Can I become an accountant if I have previously been bankrupt?

casterlyrock

I was discharged from BR in May 2016, and I'm looking for a new career to train in.

I've read conflicting information about whether having a BR on my credit file will prevent me from working in certain jobs - I know that some are prohibited DURING bankruptcy, but there isn't a lot of information out there about post-BR/discharge.

I don't want to waste my time studying and putting in the work to qualify for something, if its going to be impossible or very difficult to get a job.

Can anyone give a more definite answer on this? Thanks.

Mouse007

You can become an accountant after bankruptcy and the various institutes can readmit former memebers post BR, but you may find it difficult to pass the fit and proper tests.

The best way into accountancy is to train on the job working for a firm of accountants. Don't waste time and money going to college.

Much will depend upon reason for and scale of the bankruptcy and the attitude of different employers. You will have to disclose it, so be upfront and ask around.

casterlyrock

Mouse007 wrote: »

You can become an accountant after bankruptcy and the various institutes can readmit former memebers post BR, but you may find it difficult to pass the fit and proper tests.

The best way into accountancy is to train on the job working for a firm of accountants. Don't waste time and money going to college.

Much will depend upon reason for and scale of the bankruptcy and the attitude of different employers. You will have to disclose it, so be upfront and ask around.

When you say the 'fit and proper tests' - at what point does that come into consideration? Would that only be when applying to employers or further down the line? I certainly don't want to commit the time it needs to study and become qualified for it to later mean nothing because I don't pass the 'fit and proper' test.

I wouldn't go to college, I was thinking of studying in my own time. I don't think any firm is going to take me on without any qualifications of any kind or any experience. I really don't want to study for hundreds of hours for something that isn't going to get me anywhere because of my bankruptcy history.

Everything seems so vague and uncertain, not what I need.

silvercar

I wouldn't go to college, I was thinking of studying in my own time. I don't think any firm is going to take me on without any qualifications of any kind or any experience. I really don't want to study for hundreds of hours for something that isn't going to get me anywhere because of my bankruptcy history.

You are better off training with a firm. They will give you support in studying, experience that will help with the exams, possibly study leave and help with exam costs.

A large number are happy to train people with no experience.

Mouse007

casterlyrock wrote: »

I don't think any firm is going to take me on without any qualifications of any kind or any experience

no GCSEs? I got a job with a firm of accountants with an engineering degree in mining (digging holes and packing explosives) - perhaps they thought that was useful for dealing with HMRC