help i cant find a job in practice

nicd1981

Im currently studying AAT level 4 of an evening and am hoping to go on to study ACCA to eventuall become a chartered accountant.
I have applied to every job , emailed and written to numerous practices in Liverpool asking for voluntary work, or trainee type work as all my experience is in indusrty
dont know where to go next, im a single parent so cannot give up my job to volunteer fully would have to be one day a week basis.

Dipak Thanki

I can understand your frustration. A lot of companies want experienced people, but you can do small things to make yourself a better candidate.

If you don't know how to use SAGE, I would recommend trying to learn it, theres cheap courses online and if you get an interview (which you will), you can say that you are determinded.

Just got to keep doing small things to increase your chances.

I applied to 80 jobs in a week, had 2 interviews (which they literally toasted me) and 7 rejections. I am going to learn SAGE to boost my chances, but I don't think I would enjoy practice.

Got to keep going and going! Good luck!

geek84

Hi

I am also on level 4 and also want to carry on to do the acca. I am also having troubl getting relevant work experience !!!

I think you don't necessarily have to work in a practice in order to get the relevant experience - I'm sure you can work in other places e.g. industry to get the experience. Am I correct?

Finally, Dipak, why do you say that you would not enjoy working in practice?

Dipak Thanki

geek84 wrote: »

Hi

I am also on level 4 and also want to carry on to do the acca. I am also having troubl getting relevant work experience !!!

I think you don't necessarily have to work in a practice in order to get the relevant experience - I'm sure you can work in other places e.g. industry to get the experience. Am I correct?

Finally, Dipak, why do you say that you would not enjoy working in practice?

I did some work experience a year ago in practice and hated it! Really boring and I think it's harder to progress within the company in practice.

I think working at a large company in the finance sector would be better because of career prospects and pay!

janwal

Dipak Thanki wrote: »

I did some work experience a year ago in practice and hated it! Really boring and I think it's harder to progress within the company in practice.

I think working at a large company in the finance sector would be better because of career prospects and pay!

Hi

I have to say I work in the finance dept of a largeish organisation, and it is so boring. I've been there 9.5 years and do the same things day in day out, and as for career prospects, there is no where to go unless i bump off my boss , doing the AAT is hopfully my ticket out, would love to work in practice.

nicd1981

I have a qualification in Sage and have used it for over 5 years, also have experience in oracle, nav and ACT.
I've worked in industry since 2005 and do all accounting for the company i work for.
I want to be a chartered accountant though, not a management accountant, this means ACCA and practice experience.
Believe me I've researched what i need and I'm so determined, but I'm not getting interviews or even a reply, I'm getting no where.
And agency's that I've spoken to have said, i wouldn't be sent for any practice jobs as I've no experience in practice.
Don't know what to do next
nic x

nicd1981

For ACCA to be a chartered accountant you need 100 hours or so practice experience with use of audits and taxation.

Richard

nicd1981 wrote: »

For ACCA to be a chartered accountant you need 100 hours or so practice experience with use of audits and taxation.

I'm not sure where you have heard that, but you only need to obtain 36months relevant experience. This does not necessarily have to be practice related, or involve audit and tax.

You have to complete the PER (practical experience requirement), but the audit and tax form part of the optional section.

nicd1981

Richard wrote: »

I'm not sure where you have heard that, but you only need to obtain 36months relevant experience. This does not necessarily have to be practice related, or involve audit and tax.

You have to complete the PER (practical experience requirement), but the audit and tax form part of the optional section.

on ACCA website, maybe I've read wrong, but i was looking at the fast track option of completing ACCA in 2 years after AAT. High hopes i know but i know i can do it, i work hard enough now ha

nic x

Richard

nicd1981 wrote: »

on ACCA website, maybe I've read wrong, but i was looking at the fast track option of completing ACCA in 2 years after AAT. High hopes i know but i know i can do it, i work hard enough now ha

nic x

I think you're getting ACCA mixed up with ACA. There is no fast track option for ACCA, it is achievable in two years, but not recommended if you're in a full time job.

I don't know what the experience requirements are for ACA, but you do need a training contract with an ACA approved firm.

nicd1981

yes Richard your right it was ACA i was reading up on, i assumed this was the same course as ACCA is it not?
Oh well, i aint gonna get a training contract as im to old ! haha think ill just have to take the long way round, was just thinking of the cost, if i could do it in two years would save alot seens as im self funding
will just keep applying
maybe something will come up
nic x:)

nicd1981

and ps, thanks for your advice

and everyone else

nic x

Richard

nicd1981 wrote: »

yes Richard your right it was ACA i was reading up on, i assumed this was the same course as ACCA is it not?
Oh well, i aint gonna get a training contract as im to old ! haha think ill just have to take the long way round, was just thinking of the cost, if i could do it in two years would save alot seens as im self funding
will just keep applying
maybe something will come up
nic x:)

ACCA and ACA are pretty similar. ACA seems to be more 'prestigious', but at the end of the day they are both recognised qualifications, and both of them are hard work!!

If it's any consolation I didn't start AAT until I was 31, which is when I got my first practice job. I'm now 35 and close to finishing ACCA (hopefully)!