A Levels – it’s that time of year again

For the past two years, Adam Slater has been working towards his A Levels. Now that he has finished, he looks to start a career in accountancy with the help of a Kaplan scholarship and traineeship at RSM Tenon.

For the past two years, I have been working towards my A Levels in history, business economics and physical education at my sixth form in Leeds. Like many people of my age I have also spent time deciding what I want to do with my life and the best course of action for me – something which is quite daunting, as it’s hard to think about the future when you’re only 18.

I had always been good at maths and so I felt I should think about a career which would utilise these skills. I applied for university to study accounting and finance and had a few offers of places. However, the debt that I would be getting myself into worried me. I also worried that my parents would be making sacrifices to help support me financially.

I found out about an accountancy scholarship run through Kaplan where all your training (AAT and choice of further professional qualification) is paid for and you are given support to find a job. I thought about my university applications and whilst the thought of student life appealed, I also realised I would still have to do my professional qualifications after graduating so I came to the conclusion that the scholarship would offer me better prospects. It felt like a fantastic opportunity and one I was keen to take advantage of.

There is quite a rigorous application process including a panel interview – but I’m glad to say I was successful. I feel really proud of myself as well as privileged and I really believe this will help me to stand out from the crowd.

I was also lucky enough to get a job as an AAT Trainee at RSM Tenon in Leeds and will start work and my AAT training in September. My goal is to become a chartered accountant and work with multinational companies offering them advice. Accountancy is a profession with lots of options and one where you can work all over the world so I am excited about the journey ahead. I also feel really lucky to have a job and the chance to learn at the same time without the thought of debt hanging over me.

My advice to anyone leaving school or in sixth form at the moment is to keep as many options open as possible. I really wouldn’t discredit anything until you know for certain what it is what you want to do. I would also speak to friends or someone who has followed a similar career path to the one you are interested in and see what their preferred option would have been in hindsight. Try and weigh up the positives and the negatives and look at your decisions objectively. There is a lot of pressure to go to university but these days there are other alternatives available which could potentially benefit you even more in the long run so don’t be afraid to go against the grain. I found lots of people gave me lots of good advice – but always remember the final decision is up to you.

This Wednesday 15 August at 1pm, AAT will be hosting a live televised Q&A on www.facebook.com/yourAAT about alternatives to university and where our qualification can take you. Harry Collins, PKF and Emma Mason, Baker Tilly will be talking about their journey with AAT and Aimee Bateman, AAT’s career coach will be giving tips on how best to secure a job.

If you or anyone you know have any questions about AAT, studying after leaving school, alternatives to university, or finding your first job, please submit them on our Facebook page and we will do our best to answer them live on air.

Adam Slater is a former AAT Student and writer.