acca starter

barrywhittakerbmw

sweety_1 wrote: »

Hello all,
I just started acca and did my f 1.I am preparing for f 2 and f 3 at the moment and going to finish them by june.I am going to be made redundant somewhere in may.My current job is admin asst.Because I am losing my job I would prefer getting my first step in accountancy.I would like some of ur advice on this please and where is the best place to start?I called up few firms locally,left my details for any voluntary work.Any ideas would be helpful.
TIA,
Sweety 1.

After reading through all the comments, I can only suggest that you take up an internship or volunteer for an organization to gain experience. However, if you get an entry level job while doing your course, then start with it and try to learn as much as possible and get practical experience. During these times, do not expect the job to pay you much. But if you can live off it and learn at the same time, then it will definitely help you. I was helping out a relative in basic office accounting, which I have shown as work experience on my cv, and it has worked for me!

Kynthia

OP, try to get any kind of experience you can right now. Does where you work now have finance type tasks you could take on such as authorising invoices, handling the imprest, calculating expenses, etc? Do you belong to a social club or interest group of some kind as you could be their treasurer; collect the subs and do the books?

Look for entry level jobs descriped above such as accounts payable, finance assistant/clerk, etc. Almost every company has a finance department and the public sector does too such as schools, council, police, etc.

If you're doing well with your ACCA exams then don't let circumstances hold you up, as those who take a break often end up not going back to studying for longer than they expect (if at all). There are lots of providers who provider cheaper distance learning or online classes and many people self study.

barrywhittakerbmw

sweety_1 wrote: »

Thanks heretolearn for ur reply.I ll stop calling the firms then.I ll concentrate on my papers and try to get a basic role.I am a graduate but dont know if it would make any difference since it has been 10yrs and its from India.

AAT might have been a better route. But since you have already started now, do not discontinue. Have you checked if your friends or relatives own small firm? You could probably help them out while studying accounting and show it as an experience in your CV. Have your tried contacting NGO's or the local church? they can always use some helping hand (free or part-paid) and you could use some experience from the work

sweety_1

Thanku guys for ur input.Passed my 2nd exam and onto f3 now.Since its school hols am going to look for roles for sept start meanwhile ll prepare for my f3.
AAT would definitely have been better option.My friend is doing it.But since I hv made up my mind to do ACCA thought its better to start now.I am definitely struggling with the course its v hard but hopefully if I get something I ll be able to pay for my dec exams.


@Kynthia U r right there are lots of study options.I am following Opentuition and bought the e books from BPP.Thanks 4 the encouragement.I ll try not to give up now.Regarding work I have some experience have to put it in a different way did a bit of invoicing but worried abt reference cos its basically an admin role.


@barrywhittakerbmw my partner knows an accountant where I might end up asking for some voluntary work in sep.Cant start now (been made redundant so jobless now) but hopefully in sep.I ll chk at my local church as well.Thats a good idea.

Thanku guys.ll keep u posted if I get somethg.