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Worth it or a scam?

I'm currently studying towards my AAT Level 4 Diploma on a part time basis whilst on maternity leave. I've started applying for a few related positions for when I'm due to go back. I was working in a different sector before and have no accountancy experience.

I got a call on Thursday from "Accountancy Works" offering me a training scheme in which I'd get my Sage certification, they'd be able to get me a work placement and ultimately find me a job. Sounds fishy, right?

Getting into the nitty gritty, it's a £300 sign up fee and £1,499 for the "course" BUT you don't have to pay the course fee until you're in a full time job that they've got you and have been there for 6 months - and then you pay in instalments. If they don't find you a job, you don't pay.

I know it's probably crazy but the lure of the work experience is pulling me in. I know I would be a bloody good trainee accountant and if I can get the opportunity to prove that then I'm pretty sure I'd get the job (If available), but is it worth a grand and a half?

The sage training is generally about £300 so if they don't get me a job I've not really lost out. I asked them to send me the ts&cs of the course fee pay later thing but they've not done it yet.

I'm rambling slightly, any thoughts?
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Comments

  • AP007
    AP007 Posts: 7,109 Forumite
    Never pay for SAGE training. Not everyone uses SAGE so no good unless you are applying for jobs with companies that only use SAGE.

    I have only used SAGE once in one job in the last 13 years.
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  • Claree__x
    Claree__x Posts: 1,186 Forumite
    AP007 wrote: »
    Never pay for SAGE training. Not everyone uses SAGE so no good unless you are applying for jobs with companies that only use SAGE.

    I have only used SAGE once in one job in the last 13 years.

    Really? I know that not everywhere uses sage but I thought it'd be a good thing to have for a (relatively) small outlay.
  • AP007
    AP007 Posts: 7,109 Forumite
    Claree__x wrote: »
    Really? I know that not everywhere uses sage but I thought it'd be a good thing to have for a (relatively) small outlay.
    But then you could say the same for Nav, Agresso, SUN, Pegasus Opera, JD Edwards........the list goes on.
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  • Claree__x
    Claree__x Posts: 1,186 Forumite
    AP007 wrote: »
    But then you could say the same for Nav, Agresso, SUN, Pegasus Opera, JD Edwards........the list goes on.

    Good point.

    I take it you're in the industry? Could I possibly trouble you for some advice? I completed my HNC (higher national certificate) in May with distinction and I'm now doing the AAT like I said. What do you think would be the best approach to job hunting? I'm thinking speculative emails/visits to local accountants might give me the best chance to explain myself?
  • keyser666
    keyser666 Posts: 2,140 Forumite
    AP007 wrote: »
    Never pay for SAGE training. Not everyone uses SAGE so no good unless you are applying for jobs with companies that only use SAGE.

    I have only used SAGE once in one job in the last 13 years.
    How long have you been out of work?
  • AP007
    AP007 Posts: 7,109 Forumite
    keyser666 wrote: »
    How long have you been out of work?
    What's that got to do with Sage?

    I have 7 friends all working in accounts at present and none have ever used SAGE or are using SAGE in the jobs they are in currently.

    When did you last use SAGE?
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  • AP007
    AP007 Posts: 7,109 Forumite
    Claree__x wrote: »
    Good point.

    I take it you're in the industry? Could I possibly trouble you for some advice? I completed my HNC (higher national certificate) in May with distinction and I'm now doing the AAT like I said. What do you think would be the best approach to job hunting? I'm thinking speculative emails/visits to local accountants might give me the best chance to explain myself?
    No I am out of work but I sure keyser666 has lots of advice for you
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  • As above, never pay for a SAGE course.

    As an AAT qualified but no experience prospective employee, your new employers won't expect you to be au fait with SAGE - which they might not even be using. At your level, with no experience, any job offer will include further training as necessary. I work in practice, and out of around 1,000 clients who use bookkeeping software, I would say only about fifty percent use SAGE. Of a firm of seventy five employees, none of us have had any 'formal' SAGE accredited training (I tell a lie, a couple have SAGE payroll).

    The knowledge, without the practical experience, is not that useful, and if you are seeking to work in practice, the bulk of the work will be getting data out of whatever bookkeeping software is being used,rather than inputting, at least initially.

    We usually employee trainees through speculative letters (do the letter first, follow up with an email - do not pop in and see someone, the intrusion into their (chargeable) time will not be welcomed. Also, I would try to avoid doing this in January - speaking from experience, your letter will be put to the side and may get lost in the self assessment chaos! February is a good month, as is august/September time as a lot of firms traditionally take on new staff following the end of the school year.

    Good luck!
  • Also, what quality is the 'placement' going to be?

    I don't believe it's necessary - certainly, if it's a two-four week placement, the chances are you won't be much better off than someone with nil experience.
  • Thanks for your advice, Laura.

    I'm going to give it a swerve I think :)
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