to ask if it’s too late to qualify?

[Merryoldgoat]

I’m a PQ/QBE Accountant working as a Finance Manager earning around £48k FTE (I work 3 days a week).

I’ve got some of my professional qualifications but probably need another 2 years of studying to become fully qualified.

I’m 40 and currently on my 2nd and final period of mat leave. I have a fairly secure and flexible job and would have time to study if I were strict with myself. Likelihood is that given my experience the exams would be reasonably straightforward in lots of areas.

However, is it worth it? Am I ‘past it’ in terms of age? Will recruiters for senior roles be interested in me?

I’m feeling a bit at sea - this second Mat leave has hit me hard emotionally. I’m feeling anxious about my future and reality is hitting about how I screwed up when I was younger.

I just figure I’ve got probably 30 years of work left and want to make the most of it.

I know lots of you work in senior roles - would a CV from a 43 newly qualified accountant with 20 years experience be viewed favourably for senior roles? Or do you want younger, more dynamic people?

If it’s relevant I live in London.

Sorry for another boring AIBU

I'd be interested in someone like that. It would depend on how the cv read, the role, apllicants, etc., but I'd certainly look.

Disclaimer: I'm not an accountant but do work in a professional field.

Thank you for replying. That’s good to hear!

I'm an accountant and I'd definitely be interested in you. I qualified with one of the (what is now) big four, and am aware that doing the exams straight after university is easier than later on - I was fully qualified at 23 but had very little actual experience. I spent my first year photocopying! I'd say go for it - experience plus qualifications and you can't lose. I'm nearly 49 and have just started a new role and have never had any trouble finding jobs.

Thanks Lobster! Sounds like it’s not quite scrap heap time just yet!

You have 27 years working life left.
When you put it in those terms.....do it!

"At age 23, Tina Fey was working at a YMCA.
At age 23, Oprah was fired from her first reporting job.
At age 24, Stephen King was working as a janitor and living in a trailer.
At age 27, Vincent Van Gogh failed as a missionary and decided to go to art school.
At age 28, J.K. Rowling was a suicidal single parent living on welfare.
At age 28, Wayne Coyne (from The Flaming Lips) was a fry cook.
At age 30, Harrison Ford was a carpenter.
At age 30, Martha Stewart was a stockbroker.
At age 37, Ang Lee was a stay-at-home-dad working odd jobs.
Julia Child released her first cookbook at age 39, and got her own cooking show at age 51.
Vera Wang failed to make the Olympic figure skating team, didn’t get the Editor-in-Chief position at Vogue, and designed her first dress at age 40.
Stan Lee didn’t release his first big comic book until he was 40.
Alan Rickman gave up his graphic design career to pursue acting at age 42.
Samuel L. Jackson didn’t get his first movie role until he was 46.
Morgan Freeman landed his first MAJOR movie role at age 52.
Kathryn Bigelow only reached international success when she made The Hurt Locker at age 57.
Grandma Moses didn’t begin her painting career until age 76.
Louise Bourgeois didn’t become a famous artist until she was 78.
Whatever your dream is, it is not too late to achieve it. You aren’t a failure because you haven’t found fame and fortune by the age of 21. Hell, it’s okay if you don’t even know what your dream is yet. Even if you’re flipping burgers, waiting tables or answering phones today, you never know where you’ll end up tomorrow.
Never tell yourself you’re too old to make it.
Never tell yourself you missed your chance.
Never tell yourself that you aren’t good enough.
You can do it. Whatever it is."

I literally just seen Glamour share this and someone on fb. Seemed totally apt as a bit of positive thinking of course its not too late for you to get back in the career.

Thank you everyone - I’m going to re-register with CIMA this weekend.