A job in accounting/finance with no experience

nyc_451

asajj wrote: »

Well it is hard to know at entry level what you really like but you can get a job at entry level and later in your career , change your speciality.

ACCA, CIMA, ACA qualified accountants are mostly doing similar roles each other nowadays anyway.

Does your company have a finance department where you are ? You might ask for job shadowing and see what they do.

Which city you are close to ?

Also have a look at this

http://www.bpp.com/professional-qualifications-course-listing/listing/professional-qualifications/57

Thank you, asajj.

We have a finance department but it's far from where I live, so I wouldn't be able to go there and watch what they do...

If I get a permanent contract, I can move anywhere.

asajj

You can always start AAT anyway, it is the entry route to the accounting qualifications.

Especially as said above, there is a chance to study it for free if you are below 24.

Charlotte17

https://www.aat.org.uk/qualifications/funding

dancingfairy

Unfortunately I think it's hard to cross over from retail to an admin based role. People seem to think if you work in retail you can't work in an office and they seem to prefer people with direct finance/office experience. It is possible though, it's just finding someone prepared to give you a chance.
Definitely make the most of your admin skills on job applications/interviews.
Do you have other general office experience before the retail work as this will really help.
You might find it easier to get a low level admin/reception/filing clerk role and study AAT in the evenings and hope to pick up some finance duties as you go along if you get the right office.
You don't actually need a qualification or experience in order to enter invoices onto a system to be honest. It's basically data entry. Most of the computer packages take away a lot of the actual accounting side of it, although it does help if you have some understanding of how accounts work. Obviously if you want to progress from there then some form of training/qualification is helpful.
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Kynthia

You will look better if you can show that you what skills and experiences in your previous roles can be transferred to an accountants assistant role and that you are also studying the AAT. Studying shows that it's definitely accounts and finance that you are interested in, and not just any office role, plus it shows that you are serious, aren't just waiting for an employer to pay for your course, and are currently learning relevant knowledge.


Take a look at your local colleges as well as other providers such as Kaplan and BPP.

nyc_451

I want to start a distance learning but can't choose between all those courses and providers! AAT? ACCA? Shall I go for the cheapest courses or not?

Charlotte17

blue_mango wrote: »

I want to start a distance learning but can't choose between all those courses and providers! AAT? ACCA? Shall I go for the cheapest courses or not?

ACCA = chartered certified accountant
AAT = Association of Accounting Technicians (bookkeepers, ledger managers etc)

Depends what you want to do

Kaplan are good

Do the AAT skills check and see what level it suggests you start at

asajj

AAT is the entry level qualification. If you do it, you will get exemption from some papers if you decide to continue your studies. If you want to advance on finance career, AAT won't be enough. You will want to be "qualified" by doing one of these courses (ACCA, CIMA or perhaps ACA).

Alternatively you can start doing ACCA/Cima/ACA , you will start from scratch assuming you have no degree to get exemptions. ACCA has 14 papers to pass while CIMA 15 I believe.

I'd suggest you use the above links to understant as it gives the basic info already.

nyc_451

Thank you, asajj

Charlotte17 wrote: »

ACCA = chartered certified accountant
AAT = Association of Accounting Technicians (bookkeepers, ledger managers etc)

Depends what you want to do

Kaplan are good

Do the AAT skills check and see what level it suggests you start at

I did it yesterday before sleep and it suggested aat level 2, I think?
The test actually got me even more excited! I am obviously not familiar with accounting but I am pretty sure it's easier than pure maths which I am good at!

Hard to say what I want to do before actually trying it out... For now, probably just complete some courses in order to get assistant accountants job and then see how it goes.

Kaplan, ACCA basic knowledge modules F1-F3, distance learning, £380? Sounds good to me?...

P.S. Do you need an advanced level of English in accounting? I might struggle with that

asajj

I'm not a native English speaker and yes there have been times when I struggled but certainly it is doable considering most of these qualifications are international now and many students from old Common Wealth countries are studying them.

Yes that sounds about right with the price but you need to register with the accountancy body first. You pay for registery I think and you also pay for the exams. Don't start any course before registering with a body as you can't take exams without having a student record with AAT or ACCA etc.

You are supposed to pass the papers, taking the courses alone won't give you qualification.

If there is a college near you (like Kaplan or BPP) go and talk to them first.