Getting experience in accounts

Amara

Hello everyone.
I've been running my cleaning business for six years. I enjoy it, but I'd like to work in accounts. I've been doing all bookkeeping at my business myself, but it's just small business, so no much experience from it, and wherever I apply, they want someone with experience. Where can I get experience in accounts from? I live in little town , it doesn't help.

xapprenticex

It doesnt fall out of the sky basically, knowing that will save you some time.

Most of us had to start with something non-finance and work our way up or eventually get the chance to assist in finance and took off from there.

Sometimes head-on isn't the easiest way, BUT you may get lucky.

If you are okay with temping then maybe agencies can help.

PasturesNew

You could make a list of local charities, see which ones you fancy, then contact them to offer to be a volunteer.

An employer would just expect you to know the basics, so regular Sales Ledger, Purchase Ledger, Nominal Accounts, end of month procedures, ledger adjustments, setting up monthly reports and running them, profit and loss and the year end routines/procedures and reports etc.

Kynthia

Do you know anyone self employed who you could assist with their accounts? Perhaps see if any local sports or social groups would like you as their treasurer?

xapprenticex

PasturesNew wrote: »

You could make a list of local charities, see which ones you fancy, then contact them to offer to be a volunteer.

An employer would just expect you to know the basics, so regular Sales Ledger, Purchase Ledger, Nominal Accounts, end of month procedures, ledger adjustments, setting up monthly reports and running them, profit and loss and the year end routines/procedures and reports etc.

Charities tend to have a paid worker covering finance, its not really something you just leave to volunteers for obvious reasons.

Many times the paid worker wouldn't want a volunteer doing their work for free.. again for obvious reasons.

Typically you'll find that finance is covered in small charities. I didn't get a foot in until I was actually paid working there and got to know the person running finance personally and she/he requested that I assist, that's how I got in.

This is from observation but you may get lucky.

pupgrum

Amara wrote: »

Hello everyone.
I've been running my cleaning business for six years. I enjoy it, but I'd like to work in accounts. I've been doing all bookkeeping at my business myself, but it's just small business, so no much experience from it, and wherever I apply, they want someone with experience. Where can I get experience in accounts from? I live in little town , it doesn't help.

Ignore people telling you to apply to work for charity. You already have bookkeeping experience. What you need now are accountancy related qualifications.

Amara

Thanks for all replies.
I've started AAT level 2. Every vacancy I've seen stated :" minimum one year experience on similar position required", even entry-level jobs. That worries me.
According TotalJobs Purchase ledger clerk jobs includes:
Code and check invoices
Work out VAT payments (so you'll finally be able to use your GCSE maths)
Pay out money via BACS or by cheque
Check and reconcile supplier statements
File invoices and statements
Deal with purchase enquiries
Process staff expenses
I've been doing this for six years! On small scale, granted, but still . It's not hard. But I never held position with this job title, so I'm considered as unexperienced.

jobbingmusician

In your initial post, you said that you'd been running your own business. So it's up to you to set your job title...

I suspect that some of your problem is down to your self-marketing. If you say something like 'I held the position of bookeeper with x company, and was responsible for [for example] preparing accounts to trial balance for our annual review. I founded and developed x company myself' anyone quickly reviewing CVs is more likely to sling you into the shortlist pile. Anyone reading with more attention will still realise that you have the requisite experience, and might well be interested enough to want to meet (interview) you..........

Amara

Jobbingmusician, you made great point. I probably need to rewrite my CV. And give myself different job title.

YouAsked

Amara wrote: »

Thanks for all replies.
I've started AAT level 2. Every vacancy I've seen stated :" minimum one year experience on similar position required", even entry-level jobs. That worries me.

But you HAVE one year's experience! Sell what you've done in your own business - that counts! Somebody earlier suggested working for charities for free - I can see where they're coming from, but I think they meant something along the lines of a treasurer for a committee or association? I wouldn't necessarily dismiss out of hand as it could give you another couple of lines to pad out your CV if you wanted, but I'd say choose carefully - scale might be important.. But I would seriously highlight all of what you have done for your own business - this is real, tangible, relevant experience.

xapprenticex

With your level 2 you shouldn't have a problem