Can you become an accountant in any company???

[SensorCensor]

Understand I’m going to sound quite thick asking this. Sorry!

I have completed an AAT qualification, and also a degree in Business Management on an accounting pathway. I can’t consider a graduate scheme due to family circumstances, it just wouldn’t work right now. I have found a job advertised for a finance officer paying circa £28,000 in the education sector, which would be perfect for my current circumstances, but I want to be able to progress and possibly complete accounting qualifications. Is this something most finance departments offer, or do you need to go via graduate schemes in a more corporate environment?

In your situation forget about studying for your ICAEW exams, but look into studying for CIMA or ACCA. CIMA is usually studied by those like you how are working in industry or the public sector, whereas ACCA is a nice bridging qualification for anyone who wants to be come an accountant as you can train in industry, in the public sector or in a firm of accountants.

AAT will give you exemptions from the Certificate level of CIMA, so you would start at operational level. It would exempt you from the first 3 papers of ACCA as well. The exemptions from ICAEW are less attractive.

Maybe go for this role you've seen (or similar) and do that for a couple of years, then when your family circumstances allow, you can move on to a different job to progress your career.

I'm retiring soon, and from my point of view and having had a large number of newly-qualified people foisted on me over the decades 😂- qualifications are all very well, but there is no substitute for practical experience (and I mean working in an actual accounts department, not an accountancy practice).

I worked in the education sector (further education) when studying for CIMA and they were very supportive and paid all costs but I didn’t get any time off except for exams, it was mainly self study in the evenings. I now work at an Academy Trust using my qualification but you should check with the Academy Trust whether they offer a study package and can provide you with a wide range of experience beyond that of a finance officer as you will need to evidence your experience and demonstrate competency in different areas to gain your qualification. The large Trust I work for does offer the opportunity to gain accounting qualifications but to a limited number of employees.

https://myfuture.cimaglobal.com/the-cima-professional-qualification/the-cgma-finance-leadership-program/

Take a look at CIMA FLP where you study on a subscription basis and take far less exams. Getting a level under your belt shows you can do it