Is this a realistic way of becoming an Accountant?

Starblossom

Thank you all for your generous advice. Ive got some looking into and thinking about to do now.

I know its going to be a long slog, but I am prepared for that. I am hard working and manage my time effectively.

Thank you again for your time, I am very grateful.

I am off to look at links.

Thanks x

MoneySavingUser

Carl31 wrote: »

if you wish to be professionally qualified, AAT alone would not be enough, and you would have to continue with ACA/ACCA/CIMA or one of the other professional quals, depending on where and how you wish to work once qualified.

In order to be a 'qualified accountant' you would need to do a further course - but you don't always have to

If working in industry some people just do their AAT and then move their way up with just that (you aren't going to become Finance Director this way but it depends on what you want from your career)

In practice AAT have a members in practice scheme - http://www.aat.org.uk/content/item1769/

Yes ACCA/CIMA etc. all have mature student entry routes aswell, which you should look into as part of your research, but AAT tends to provide a better base to build upon and more flexibility (plus the costs for ACCA etc. can be higher if you don't have a firm sponsoring you)

barrywhittakerbmw

Starblossom wrote: »

Hi

I am new to the site and would like it if I could get some opinions on my future planning.

A little background. I have recently become divorced after leaving an abusive marriage. I am now happily raising my 4 small children on my own. Unfortunately I was a SAHM when I left so no job to help, so have had to go on benefits. I have been looking for a job/jobs that would pay my bills but none for what I am qualified for even cover the cost of childcare. I have been thinking of how I can improve this and be able to support my children myself decently.

My experience is in Accounts. I have worked in Accounts departments in small companies for over 10 years, but the work was fairly basic: Purchase Ledger, Sales Ledger, Petty Cash. I do like working with figures and always liked these jobs, so I figured going to the top will give me the oppurtunity to support my family and career satisfaction.

How to get there? I would love to do my degree, but the childcare issues at this time make it too hard. So I thought while I am at home with my children I could study for the IAB qualifications in Manual book-keeping and any other (payroll for example). Then when my youngest is in school I can try to get a job as a book-keeper and earn a bit more than my previous jobs and gain experience.

I thought then I could try and get a job as a Book-Keeper in an Accountants and do my degree part time and take it from there.

Is this realistic?

Thank you for reading this I look forward to your replies.

A small piece of advice. Since you have kids, take up distance learning, a part-time or full time job, complete your studies and work and get a certification in either accounts or book-keeping. This will solve most of your worries. Instead of doing your course from OU, target AAT or ACCA and that will do you a lot better than OU. I went with HLC for my AAT and would advise you to go through your options before deciding on the course and the provider. Since you already have experience, it won't be too difficult for you to get a proper job in a proper accounting firm. And, then you will also have a proper accounting certification from a "proper college" Just saying.

heretolearn_2

I think you are in a great position for this.

There are squillions of newly qualified accountants/bookkeepers out there who can't get the first job because of lack of experience. You have some relevant experience, back that up now with professional qualifications and you should do well.

I agree with the others, forget the degree, it's quite a poor route in as you still have to do professional exams and an accounting degree will only get you partway there. I personally feel that the kids who go straight from school to accounting degree are being conned rather, as they won't get a job in accounts just with that.

AAT is a great route in, you can continue to ACCA later if you wish, but there's lots of jobs for AAT level 3/4s.