WWYD
About 25 years ago I qualified as an accountant (ACCA) however due to a variety of reasons – marriage, children, moving around the country, being a carer for a terminally ill parent along with my partner working aboard for long periods of time – I “fell” into the NHS clinical Band 4 role, hospital based.
My home responsibilities are close to nil now, children have moved out; I am now in my late 50s.
I am finding my current NHS job exhausting/draining/unsatisfying. I am wondering whether it would be worth applying for my accountancy roles given my long absence.
Would I be even considered for employment? Given that there will be many candidates who are (younger) and have recent experience with current accounting principle and software.
I approached my accounting body for advice, their response was: first pay us £££’s, fill out lots (and lots!) of forms detailing what you’ve been doing in the intervening years, do some CPD hours. Once all of these steps have been completed your ACCA registration to be up to date. (My registration being up to date would entitle me to use the letters ACCA after my name). This is not a huge priority to my way of thinking… Presently I am entitled to list my accountancy qualifications (when I apply for jobs), but I make clear that my registration has lapsed.
Back when I qualified, computerisation was just starting to have an impact on the working environment, mainly via Excel spreadsheets and in house systems, I worked for a large multinational.
What I would like ideally is a financial accounting role (remote or hybrid would be blue sky dreaming!) perhaps ad hoc support around month/year end.
I don’t mind some studying but would want to be confident of being to secure employment.
Would employers be interested to employ someone like who has been out of industry for this length of time?
Is there anyone who can offer me any advice who has successfully returned to accountancy after such a long absence?
Is there anyone who can offer me advice on what accounting software packages I should initially focus on?
Would I be able to secure temp entry level roles, could that be a way back into accounting?
Is it worth exploring whether I should do accounting in a voluntary capacity before worrying about paid employ?
Any relevant advice please. Thanks in advance.