Developing a career in accountancy - please advice

geek84

Hi
AP007

Thanks for your quick response.

I have finished the AAT course now - up to level 4

AP007

geek84 wrote: »

Hi
AP007

Thanks for your quick response.

I have finished the AAT course now - up to level 4

So you have been working in credit control only?

geek84

Good Morning

Yes, the only work experience related to accountancy that I have is credit control.

Kynthia

Try to apply for any finance/accounts related job that you can. I began by studying the AAT and applying for an entry level job in the Accounts Payable department of a large public sector organisation. I've now finished the AAT, got promoted a few times and completed CIMA so now I'm a Management Accountant in the same company. Others joined the Accounts Receivable and Banking teams. A friend of mine finished the AAT last summer and through a friend on the course got an admin job with a local small accountancy firm. She's now doing all the small business tax returns and loving it. Virtually every company, whether small or large, profit making, a charity or the public sector, employs staff to do finance/accounts/payroll.

AAT gives you a great foundation in understanding accounts so be proud of your achievement. However is there any way you can increase or vary your experience? Try to pick out the different elements of what you used to do in your previous roles and see what is transferrable to the roles you wish to apply for. Do you do your own tax return at all or know people who do their own that you could 'assist' with for experience? Do you know anyone working in accounts or with their own business who could give you a fortnight free work experience? Could you volunteer with a charity or find a small social/sporting group that needs someone to act as group treasurer, usually you can fit these around any job you later get? I looked on do-it.org and a netball team local to me was looking for someone to do their finances. Don't forget the basics such as having a good CV, a well written and personalised to the role covering letter, and practised interview technique. Without these it's hard to get any job.
http://www.allaboutcareers.com/articles/post/banking-finance-accountancy/hunting-for-work-experience-what-can-you-do-why-should-you-do-it.htm

double_mummy

it depends on where you are I am aat qualified and have been applying for positions asking for that level but because there are so many qualified people here and quite a few redundancies people looking for a level 3/4 aat qualified are actually taking on acca or cima etc qualified people because they are applying for those jobs the only ones i have managed to interview for are ones asking for level 1/2 after asking for feedback from the jobs i dont get they are all saying that higher qualified people are willing to work for the lower money just to have a job

just apply for anything even the very basic ones just to get your foot in the door

geek84

Thanks very much for your reply.

I have considered studying the ACCA but 2 things are putting me off that idea -

1. I haven't got relevant work experience - only work experience I have is credit control.

2. If I did study for the ACCA then I would be around 50 years of age when finished, and nobody would really want to employ me then!!

Any further advice much appreciated.

AP007

geek84 wrote: »

Thanks very much for your reply.

I have considered studying the ACCA but 2 things are putting me off that idea -

1. I haven't got relevant work experience - only work experience I have is credit control.

2. If I did study for the ACCA then I would be around 50 years of age when finished, and nobody would really want to employ me then!!

Any further advice much appreciated.

I don't even put my AAT on my CV and get the 'over qualified' reply but then I have over 20 years experience in all round accounts and payroll but a PL specialist.

Try to get a job as an all round accounts assistant would be the best bet as it will give you exp on the other side of things where you have no experience at present.

notanewuser

somethingcorporate wrote: »

Having a commercial brain and a background in finance means the world really can be your oyster, regardless of your age.

The one thing the OP definitely doesn't seem to have is a "commercial brain" I'm afraid. Check his other threads.

redz

geek84 wrote: »

1. I haven't got relevant work experience - only work experience I have is credit control.

2. If I did study for the ACCA then I would be around 50 years of age when finished, and nobody would really want to employ me then!!

Any further advice much appreciated.

Your age is only a barrier if you let it be. I'm studying for ACCA and will be in my 50s by the time I qualify.

If you want to get your foot in the door at ground level you could try looking for admin jobs with an SME that combine the admin role with sales and purchase ledger in their job description. This will give you the experience to go for roles like sales ledger clerk, purchase ledger clerk and account assistant role in an accountancy firm or accounts dept of a large firm.

How is your Excel? It would be very useful to have a good grasp of that and other MS packages. As is Sage, Sage do self study packages and accreditation quite cheaply (£150 per module in Sage line 50 self study which includes the exam fee). Sage Line 50 and Sage payroll qualifications would be a useful addition to your CV for getting an entry level post.

AP007

redz wrote: »

How is your Excel? It would be very useful to have a good grasp of that and other MS packages. As is Sage, Sage do self study packages and accreditation quite cheaply (£150 per module in Sage line 50 self study which includes the exam fee). Sage Line 50 and Sage payroll qualifications would be a useful addition to your CV for getting an entry level post.

Not all companies use SAGE however so will be no good to all the others that use something else.

Lots are going towards Nav now.