Too old??
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<BR>i was just wandering, i'm nearly 38 and not working in the accountancy field, having completed both the foundation and intermediate stages,,, i feel i'm too old to continue with the aat...<BR><BR>I'm i too old to complete the course, doing home studies at present...
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Too old??
What makes you think you are too old at the age of 38?? The Government are now making us work until we are 65 and possibly 70 if they get their way!! So I think you still have many years to work in the field that obviously interests you - otherwise you would not have started studying it!<BR><BR>Go on.... carry on and get yourself fully qualified.... you know you want to!<BR><BR>My opinion - definately, absolutely, positively NOT too old!<BR><BR>Good luck with the studies.0 -
Too old??
Hi,<BR><BR>Just had to reply, too old at 38, thats ridiculous, you are as old as you feel, I have just reached 50, and have just taken my last technician exam(hopefully I will pass - Fingers crossed). I did work in an accountancy practice for 18 months, then two years ago, took the big step of being self employed. <BR><BR>I have always played a part in my husbands business, however going it on my 'own' felt really scary. However two years on, I have around 70+ clients, my son, who is now studying accountancy, works for me full time, and I have two freelance book-keepers who help us when we're snowed under, like paye year ends, and of course in January for tax return deadlines. I can tell you now it is the best move I have ever made, sure you get days when you have truckloads of work, and you can't see your desk for all the paperwork. But the satisfaction we get is the best feeling ever.<BR><BR>So my message to you is, don't give up, carry on until you get your AAT qualification, then if you do want to start your own business, you can.<BR><BR>Good Luck!0 -
Too old??
Hi Tilly,<BR>Would love to start up on my own.<BR>How did you get started?<BR><BR>Im forty something and studying technician.<BR>I cant see why age should be a barrier to learning.0 -
Too old??
I dont think your ever too old. I changed careers at 37 because I wanted to work self-employed. I think some parts are harder like finding the time to study in my early 20,s it was easier because I only had one thing to think about. <BR>As a "mature" student you often have a home family as well as another job so studying is an extra drain on limited time. I went to college with a number of other mature students I thought I would be on my own I was pleasently surprised. So don't feel old, age has nothing to do with just enjoy the fact you can still do it and enjoy the experiance when you learn new skills it tends rejuvinate you.<BR><BR>Good Luck!!0 -
Too old??
Hi Karen, I had always worked in accounts, and when my husband started in business 30 odd years ago, I used to attempt to keep his records straight, dealing with paye, subcontractors vouchers, vat etc, etc. I then thought to myself one day 'I could get paid for doing this', so I started my studying, got a job in an accountancy practice - this was difficult for me at first because all I had been used to was management accounting for the company which I worked for.<BR><BR>However I soon got stuck into all the various businesses, I used to laugh as when I maybe had prepared a VAT return for an Indian Restaurant, my husband could smell curry on my clothes when I got home. After two years in this practice I felt confident to make the big decision, so I did and it is working very well. I was very lucky as when some of the clients heard I was leaving, they asked for my number, and yes they left the practice and came to me. I did not break any laws though, I did not approach any clients myself. My Ex-Boss was and probably still is furious with me.<BR><BR> I have never had to advertise, its just been word of mouth. The majority of my clients are sub-contractors in the construction industry, however I make my profit from regular 'simple' jobs ie Payroll and Vat, I also do some Sage training for my larger clients to enable them to input all their transactions to computer. I work very very hard, my son who works for me, tells me I work too hard, and expect the same from him, in his eyes I am probably a slavedriver. But as I tell him, I now have the benefit of a lovely BMW in the drive, and a wonderful home, and you can't have that without the will and the drive to do well in your life. There is always a worry with self employment, ie no work, or bad debts, but there is the satisfaction of doing a job, and hopefully doing it well. And I can assure you, there is plenty of work out there for all of us, its just taking that initial step, and I can assure you it is the best decision I have ever made.<BR><BR>Go on - go for it<BR><BR>Lots and lots of luck...........Tilly0 -
Too old??
Until 45 I was a teacher of children with special needs. I then retrained as a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Adviser. Piece of cake! All it takes is hunger to succeed.0 -
Too old??
<BR>hi guys,<BR><BR>Thank you very much for your wonderful 'pick me up' replies, was really nice of you guys to take the time to make a comment on the issue. I feel really good and definitely going for it next year.....good luck with all your projects and have a wonderful xmas.........<BR><BR>kofi0 -
Too old?
Of course one is not too old at any age, so long as mind, and to a lesser extent body, hold out, and for some this can be 100! European-based anti-ageist legislation will soon apply to the UK. With lifelong learning, and the changing needs of the global employment market, most of us will change career every so often. 38 is very young nowadays. So study for AAT at any age.<BR><BR>Regards<BR><BR>Gerald Vinten<BR>Member of AAT Council0 -
Too old??
Hi,<BR>I was just made a member at the age of 39 after several years of study. Sometimes life experiences acctually help you through the exams and if you have at least one years experience in an accounts enviroment you can go straight to membership after you finish your technician course.<BR><BR>Andrew0 -
Too old?
Everybody<BR><BR><BR>Please please please do not put an "a" in definitely.....I was even horrified to see that in an advert in a recent copy of "accounting technician" they also made the same mistake....<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>0 -
Too old??
I must admit that I haven't had time to read all the replies to this post, but, having scanned them, I think they all say pretty much how I feel.<BR><BR>At 48, I've just secured my first client. I'm at Intermedite level units 6&7 at the moment (VAT!!!!!!) and i'm working for myself as I had planned to do six years ago before a heart attack stopped me.<BR><BR>Too old? Never.0 -
Too old?
Bowlingbazza<BR><BR><BR><BR>Thanks for pointing out the misspelling......0