Accountancy jobs - what's yours?

Any

geek84 wrote: »

Hi Folks

I am on the certificate stage of the AAT and not working at the moment. I am thinking of sending out a fair amount of speculative letters to local employers in the hope of finding suitable employment (anything to do with accounts/book keeping).

I have 2 questions -

Could someone please advice what I should write in the spec letter (cover letter)? I want to ideally highlight the things I have learned in the course so far, but they are already covered in the CV!

After I have produced the letters, hopefully via merge mail, does anybody know of any typing services, or similar, who could print all those letters out for me on a good quality printer?

Thanks in advance.

I would just write something along the lines that you are passionate about finding career in finance, hence the start of studying towards the relevant finance qualification (which you have started and you are currently self financing-that according to my boss distinguished me from other candidates) and are now looking for relevant role to add experience behind that qualification.

geek84

Hi

Many thanks for you advice, Any.

Would you kind folks out there like to add any further comments?

Thanks

timnicebutdim_2

Hi, I've been doing this all weekend! I've found the following useful:

http://www.gaapweb.com/CareerLaunch/default.aspx

http://www.open.ac.uk/careers/applying-for-jobs.php

runninglea

Hi - i'm acca qualified.

Worked for a practise for 10 years now go around different companies doing their day to day accounts and year end ready for the auditors.

There seem to be plenty of basic book keeping vacancies, if you can do sage, a bit of payroll then you will be in demand

geek84

Hi Folks

Thanks for your replies.

Yes, I know there are jobs out there for book keepers, but they mostly seem to be part time and the problem I am having at the moment is getting that first job without any previous experience!

What would you advice I do which would increase my chances?

Thank You.

runninglea

write to all local accountancy firms with your current cv and where you are in your studies.

Follow this up with a phonecall - dont wait for their replies, take the lead yourself.

Most firms take on juniors every year - just be prepared to not get paid very much

Any

I second what Runninglea said..
Practices are your best bet.

professionalaccountant

If you want to study ACA, i.e. the chartered qualification then you have to be in practice and then move in to industry. ACA is a practice based qualification. By the way, if you study and qualify ACCA you won't be a chartered accountant, you will be a Charetered Certified accountant - there is a difference.

Good luck in whatever you choose though.

MoneySavingUser

Some industry firms offer ACA such as Barclays, HSBC, Santander, Centrica etc. though they are very few places compared to practice ACA vacancies

Yes their is a difference - but not as much as it used to be - experience matters the most!

Any

MoneySavingUser wrote: »

Some industry firms offer ACA such as Barclays, HSBC, Santander, Centrica etc. though they are very few places compared to practice ACA vacancies

Yes their is a difference - but not as much as it used to be - experience matters the most!

I completely agree... there isn't such a difference as there used to be..

Even some of the big 10 accountancy companies now send people on ACCA courses rather then ACA..