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Looking for a finance entry job
I have completed aat level 2 and I am looking for entry position in accounts, any recommendations?
Starting AAT and a career change
Hello all,
I am new here and just wanted some advice really regarding a potential career change.
A little about me.. I'm 27, have no accounting experience and am currently working in billing and collection of Council Tax, which I have now been doing for 5 years. I've been thinking for a while about a career change to accounting, which would be something I would enjoy and actually get satisfaction from.. I can't bear the thought of collecting Council Tax for the next 40 years!
My qualifications so far are relatively limited. I passed my GCSE's and one A Level, though quite frankly I didn't try hard enough at school and college, so I don't think my qualifications are representative of my ability.. More my lack of effort in my teens. Now I want to correct this and have been looking up AAT as a starting block in accountancy. So here are my questions..
1. I know I'm only 27, but I feel it may be too late to career change given the fact I have no real relevant experience and no degree. Is this the case? Obviously I am prepared to complete the qualifications and take an entry level job, but maybe this will be impossible to get with my career so far? From what I've seen people seem to really struggle getting experience.
2. I want to be an accountant in industry rather than in practise. I know of CIPFA having worked around the finance department in local Government, though this qualification doesn't seem to be respected in the same way as ACCA or ACA (maybe it's just snobbery?) If I was looking to work in industry, possibly still in but not limited to local government, would CIPFA be best or is one of the others more suitable?
I was sure I had more questions than that, but I've done so much research I have a headache! Many thanks for your help in advance!
Tim
I am new here and just wanted some advice really regarding a potential career change.
A little about me.. I'm 27, have no accounting experience and am currently working in billing and collection of Council Tax, which I have now been doing for 5 years. I've been thinking for a while about a career change to accounting, which would be something I would enjoy and actually get satisfaction from.. I can't bear the thought of collecting Council Tax for the next 40 years!
My qualifications so far are relatively limited. I passed my GCSE's and one A Level, though quite frankly I didn't try hard enough at school and college, so I don't think my qualifications are representative of my ability.. More my lack of effort in my teens. Now I want to correct this and have been looking up AAT as a starting block in accountancy. So here are my questions..
1. I know I'm only 27, but I feel it may be too late to career change given the fact I have no real relevant experience and no degree. Is this the case? Obviously I am prepared to complete the qualifications and take an entry level job, but maybe this will be impossible to get with my career so far? From what I've seen people seem to really struggle getting experience.
2. I want to be an accountant in industry rather than in practise. I know of CIPFA having worked around the finance department in local Government, though this qualification doesn't seem to be respected in the same way as ACCA or ACA (maybe it's just snobbery?) If I was looking to work in industry, possibly still in but not limited to local government, would CIPFA be best or is one of the others more suitable?
I was sure I had more questions than that, but I've done so much research I have a headache! Many thanks for your help in advance!
Tim
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