Help. Need advice on accessing accountancy.

cc1983_2

Hi there, I'm currently on maternity leave from my job as a hairdresser, however I would like to get into accountancy. I am fairly intelligent, very quick at learning and highly motivated. My problem is this; How do I go about changing? Ideally I would like to start studying now to stop my brain from becoming a mush of mummyness, is this a bad idea? Should I try applying for jobs within accountancy firms? How likely would they be to employ me part time ? If I did study (and it would be distance or online) who is best...... It seems like there are a million and one training providers.
Ideally I would like to become a chartered accountant in my own right one day ...
Sorry this is a bit rambly, but any help would be greatly appreciated.

InsideInsurance

When you say you want to get into accountancy, what do you actually mean? Do you want to become a qualified accountant? A book keeper? a.n.other?

saintjammyswine

Contact your local FE College as they may offer the AAT course which starts at Level 1 (very basic intro) through to Level 4. There may be funding options as well.

cc1983_2

My local colleges offer some courses, but lvl 2 is over a year (level 2-3 was suggested on the AAT skillcheck) , I work much faster than that.
Its most probable that an online course is best suited to me, its just there are SO MANY providers and accreditors.... and prices.

cc1983_2

InsideInsurance wrote: »

When you say you want to get into accountancy, what do you actually mean? Do you want to become a qualified accountant? A book keeper? a.n.other?

Essentially I wish to work my way into the best paid option. Chartered accountant seems like the point to aim for?

runninglea

Have you looked at BPP for training?

Where, in your actual knowledge, are you at? Can you produce a trial balance and journals etc

InsideInsurance

cc1983 wrote: »

Essentially I wish to work my way into the best paid option

So the CFO of a multinational corporation then? Work 28 hours a day 8 days a week, a mountain of money as a salary and no time to spend any of it

Assuming you have no basic training then your local further education should do some basic courses towards an accountancy technician. In an ideal world you'd then start working for a company that would very kindly sponsor you to do the rest of the training whilst you worked in exchange for you staying on for a couple of years afterwards but I am not sure theyd do it for a part timer and not sure if you would want to do part time work plus study plus new parenthood

saintjammyswine

cc1983 wrote: »

My local colleges offer some courses, but lvl 2 is over a year (level 2-3 was suggested on the AAT skillcheck) , I work much faster than that.
Its most probable that an online course is best suited to me, its just there are SO MANY providers and accreditors.... and prices.

You can go from L1 to Level 4 fast-track in 1 year provided you are able/willing to put the work in.

Check PM.

heretolearn_2

Hi OP,

The first thing you need to do is identify what type of accountant you want to be. There are three main types of 'chartered' accountants in the UK. ACA, ACCA, CIMA. Although CIMA is designed for those working as 'in house' accountants rather than at an accountancy firm. So if that is what you want, look at ACA and ACCA and their entry requirements/pathways through training.

AAT is a popular route in, and might be the way that suits you best at the moment, and it gives you a route into full ACCA (not sure about ACA) as well.

I don't see much point in applying for any jobs yet, until you get a decent level of qualification under your belt. Experience is also important in getting that first job so when you are part way through your training it's a good idea to look for work experience/voluntary positions.

These days it is not realistic to expect to join a firm and have them pay for your training, I'm afraid, even the major firms have either stopped this completely, suspended their schemes, or massively reduced them. Small firms don't usually do this. To be honest with you there is a huge oversupply of fully-qualified but no experience accountants trying to get the entry level jobs as it is, so firms don't need to go to the expense and trouble any more.

Avoid accountancy degrees if anyone suggests that, they don't qualify you fully, take a long time and cost you a fortune, and it's not a good route compared to doing the professional qualifications.

persa

heretolearn wrote: »

There are three main types of 'chartered' accountants in the UK. ACA, ACCA, CIMA. Although CIMA is designed for those working as 'in house' accountants rather than at an accountancy firm. So if that is what you want, look at ACA and ACCA and their entry requirements/pathways through training

Slight correction.

There are three main types of 'chartered' accountants in the UK: CAs, ACAs and ACMAs. They belong to ICAS, ICAEW and CIMA.

ACCAs are 'chartered certified', which many employers now treat equally to 'chartered' status, but I do know ACCA qualified people who say they've had a different experience in the marketplace.

ACMAs tend to be accountants. It's unusual to find them doing anything else.

ACCAs may work in accountancy or tax.

CAs and ACAs are more diverse creatures - you can find them working in tax, accountancy or audit. Taking the CA or ACA route certainly leaves you with more options, particularly if you do audit training. It's easy enough to move from audit into tax, harder the other way round.

You can't self study for the CA or ACA qualification, you need a training firm to sponsor you. That's probably why ACCA has gained so much popularity recently.

pleasedelete

What gcse and a levels do you have ? Do you have a good degree from a Russell group university?
How old are you? How mobile are you?
What is your salary ambition? What do you think is a good salary for an accountant?

You don't really tell us enough to advise?