Is a career in Accounts an option?

User_Bob

Hello,

I am pretty desperate to get a job. Recently been made redundant after 35 yrs in work, wrong side of 50 etc. Anyway, no sob-story, lets keep +ve.

What I would like to ask is, how vibrant is the Accounts job market? I have O levels, A levels and a degree, Good Customer Service skills, IT, Line Management, and common-sense.

Willing to train from scratch (at my own expense) with AAT level 2 and above, are there jobs available (still) in Accounts ?? Payroll ??

Many Many Thanks for any relevant input.

UserBob

TrickyDicky101

There will always be jobs in accountancy, particularly at the AAT market you would be targeting. However, I think the problem you will face is lack of experience at your age in this career path. You may find that this acts as an impossible barrier to breach so i would make sure you do your research first before committing to any training/courses. Frequently, many smaller local charitable organisations may have a requirement for Treasurers and accounts personnel (probably on a voluntary basis); if you can afford the time, it might well be worth your while offering to assist to gain some (non-paid) experience - I think you would probably want to combine this with your AAT course or similar.

MoneySavingUser

Have a look at: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2406529

and

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3522207

creditcard123

As previous post said your lack of experience will be a problem as an employer would rather take on someone with no qualifications but plenty of experience.
I worked in Accountancy for over 20 years with no qualifications but could complete a set of accounts, tax returns and vat returns , work on audits but not sign off, deal with clients and HMRC and banks . So basically everything a Chartered Accountant can do apart from tricky tax queries and signing off on audits. This suited me I didn't want the responsibilty (I have enough at home;)) my boss kept on at me to get qualified but its not what I want to do. So as of 30th September I am unemployed:T or a "Lady that lunches" as i like to say:).

Any way back to User bob you could always go out on your own. You do not need to be a Chartered Accountant to open your own practice. You stick to self employed companies and small limited companies and personal tax returns,if you get enough clients you could make it work because you would be cheaper than larger firms and at the moment everyone is looking to save money.

Good Luck

hcb42

try the hotel industry. Anyone with a working knowledge of accounts and IT support would be most welcome in most large international hotels.

At the very least it would relieve me of some of the IT pressure having an ally in another department!!! (and not being an IT manager myself!)

heretolearn_2

I personally wouldn't recommend trying to get into this at this point in your life. It takes most people a couple of years to get to AAT Level 4 (which is realistically where you need to be) and even then the number of qualified AND experienced people desperate for a job right now make it hard to get that first post.

Any time we have an accountant's job at any level, but especially entry level, we get flooded with applicants. The last person we took on had AAT level 4 and then had paid a firm to go and do work experience with them for 6 months, as she just couldn't get anywhere with just the qualification. It's a common problem. We have a queue of people asking to come and do unpaid work experience with us as well (but we can't offer that). To put it in perspective, for her bookkeepers job we had applications from fully qualified and experienced ACCA and ACA accountants, people with accounting degrees and MBAs, all sorts.

Competition in this field is really tough.

User_Bob

heretolearn wrote: »

.

Competition in this field is really tough.

Thank you for your honesty. I suspected as much, it seems to be the case in all areas at the moment.

My background is HR / Management Development and I'm getting nowhere there either as everyone and his dog seems to want to move into HR (God knows why ?) and I'm getting the typical............"we have found someone whose skillset more closely matches our requirements" letter everyday.

Trouble is I am too honest. When asked what level my Powerpoint skills were recently I said Intermediate. Bet your bottom dollar the person who got the job said Advanced and then went on a crash course for Powerpoint the very next day !!

Anyway an interview this afternoon with "Next Step" at the local college to see what they can offer. I'm determined not to get put onto the scrap heap whenI still feel I've got so much to offer.

Good Luck to all those in my position too !

heretolearn_2

Good luck with it all, Im sure that with your experience and attitude you will get somewhere. It is much the same in all industries right now, but I get the feeling that out of the 'professions', accountants and solicitors are being hit hard right now. Lots of accounting firms and solicitors firms are closing down and while, yes, there is always a need for qualified people, right now there's a huge oversupply of those qualified people. I'd be reluctant to invest a lot of time and money entering into that free for all.

ultrarunner

You mentioned payroll - outsourcing is in, so those who work in-house are often at the risk of redundancy.

Being a beginner in payroll would likely make working in a payroll bureau environment difficult, as trainee positions are not common.

barrywhittakerbmw

User_Bob wrote: »

Hello,

I am pretty desperate to get a job. Recently been made redundant after 35 yrs in work, wrong side of 50 etc. Anyway, no sob-story, lets keep +ve.

What I would like to ask is, how vibrant is the Accounts job market? I have O levels, A levels and a degree, Good Customer Service skills, IT, Line Management, and common-sense.

Willing to train from scratch (at my own expense) with AAT level 2 and above, are there jobs available (still) in Accounts ?? Payroll ??

Many Many Thanks for any relevant input.

UserBob

There will always be jobs in accountancy and it has always been a lucrative market. Every firm needs certified and qualified accountants. I am studying so that I could help out my dad's firm. And, it is never too late to learn and gain new skills. In fact, if you ask me such conditions bring out the best in a person! Now that you know that you do not have an option, you will probably try to give it your best shot.

Start off with AAT level 2 (as you have decided) and work your way up. Meanwhile (and i always suggest this in every post) try to get a part-time job by helping out voluntarily at your local store, NGO or a self help group in their accounts and finance. I think you will make enough to sustain till you get a real job. Since, the certifications will take you at least a couple of years to complete, these will count as work experience and will surely help you in your job hunt. And, it is not a bad idea to probably freelance for small firms, or even your family, friends and other contacts and offer to do their accounts or financial statements (not at the higher level though!). This will definitely help you get some real life experience into accounting. Have you finalized where you will be studying it from? Full-time at the uni or part-time distance learning?