/uk/students/support_information/uk.accaglobal.com/uk/students/commercial

ACCA UKuk.accaglobal.com/

Confirmation for Acceptance for Studies (CAS)www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/

Education UKwww.educationuk.org/

Immigration Advisory Service Helpline 0844 9744000

Licenced Learning providerwww.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/employers/points/sponsoringmigrants/registerofsponsors/

myACCAwww2.accaglobal.com/members/

NUSwww.nus.org.uk

The British Councilwww.britishcouncil.org

UK Border Agency Licensed Learning Providers www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/employers/points/sponsoringmigrants/registerofsponsors/

UK Border Agency videowww.youtube.com/watch?v=XKR5dsbUCHA&feature=player_profilepage

UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA)www.ukcisa.org.uk

UK Home Office Agencywww.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/

Visit Britain www.visitbritain.com

FURTHER USEFUL INFORMATION AND WEBSITES

ACCA CONNECTWeprovidea24houraday,7daysaweek,365daysayearglobalcustomerservicescentre.YoucancontactACCAConnectbyphoneoremail,andadedicatedmemberoftheteamwillbeonhandtoansweryourqueries.

students@accaglobal.com

+44 (0)141 582 2000

WHEN YOU ARRIVE IN YOUR DESTINATION COUNTRY• NotifyACCAofyourchangeofaddressviaACCAConnectormyACCA

• ContactyourlocalACCAofficetoensureyouareuptodatewithalllocalACCAinformationandservices.

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