What to do???

Cookiemonster

Hi All,

So I've been doing purchase ledger role for 2 years now and studying my AAT level 3, everything I am studying I don't do in my role at all. I've spoken to my supervisor etc and she's said what I do is a purchase ledger role, so what do i need to look at? I want to be able to do the things I am studying coz otherwise I am just learning pointless things, but what job titles do I go for?? I don't even do ETB in my role, I basically code invoices, put them on the system, solve queries on them (which isn't hard) I feel like I do a admin role. Even when I do my payment run its a simple process I work with people and none of them have a accounts qualification all only done admin work, I dont want this to sound as I think I am too good for my job etc I just want to put my studies into practice, can anyone tell me what I should be looking for?

thanks xx

KaySarah

Hi Cookiemonster
If you want to have use a little bit of everything you have been studying, into practice, then you need to look for a Bookkeeping role - although you need to be aware, things in real offices are not done in the same way as the books teach or layout - but the fundamental principles remain the same.
You say staff in your accounts dept have only ever done admin work? No wonder I am constantly having to correct things that pass my desk and explain to outside suppliers how they should be handling corrections!
Well done to you in having good principles and standards.

anisurrahman

I completely agree with KaySarah.... maybe you need to find a Book-keeping role or maybe your own Book-Keeping business

Sharleen

Hi

I agree that bookkeeping is a good idea. Also try to look for smaller companies because then you're more likely to get involved with all aspects. There won't be enough purchase ledger, sales ledger etc to warrant having one person on it so you'll get a bit of everything, also hopefully get to work with more senior people so you can see how the accounts stuff fits in with the business as a whole.

Good luck!

Kirsty83

It's funny you should post this, because I'm going through the same thing in my current job role. Now I'm studying Level 3, I want to be able to put alot of the theory into practice, but I can't, because the job role (that I've been in for almost 5 years), has become more and more limited. My capabilities exceed my job and I am no longer being fufiled.
Truth is, there is no progression for me and it's therefore hindering my prospects.

I've been applying for a number of job roles - Accounts Assistant, Bookkeeper and Purchase Ledger Clerk etc and although it has been slow (due to the economy), I'm not gonna give up.

You should look at similar roles and just keep applying and applying and applying. Send out your CV to prospective empolyers, just do whatever you can to get a job that better suits all of your knowledge and capabilities. Sign up with an agency that specialises in Accounts & Finance jobs (as I've done), because they will be able to help you too.

I wish you luck. Just keep you chin up and keep at it!!!

Cookiemonster

Hi All

Thanks a lot for all your responses. I am glad I didn't come across as thinking I am "better than admin roles" I work full time and do college part time which are very long weeks for me so I do want to be able to use what I have learnt into practice, part of me thinks why bother learning it if I am spending my days filing, photocopying and stuffing letters (I dont even write them as they are a template) I haven't even done payroll or even looked at it, the only thing I do which is "account based" is code invoices up everything else I done years ago when I was doing admin work. I've asked my boss for more responsibility but I always get "its too busy to train right now, and HO want them to do it!" I actually thought maybe it's me, but it seems to be with everyone in the office. We all do basic roles, which for my wage I should be happy (£17500) I am going to look into all the other roles you've said I think I am just really bored with what I am doing and in college am "happy, interested, sense of achievement etc"
Fingers crossed something comes up and good luck to you all xx

KaySarah

Just a quick thought Cookiemonster ... You might also look for roles that just say "Accounts Clerk" or General Accounts Clerk - as these will be for smaller companies and should encompass most of the spectrum of your studies.

You may want to check out the CMA Commerce & Industry Salary Survey first though.

Good luck in your quest.

Henry

Cookiemonster,

It is natural to want to feel valued and also to feel you are progressing in your career. However the truth be told there are people out there who are a lot more qualified than yourself who are in similar positions, and that is not meant to discourage you in anyway. One of the problems is that the qualification by itself is not worth very much without supporting experience. But you find yourself in a catch 22 situation in that because of limited experience you are not able to compete for some of the more diversified roles unless you are applying for trainee positions. But even then you have people with experience applying for trainee positions so employers are more likely to take them on than someone who has less experience. Again experience is a superficial thing because many people lie on their application forms to say they can do x, y, z when they have never done it. Once they get the job they then email their friends asking them how a particular task is done. I have seen this myself being done. Sometimes its also about who you know and not what you know, how you look and act, what your hobbies are and whether you will be able to fit in the team and the culture of the organisation. All I can say is keep trying.

mrb82

Kirsty83 wrote: »

It's funny you should post this, because I'm going through the same thing in my current job role. Now I'm studying Level 3, I want to be able to put alot of the theory into practice, but I can't, because the job role (that I've been in for almost 5 years), has become more and more limited. My capabilities exceed my job and I am no longer being fufiled.
Truth is, there is no progression for me and it's therefore hindering my prospects.

I feel exactly the same! I'm trying to take on more things but the opportunities are just not here until someone leaves, which they won't! My employer are paying for my AAT so I don't want to seem ungrateful, but I'm certainly not as experienced as others on my course! I am thinking of moving to practice after Technician, providing study support is available. Seems ungrateful but I think it's necessary