I'm new to this site. It was something that I came across by accident while looking for suitable accountancy courses for me to take.
A little back ground on me. I work in an industry non-related to Accountancy and currently I am studying my AAT Level 2 so far I've completed BA1 and will take my BA2 exam next week.
I have also decided while studying for my AAT, I will also study IAB Level 1 in Computerised Bookkeeping and then go on to do level 2 & 3, in order to gain knowledge in Sage 50 and a recognised certification.
Are there any other courses/certifications that anyone can recommend I take to improve my basic knowledge in accountancy and that would make it easier for me to gain employment in accountancy?
I don't think that there's any easy way to get into accountancy as employers want experience from working in practice which creates a real catch 22 for people trying to break into the industry.
Temping in related roles and self employment as a bookkeeper have opened doors for some people but it's no guarantee of employment.
You've done the right thing with your AAT studies as that and part qualified ACCA or CIMA are still the most sought after qualifications.
Sage is a bit of a misnomer as it's a very common software package but is by no means used by all businesses or practices (although Sage would try to convince us that such is true). Having a Sage qualification is however important to show that you can use it if required and that you have an understanding of computerised packages.
Just as important as having an understanding of Sage will be expertise in Excel for which I would advise working though the book "Business Analysis and Data Modelling" by Wayne Winstone. Lots of people think that they can use Sage but are really only using very basic functionality... A bit like owning an Aston Martin and using it for crushing grapes.
Good luck with your studies and I look forwards to chatting soon,
kind regards,
Shaun.
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Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
Thanks for the reply and the advice (especially the book referral). I completely agree about the catch 22 situation that I'm in, at the moment I'm only applying for AAT studier jobs and with any luck I'll find the right company that'll give me a chance. I'm also trying to market my current skills - hopefully I have some transferrable ones for the accounting industry.
re Excel experience; I have noticed a lot of employers wanting strong Excel skills and because of this I'm looking to do Excel 2010 Exam 77-882. The training centre that I will be doing the IAB certification (s), offer free excel training up to advance level which is good.
Just out of interest, what accountancy qualification do you hold? Are you self-employed?
If you read that book you'll probably end up teaching the advanced Excel class! lol
You'll quickly find that what one person counts as advanced someone else counts as basic.
As for myself, I'm the director of my own limited company and I come from a background in management consultancy and business analysis and financial analysis in the banking and finance sector
I am currently
PQ ACCA (finailist - one paper to go!)
Dip FA (IFA)
Other accountancy related qualifications that I hold / have held are :
AICB (I've now withdrawn from this one due to restrictive conflicts between ICB and ACCA)
Cert Acc. (Open)
Diploma in Credit Control and Debt Management
What sort of skills do you use in your current role?
Shaun.
__________________
Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
My current role allows me to build relationships with members of Senior Management within a large multi-national corporation and I'm hoping that this ability to build relationships and communicate with these types of people will put me in good stead in the world of accountancy and finance. Plus I've done some petty cash and bank reconciliations in previous roles.
Its all down to how you angle your CV and your covering letter.
I had one case where the lad had been working basically as a Nanny in the alps and this was the way that his initial CV was geared.
On talking with him it transpired that he had actually been in charge of several Nannies, he had single handed control over the IT systems for the company at the resort and several other equally sellable parts to his role.
Didn't take a lot to get his CV sorted, dropping all of the achievments that he was so proud of and meant a lot in the business that he had been in and instead emphasising the one's that were hidden in the CV.
By emphasising proven man management and organisation skills he was able to get an entry level job in finance, he started studying towards the ACCA qualification and has now gone on to become a deputy branch manager for a bank... All within five years of being a Nanny in a ski resort!
People can do it if :
a) they know what to put in their CV's
b) they know what not to put in their CV's (sometimes you have to lose things that have taken a lot of time and money to put in there!).
c) you are willing to restart from the bottom
d) you have the skill and determination to suceed.
Just keep believing in yourself no matter how many rejections or unanswered job applications that you have.
Follow up applications to agents with a call to see how the applkication is progressing. It won't get you the job but it will egt you noticed.
Good luck in changing career paths and look forwards to hearing all about your progress,
kind regards,
Shaun.
__________________
Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.