A few questions

Dipak Thanki · February 2012

Hi,

I have a few questions regarding ACCA. I am going to be starting ACCA from September 2012 and will sit two exams per sitting, so hopefully I should be done within three years.

Will be 20 in August, so I should be qualified by the age of 23. I'm currently temping in a part finance role, whilst looking for better job opportunities.

If I don't get a secure finance role by the time I start ACCA, what are the implications of having done exams without the experience?

Should I make sure I have a secure job in finance before starting ACCA?

By the age of 30, I want to have like a solid 9-10 years experience and hopefully be in a managerial position.

Pretty confused because I have been to a few interviews and have been ripped to shreds when it comes to the experience.

Thanks!

Dipak

reader · February 2012

One guy at my work place (a firm of accountants) had completed all his ACCA exams before he started with us for 3 months of work experience; he is now a manager within the firm.

Personally, my advice would be to keep applying for jobs, the more jobs you apply for the more chance you have of getting one; eventually something will come up.

Many people struggle getting their first full-time job, it took me 9 months.

I don't think there are any major implications; doing ACCA might make you ove-qualified for basic data entry jobs but given that you're doing ACCA you probably wouldn't want those type of jobs anyway.

mark057 · February 2012

Hi Dipak,

You do not need to have any practical work experience before beginning the ACCA qualification and you
can even achieve the experience after qualification.

I think studying two exams per sitting is sensible but ACCA exams are pretty challenging so I would
factor in the possibility of some resits and maybe short breaks in your three year study plan.

Mark

uknitty · February 2012

You don't have to disclose the fact you are studying ACCA on your CV either if you think that it will be seen as making you "overqualified" for particular roles.

If taking a data entry role gets you your foot in the door of a firm that has opportunity to progress I wouldn't dismiss that either. Its a *VERY* tough market out there right now.

Dipak Thanki · February 2012

Thanks for the replies

I was offered a non finance role within the company, but then my ACCA would be paid for and future in finance within in the company is sorted. Still pondering on if I should take it or not.

I know the exams are challenging but I'm prepared to work hard. I think of it as 3 years of hell, for a life time of rewards!:laugh:

I've been applying to jobs all over the country lol! I don't really want to work in a practice because it seems depressing and boring.

I just don't want to be like part qualified on a horrible salary because of my lack of experience.

RAS · February 2012

I don`t think there is any harm starting your ACCA exams, taking two to start with sounds sensible. Its just a difficult time at the moment in the job market. I think it is important though to keep trying to get a relevant finance role as soon as you can, ideally you want to have the exams and job experience to go hand in hand. Keep trying, why not try agencies to get at least a temporary role in finance, to get the ball rolling. Good luck with it all.

A few questions

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