Career change

[Keeva2017]

Currently on mat leave but my job is management level in the public sector. I earn around £45,000 pa.

My manager has left and the new manager is clearly happy with their current team and doesn’t seem thrilled that il be upsetting the Apple cart when I return. It’s got me wondering if whether now is the time for a career change.

Here is the aibu.

Despite no particular skill with maths beyond the average. Plus all my experience being in an unrelated capacity, would I be mad to consider accounting? Also considering the current climate my job is very safe so am I looking a gift horse in the mouth?

It’s something that Iv always had a vague interest in but never pursued. Iv Googled of course but it’s not the same.

YABU - don’t even consider it you utter muppet.

YANBU - this is doable, go for it.

Thanks in advance.

I have some additional questions if there are an accountants on here that wouldn’t mind me picking their brains!!

Shoot I'm a qualified accountant.

There doesn't seem to be any middle ground in your options? Could you not try to do some of the retraining while working?

Also you don't say how that would change your families finances. Are you earning most of your family's income? That would make a difference.

For specifics of accounting I cannot help you I'm afraid. However, I've never met anyone who regretted retraining so it's always worth a look.

Brill!
Ok, I’m quite motivated career wise, what are the timescales/training involved to get to around my current salary?

What’s the job market like outside of London?

Can you give me an idea about whether you have any work life balance?

Thank you so much!

And .... you only need Maths to GCSE level. Accountants need a good level of numeracy and literacy: they don't need to be able to solve aquadratic equation, find the turning point of a curve, or establish how long an object will take to fall to earth

Sorry to second poster....
Me and partner earn the same, I would have to train part time and have some sort of income but could manage on a part time salary for example.

There isn’t a middle ground to be honest. My job is fast paced and exciting but Uber stressful. To move over to a less stressful aspect would basically be taking away the only part of the job I like and leaving me with all the mad bits of that makes sense. I’m happy to lose the adrenaline aspect but not stay in this profession.

My partner is less thrilled because we both have secure jobs and he thinks why rock the boat. But I told him it was a career change or 3rd child he’d change his tune .

OK. It'll take you around three years to train if you do it alongside a day job; most people would do it that way. You could also do it full-time at one of the private providers (BPP, Kaplan). That would be quicker but you wouldn't be earning whilst studying. The exams are taxing — see what I did there — and you would need your evenings and weekends for studying, which kinda rules out a part-time job.

You don't need to be working in a finance role while you train but I believe that it would help if you were as you'd see a link between your studies and the practical aspects of your work. However, in order to get membership of your chosen institute, you'll need three years' (or thereabouts) practical experience.; you can do this after passing the exams if you wish.

The issue for you is that you'll likely need to take a fair pay cut to get yourself into a finance position. Once you're qualified, and with the three years' experience behind you, you should have no trouble at all earning your current salary or more.

The job market is great if you're in striking distance of any large city. I'm up north and am always getting approached to see if I want to move roles. I'm currently working in a large not-for-profit organisation (from home of course, pffft ) and I have a fantastic work life balance.

It's not boring, so don't believe all that shit. I've been an accountant all my working life. I have facial piercings and amazing hair art I love it and am definitely not a wannabe lion tamer (Monty Python for those who don't know).

I'd highly recommend it

Feel free to PM me if I can help in any way

@NiceLegsShameAboutTheFace
Thank you very much for taking the time to respond! That’s really helpful information and has made me want to look into things further. I do live on the edge of a large northern city and want something that will tax me (see I’m half way there already ) but that doesn’t leave my poor neglected children motherless Monday to Friday!

Work is part of my identity and it’s been hard going from someone who is relied upon to not really knowing my place. On top of the fact that I’m been increasingly unhappy for sometime.

I need a total change, nothing allied to what I do now. Just need the guts to take the plunge. In fact my current employer has a large finance department so I might approach them first to see if there are any opportunities.

Thanks again!

@Keeva2017

Oh yes, definitely approach your current employer: that's absolutely the way to go. They may well fund your training and you'd be getting your practical experience alongside your studies.

Wishing you lots of luck. Feel free to get in touch at any time