payroll/book keeping/ sales ledger/ a/c receivable etc etc

Poppops

I'm not surprised you're struggling. It's a popular field.

I would get your IT skills, particularly Excel, better than basic. The ability to create VLOOKUP and pivot tables would be a good start.

You need the accounting basics. People struggle with AAT if they aren't in a job where they are getting the practical experience as well. I would suggest a book-keeping course as a good way to start. You need to understand your debits and credits and double entry book-keeping. It's year one, class one of the Accounting and Finance degree.

Also, I think payroll is a tricky one unless you are targetting a particular firm and know which software packages they use.

I'd go for the book-keeping and see if you can maybe find a way to get some practical experience. We had one trainee who had volunteered in a credit union and she had a really good grasp of the basics,

Kim_kim

pinpin wrote: »

So you'd advise against just shelling out a grand or whatever it is for a course in something like 'book keeping' or 'sales ledger' and then applying for jobs through agencies using that as my 'in'? (assuming that I passed the course!)

Yes, I would def go to your local college & look at what part time evening classes you could do.

Kim_kim

pinpin wrote: »

also, why does it matter that it was back in 2006 or that it was only for a year out of interest?
I mean, I'd imagine that the software used in these accounting jobs, is software that i've never used anyway, so even if that office job ended last week instead of 2006 the advice would be the same?

I recruit & interview (not a million miles from you).
I would look for relevant work experience & a demonstration in the application of examples of what skills they have to meet the criteria.

A years experience 9 years ago isn't much to be honest. You are up against people with a full relevant work history.

Good see your local college (Crawley or East Surrey) & look at their courses.

Kim_kim

Poppops wrote: »

I'm not surprised you're struggling. It's a popular field.

I would get your IT skills, particularly Excel, better than basic. The ability to create VLOOKUP and pivot tables would be a good start.

You need the accounting basics. People struggle with AAT if they aren't in a job where they are getting the practical experience as well. I would suggest a book-keeping course as a good way to start. You need to understand your debits and credits and double entry book-keeping. It's year one, class one of the Accounting and Finance degree.

Also, I think payroll is a tricky one unless you are targetting a particular firm and know which software packages they use.

I'd go for the book-keeping and see if you can maybe find a way to get some practical experience. We had one trainee who had volunteered in a credit union and she had a really good grasp of the basics,

The first level of AAT is foundation & it's NVQ 2. I started on that, as an almost beginner.
The OP could easily start on that & an admin course too, to beef up basic office & pc skills.

pinpin

Poppops wrote: »

I'm not surprised you're struggling. It's a popular field.

Any suggestions for an office-based career that isn't so crowded (popular field) that I could get into?

[Deleted User]

Most Accounts Office now acts as Reception too - and vice versa sadly, I think I am really something to do with sales ledger invoicing lol! I don't know what I would do if they hadn't given me the switchboard, there is no training and I can't see it lasting unless someone retires, there just isn't the hours without it upsetting someone

Job Centre's could possibly offer Sage course as that was something I could have wait - listed for round here one time, I'd sign up just for that if I had to and least it would be free!

I can certainly see now why a one time poster by the name of AP007 was hit hard x

Poppops

Kim_kim wrote: »

The first level of AAT is foundation & it's NVQ 2. I started on that, as an almost beginner.
The OP could easily start on that & an admin course too, to beef up basic office & pc skills.

Agreed. But there are cheaper ways to do that.

Every year we put 20 trainees through AAT and you know that the ones who will do best are those who are doing the role of an accounts clerk alongside it. In fact many don't complete it.

All I am saying is that with no experience, I think it's an expensive way to start. I would still dip a toe in the water with a book-keeping or night class.

Poppops

pinpin wrote: »

Any suggestions for an office-based career that isn't so crowded (popular field) that I could get into?

I'm not suggesting you don't give it a go. Finance can be an incredibly interesting and rewarding career.

Charlotte17

Try http://alison.com/ where you can get more advanced with Excel and then maybe look at Finance Admin roles that need no experience

My last co took on a junior for £18k with no office exp at all but an interest in finance.

Kynthia

If I were you I would begin the first level of the AAT as soon as you can, but maybe looking at cost efficient methods of doing so (such as distance learning, online lectures, etc). The first level teaches you a lot about bookkeeping so you could start applying for those roles pretty soon, but if then you found an employer who supported you or you felt the qualification would benefit your career you could continue studying the full qualification.


In the meantime I would suggest you see if you can get any finance experience. Perhaps volunteer in a charities office doing their invoices, offer to do some work experience at all your local accountancy/bookkeeping firms, or ask where you are now if there are any finance based tasks you can take on in addition to your current workload.