How to hide my degree from my cv? - Accounting graduate - long and boring

CaramelBiscuits

Hi everyone,

I've got 2 questions! help me with either... all help is appreciated!

I graduated in the summer with an accounting degree and i find it pretty much useless in this sector except for the exemptions... but they're useless if no one will take you on!

Anyway, I fell into the trap of doing an accounting degree and thinking it will help me get a job in this sector.. when all you need is experience.
So its kinda ranked the same as film studies! :eek:

So right now, I am stuck between having a degree and not enough UCAS points and some even ask for a grade B in English language GCSE, I only got a C.
Then those jobs that do not require your UCAS points want some experience.
(One job i found wanted you to have a 2.2 degree and under 240 ucas points. If you got higher than those requirements you wont be considered and asked to apply for the other programme which they had. I looked it up and found it was 2.1+ with 300 ucas points.
So i couldnt do either due to my ucas points!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :mad:)

1. I am thinking of omitting my degree from my cv and hopefully do some of those jobs that include AAT training or just a basic ledger job, for short term job experience.

So how do i go about filling the 3 year gap and is it "illegal" to withhold information from the company?

P.S: I know i am kinda picky on the type of accounting job i want, since i do not want to go into auditing or advisory!


2. My second question is, if decided to volunteer to gain some experience. Where do i actually start?
Do I ask the big 4 if they will take me on?
Do I ask mid tier firms?
Do I ask small local firms?
Do I ask banks?

How long do volunteering roles last for? Or it depends on what they offer you?
Do i get to pick what sector i want to volunteer in? or will they just stick me in auditing?

Or should i just go and do AAT in college? or some certificate courses like Sage/payroll etc to prove my knowledge?

Thanks for reading!

heretolearn_2

Hi,
I'm sorry you found this out the hard way, that an accounting degree doesn't qualify you in accounting any more than a law degree qualifies you as a lawyer. If you want to work in accounting, you really have no option but to go for professional qualifications now. Your degree should get you exemptions from some papers, so it's not going to be completely wasted, is it.

ACCA is a good route. It allows exemptions on the fundamental level of papers (not the higher professional level). There are 9 fundamental papers. Some degrees will give exemption on all 9, so you need to find out exactly how your degree fits in with their requirements. You might be half-way there already, and you'll find it easier to find work as a part-qualified ACCA.

TEDDYRUKSPIN

Quick question? What grade did you obtain from your degree?

(1) It seems you are trying to apply for at least graduate jobs which require the highest calibre to get in. From experience, it is very difficult to even get passed the application stage. So keep on trying.

(2) If you can, you should start paying for your own professional exams now. i.e. Kaplan etc.... This will giving you an added advantage on your CV. Passing some of the modules will increase your chance as well.

Hammyman

Just like to point out that if you don't put the degree down on an application or supporting CV and the employer later finds out, in most cases its Gross Misconduct and open to instant dismissal...

MrsManda

Hammyman wrote: »

Just like to point out that if you don't put the degree down on an application or supporting CV and the employer later finds out, in most cases its Gross Misconduct and open to instant dismissal...

Why? Surely you don't have to put all of your qualifications on a CV/application? (Unless the job requires you not to have a degree) - I only ask because although I don't yet have a degree, I don't put all my qualifications on my job applications/CV, I just put those relevant to the job I'm applying to.

Owain_Moneysaver

If you want to volunteer for experience then many charities would welcome a volunteer in their offices. It will probably be basic book-keeping work, batching and banking donations, etc.

But it would give you real world work experience and it would help fill the gap on the CV.

aveylee

You could consider applying for the local government trainee accountant scheme which is currently recruiting. Google Finance the Future.
You only need a 2:2 or above degree in any discipline, but a degree in accountancy is considered a plus; and experience while useful is not essential.
Starting salary in the region of £25,000 to £30,000, training expenses towards the CIPFA qualification (which is a CCAB qualification) paid.
Competition is tough but don't give up hope of qualifying as a Chartered Accountant. If you can't get a job like the one above you should consider gaining experience at a junior level and working up.
Remember your degree is a PLUS, but unfortunately no longer a guarantee to a good job immediately.

CaramelBiscuits

heretolearn wrote: »

Hi,
I'm sorry you found this out the hard way, that an accounting degree doesn't qualify you in accounting any more than a law degree qualifies you as a lawyer. If you want to work in accounting, you really have no option but to go for professional qualifications now. Your degree should get you exemptions from some papers, so it's not going to be completely wasted, is it.

ACCA is a good route. It allows exemptions on the fundamental level of papers (not the higher professional level). There are 9 fundamental papers. Some degrees will give exemption on all 9, so you need to find out exactly how your degree fits in with their requirements. You might be half-way there already, and you'll find it easier to find work as a part-qualified ACCA.

Hey heretolearn, i did consider the option to pay for my own exemptions.. however when i directly asked ACCA about this, they told me that there is benefit in doing this because i would only become an "affiliate" not a "part qualified". I need some experience by a reputable company to make me a "part qualified".

TEDDYRUKSPIN wrote: »

Quick question? What grade did you obtain from your degree?

(1) It seems you are trying to apply for at least graduate jobs which require the highest calibre to get in. From experience, it is very difficult to even get passed the application stage. So keep on trying.

(2) If you can, you should start paying for your own professional exams now. i.e. Kaplan etc.... This will giving you an added advantage on your CV. Passing some of the modules will increase your chance as well.

1. I got a first, however i feel like i shouldn't have even bothered because if i got a 2.2 i could have applied for those jobs who do not request such a high ucas point entry requirement.
2. i think i got about roughly 7/8 exemptions but again, i will only become an affiliate not a part qualified if i went down this route.

Thanks for your suggestions! *presses thanks button *

CaramelBiscuits

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

If you want to volunteer for experience then many charities would welcome a volunteer in their offices. It will probably be basic book-keeping work, batching and banking donations, etc.

But it would give you real world work experience and it would help fill the gap on the CV.

Yeah, i really should fill the gap that is rapidly forming ensure that i can get something solid before the next graduates start applying for immediate start roles!

aveylee wrote: »

You could consider applying for the local government trainee accountant scheme which is currently recruiting. Google Finance the Future.
You only need a 2:2 or above degree in any discipline, but a degree in accountancy is considered a plus; and experience while useful is not essential.
Starting salary in the region of £25,000 to £30,000, training expenses towards the CIPFA qualification (which is a CCAB qualification) paid.
Competition is tough but don't give up hope of qualifying as a Chartered Accountant. If you can't get a job like the one above you should consider gaining experience at a junior level and working up.
Remember your degree is a PLUS, but unfortunately no longer a guarantee to a good job immediately.

Thank you for this, i will take a look now.

If all else fails, I'm going to start stacking shelves and tell them i am a college leaver. :T

vaporate

Why should you not include your degree on your CV?

If the employer has a erratic problem then they can 'jog on'.

Judith_W

Is it worth asking the company with the two training schemes about the gap, and whether you would be allowed to apply to the lower one. Also, I don't know anything about the area, but could you do more qualifications to get the additional UCAS points in a relatively short period of time (what about general studies etc)? This would then allow you to go for the higher training course