career change AAT course

amylou999

Just wondered if anyone could offer any advice through experience. I'm currently working in the NHS as a nurse, but to be honest i'm starting to dislike it massively- one of the main reasons i'm sticking with it is that i have a young child is that they are flexible about my hours and how i work them and the other reason is that i'd be nervous about giving up a job with regular (& reasonable) pay.

I thinking about going back to college 1 day a week to do AAT level 2 accounting (&maybe 3 after) as its something i've previously quite enjoyed (only at a basic bookkeeping non paid level as a favour for my sister years ago) but i have no real practical experience and am worried about the possibilities of a job at the end of it, especially as i'd really want to be working part time.

Has anyone done anything similar in the past?I've read many good things about the AAT course but most people seem to be already working in the field prior to starting the course.

saintjammyswine

It is well recognised in the industry, the main obstacle is getting some work experience to add to the qualification. Contact AAT or your local FE College.

relic

AAT is your basic qualification, and most accounts assistant and bookkeeping roles will ask for it.

Try and do some basic volunteering work for experience (and a reference) if you have the time. You should have no problem working part time, a lot of companies look for book keepers who work 16/24hrs a week.

Just make sure it's something you want to get into

katebl

Hi amylou, I'm studying AAT and at the moment doing voluntary accounts for a charity, my job isn't really related to accounts but I have been for interviews and been offered an accounts position, I just decided against taking it for now as it was a bit of a pay cut. Part time work shouldn't be difficult to come by but I'd definitely recommend volunteering too!

geek84

Hi

I am also doing the AAT, but out of work at the moment. I was made redundant from my credit control job last year - that was when I decided to do the AAT.

Can someone please suggest any ideas of how to get suitable accounts work experience?

How do I go about volunteering? Shall I just write to all charities in my local region?

Thanks in advance.

geek84

Hi

Can anybody offer any advice on this?

Tixy

What sort of area of accounts would you like to go into? practice? another industry job?
How much accounting was there as part of your credit control job if any?

You could contact local accountants practices to see if they would consider you for some work experience (quite handy as it gets your name to them and then if they have AAT level jobs come up they'll consider you). A lot of places will take work experience people for a couple of weeks or so through the summer -often a level/uni students admittedly but not only.

You could also keep an eye out in the local papers and local newsletters for charities advertising for bookkeepers or even treasuers. And ask your AAT college or tutors if they know of anywhere they could recommend. If you have any family members friends running their own small business you could offer to do their bookkeeping for them for free - sell it to them that it will save them time and will help your CV. But I would only conisder doing the bookkeeping not their annual accounts/tax returns whilst you are studying.

Mummy2Olivia

Hardest bit is getting the job. Passed my level 2 in 2000. Never got an accounts job and couldnt afford to continue studies on my wage.