Accounting qualifications - but want a change in career

EllaBeagle

I have upto a Level 3 Diploma in Accounting but would like to branch out to a totally different career. I was wondering if I could use these qualifications towards becoming a teacher or something different? Not really sure what until I know what careers these qualifications could be used in.

If anyone has any advice or ideas of how I can use them that would be great.

dizzyrascal

You will need a degree to become a teacher. You could talk to the OU about credit transfer and see what they could offer you. To be honest I'm not sure from your description, what level you have or how much.
In general most people get offered the equivalent of the first year of study so you would need to gain a further 240 credits to get an honours degree. You will be offered credits in a related subject (they need to be a similar subject matter and level) but you could top up with any subject.
This all assumes that you want to study further. I think that to change your career you will need to consider getting further qualifications.
If you want to teach secondary, in general, you would need a degree in the subject you intend to teach, or at least 50% of your degree. Then a PGCE for 1 year after graduating. (possibly funded). The plan is that all teachers will be educated to masters level soon, so this may add on a further year.
At the moment the government is giving good funding to maths, science and engineering graduates. But all that could change, the rules are a bit fluid at the moment and I wouldn't rely on it. What they want this year may be completely different in 6 - 12months time.
Also, teaching is a vocation and hard to stick at if you are not totally committed. Approximately 50% of teachers leave within 2 -3 years of qualifying. What I mean is that trying to match your qualifications to a possible career might not be the right way to change tack.
Maybe you should think about your stronger skills and then look at how to use them. By analysing your strengths and weaknesses you might see how they would fit into a new career. Try and find a free personality types dynamic indicator test online. It should help

RedSoleShoes

dizzyrascal wrote: »

You will need a degree to become a teacher.

You only need a degree for the compulsory education sector (ie. 5-16).

You can teach without a degree in FE establishments, however you need to be qualified to at least the level you want to teach. You may need higher quals just to beat the competition. You would also need to do the course Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector but lots of colleges allow you to do this once they have recruited you.

dizzyrascal

RedSoleShoes wrote: »

You only need a degree for the compulsory education sector (ie. 5-16).

You can teach without a degree in FE establishments, however you need to be qualified to at least the level you want to teach. You may need higher quals just to beat the competition. You would also need to do the course Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector but lots of colleges allow you to do this once they have recruited you.

Sorry, the above is true but for something like accountancy you are likely to be up against someone with a degree and possibly post-grad qualifications as well as say a PGCE - FE. They may also have some industry experience. (possibly many years)
For teaching NVQ level qualifications you might get away without a degree.
I would say though that FE jobs have been diminishing and they often have short or fixed contracts and much tighter budgets compared to HE. Therefore there might be a lot of well qualified people chasing very few jobs. I know many people who work in FE that feel very insecure at the moment.
A lot depends on whether your courses get repeated and if there is seen to be a need. Current climate with HE and fees may have a knock-on effect on some FE courses.

EllaBeagle

Thanks for your replies.

I don´t think I explained myself very well in my post. I meant could I use my qualifications to start studying something else, not use them in applying for a totally different career sorry.

I would be interested in becoming maybe a primary school teacher, secondary maths teacher or as I´ve worked in construction before doing accounts I´d be interested in doing something to do with construction maybe in costing etc.

dizzyrascal

This will depend on where you live but there are two year degrees with Qualified teacher status (QTS) in subjects like maths and engineering for people who already have the equivalent of at least 120 credits of university level education. You will have to check with the HE provider you want to go to as to whether your current qualifications would be acceptable. There aren't many of these courses but it might be an option for you if can get them to take your qualifications.
These courses are designed specifically for people from "Industry" hence the shortcut route.
Obviously you would have to make sure you are happy with 2012 fees but as an undergrad you should be able to access loans and bursaries like any other undergrad.
You might also qualify for the golden handshakes currently being offered by the government when you qualify. The rules change on these all the time though so don't count on it.

barrywhittakerbmw

EllaBeagle wrote: »

Thanks for your replies.

I don´t think I explained myself very well in my post. I meant could I use my qualifications to start studying something else, not use them in applying for a totally different career sorry.

I would be interested in becoming maybe a primary school teacher, secondary maths teacher or as I´ve worked in construction before doing accounts I´d be interested in doing something to do with construction maybe in costing etc.

Ella, have you considered management accounting? If you have done level 3, then you might be exempt for some courses? I am not sure, if that works, but its worth finding out. As far as my knowledge goes, after completing AAT, you get exemptions for certain subjects under ACCA.

Whichever case, I personally believe it depends upon the sector or industry you want to work in. For being a primary school teacher, the level 3 certification might be sufficient. But if you want to grow and work for a bigger business, then you will need better certifications. Does this help?