Do You Need an Accounting Degree to Work in the UK?

When people think about working in accounting, they often imagine years at university, studying for an accounting degree. But is that really the only way to start a career in accounting in the UK? The short answer is: no, you don’t always need a degree.

Let’s break it down in simple terms.

Studying accounting at university can be a great option, especially if you enjoy full-time study and want a strong academic background. With an accounting degree you:

• Learn the theory behind finance, business, and accounting.
  
• Build analytical and problem-solving skills.
  
• May get exemptions from some professional exams later on (depending on the course and university).
  

But a degree also takes 3–4 years and comes with tuition fees. That’s why many people look for alternative routes.

In the UK, you don’t need a degree to work in accounting. What employers really value is practical knowledge, professional qualifications, and experience.

There are two main routes into accounting without a degree:

1. Professional Qualifications

Bodies like AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians), ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants), and ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales) offer qualifications that are well recognised by UK employers.

• You can start with AAT even without prior experience.
  
• From there, you can progress to higher-level qualifications (like ACCA or CIMA). 

2. Apprenticeships

Accounting apprenticeships are popular in the UK. They allow you to:

• Work for an employer.
  
• Study for a qualification (often AAT).
  
• Earn while you learn. 

This is a great option if you want hands-on experience straight away.

Whether you have a degree or not, UK employers usually look for:

• Good numeracy skills.
  
• Attention to detail.
  
• Strong communication and organisation skills.
  
• A willingness to keep learning (since accounting involves ongoing study).
  

So even if you don’t have a university degree, building up these skills and gaining qualifications can get you into the industry.

• With a degree: Sarah studied Accounting & Finance at university, then joined a graduate scheme at a big firm like PwC.
  
• Without a degree: James left school after A-Levels, did an AAT qualification, and now works as an accounts assistant in a local practice, studying ACCA part-time.
  

Both Sarah and James are on their way to becoming qualified accountants—the path is just different.

It depends on your situation:

• If you want the university experience and can afford the time and cost, a degree can open doors.
  
• If you want to get into work quickly or avoid student debt, professional qualifications and apprenticeships are excellent routes.

In the UK, an accounting degree isn’t a must-have. Employers care more about your qualifications, skills, and experience than whether you’ve spent three years at university.

So whether you choose the degree path, an apprenticeship, or professional qualifications like AAT and ACCA, you can build a solid and rewarding career in accounting.

No degree? No problem. Start your accounting career with the AAT qualification and gain the skills UK employers are looking for.