Career change at 36??

Mazzone10

Hi all,


I'm a bit of a forum browser rather than poster but I need a bit of advice if I can please...


My situation is that I'm an accountant working in a practice and have been in similar positions for about 10 years or so now, overall in accounts since I was 18. I've grown a bit bored of the profession to be honest and the direction of automated systems has taken the enjoyment out of it for me. I no longer feel like I'm achieving any satisfaction or fulfilment in my current role either learning or moneywise. I change roles every 2 to 3 years but end up hitting the same place of dissatisfaction.


I did take the time to brainstorm ideas of the kind of things I am interested in and they all seem to lead back to being able to help people, in a far more direct way than I am now. I do like the kind of 'consumer rights' roles but then there doesn't seem to be many around, the CAB jobs are of particular interest, but few and far between.


I do have some transferrable skills from working in client facing roles for ten years, so at least a starting point but I feel a bit stuck on where to go from here. If anyone can give advice in terms of personal experience or even where to seek further advice then it would be greatly appreciated.


Look forward to hearing back from you.


Many thanks




Mark

Tabbytabbitha

Can you afford to take a big drop in salary?

Mazzone10

Unfortunately circumstances dictate that I can't take any drop at all, however I'm not on a big salary.

theoretica

How tied are you to a location, or could you job hunt all over the UK?

Mazzone10

West Midlands only to be honest. I wouldn't really want to up sticks.

somethingcorporate

Have you considered working in house or being a management accountant at a big corporate? These are nothing like working as a bean counter and would get you more involved in the inner workings of a business rather than prepping the financial accounting stuff.

I am a finance manager in a FTSE100 company and have unlimited opportunities to move around the company/move up when I get bored. I have worked a lot with sales but plenty of customer facing opportunity if that is what floats your boat.

Mazzone10

Hello.

It's the corporate side I'm looking to get away from really. I've spent years helping businesses and looking to do something different from that entirely.

Fireflyaway

How about something where you deal with people and get stuck into cases rather than just processes? Trading standards or HR? Your financial experience would help with payroll in an HR role. I'm 37 and hoping to find a new career path this year too. Its not too old as I'm sure the government will have us working till 80 anyway....

Mazzone10

Yeah along those lines. That's given more some more ideas, thanks. What do you work as?

prosaver

What about gardening?

chucknorris

Mazzone10 wrote: »

Hello.

It's the corporate side I'm looking to get away from really. I've spent years helping businesses and looking to do something different from that entirely.

Are you chartered (or otherwise qualified)? If so, have you considered lecturing?