Mid 30 career change with CIMA -realistic?

Roselondon_2

I am living in London and just had a baby and is reconsidering my career route.

Some questions here for which I would very much appreciate anyone to give comments - even just to point out my thoughts are not realistic or far too naive:

First of all, in general, I have no desire to play political games in the office. I don't like to brush everything pink and rosy just to sell my own ideas. I am more comfortable in telling truth and guard precaution for outlooks. Because of the above personality (flaws), probably because my current company seriously put me off, but I don't think I have much future in my current type of job.

Would you tell me that I am naive to think I might feel slightly more comfortable to be a management accountant? Even if I stay at hands-on level not getting promoted, may I picture my salary would steadily go up over years based on the experience?


Secondly, I choose the CIMA route for the entry to the financial sector. I'd like to work in a company instead of services sector. From all that I read online, CIMA seems to be well respected. But on the other hands, I also read that people who are full qualified still have trouble to get their feet into the door for their first employment. I am mid-30. I don't mind starting from a trainee and spending a few years to get qualified. My current approach is to pass the operational level (I have a MBA diploma and got a few exemptions with CIMA) and look for a job for a fresh start. My questions here are:

- Is the approach realistic? I am a bit frightened by the idea that even if I pass the operational level, as I am mid-30 and my current job has no whatsoever link with accounting/finance, probably nobody would bother to give me a chance as they either prefer graduates or someone who's experienced?

- Beside CIMA is there any other qualification (e.g. ACAs) I shall look into which could help me to improve my profile before I look for a job?

To start from fresh at mid 30s, is really not something making me feel comfortable and I have doubts running in my head all these days afraid that I would be wasting time and money probably in the end only have frustration to face.

No matter what you comment, I would very much appreciate it!

AP007

You want to be a Management Accountant?

Any accounts experience at all? If you say none than in your mid 30's Id say you are going to struggle - sorry

Roselondon_2

Hi, AP007, thanks for commenting.

Would I be better off start from some other route?

Does becoming a management accountant absolutely require previous account experience?

Thanks.

Lizling

What do you do at the moment? "Telling truth and guard precaution for outlooks" could be helpful in quite a few jobs, I'd think.

Do you have your heart set on being a management accountant or are you just looking for options that you think might fit? CIMA is boring as hell imo. I started it once and lasted all of 2 chapters, but each to their own!

Roselondon_2

I haven't planned to take off as a Management accountant. CIMA is just a qualification I thought I would help me get into the door... I wouldn't mind to start from the entry level.

Would this still be unrealistic?

Lizling

Roselondon wrote: »

I haven't planned to take off as a Management accountant. CIMA is just a qualification I thought I would help me get into the door... I wouldn't mind to start from the entry level.

Would this still be unrealistic?

I think I remember that you actually needed a certain amount of accounts experience to complete it, but I could be wrong. It was quite a few years ago.

Edit: any background in maths or stats? When I gave up on CIMA, i went and became an analyst with only loosely relevant qualifications and they're still in demand. Part of it is to report the truth and tough luck if it isn't what people were hoping to hear, so it might suit you too!

Roselondon_2

Hi Lizling, I am currently working in purchasing. Not about the job itself, I think, it's mainly because of the way people play around the business expectation. I always want to make more responsible decision than my boss (and his boss) wants. Feeling very much frustrated, as business nowadays is run short-term focused.

CIMA material is not as well organised as I would expect a renowned qualification should. But I am not familiar with the financial sector and this option came to be only based on some simple research by myself.

AP007

Roselondon wrote: »

CIMA material is not as well organised as I would expect a renowned qualification should. But I am not familiar with the financial sector and this option came to be only based on some simple research by myself.

You want to work in the financial sector, accountancy practice or commerce?

Roselondon_2

Lizling, you are right. To eventually qualified, you need experience. But as I said, I only want to start from lower level and gradually progress as long as I can get myself the first job in the sector before I gain experiences.

Roselondon_2

AP007, I have no interest working in a firm. To work in a commercial/industrial environment would make me feel more comfortable.

AP007

Roselondon wrote: »

Lizling, you are right. To eventually qualified, you need experience. But as I said, I only want to start from lower level and gradually progress as long as I can get myself the first job in the sector before I gain experiences.

You would have to start as a junior then.

Takes a good number of years to become qualified even with a vast amount of experience