Retraining: How to get into the workplace again (accountancy)

[CAttitude]

Help needed!

I'm in my late 40s and this yr began retraining in accountancy after many many many yrs at home with the kids. Previous career was in the field of science research but I've no interest or opportunity to return to that, if relevant.

Completed AAT level 2. Awaiting final result but on course for distinction, so a good pass but a low level qual. Thing is, I'm toying up pursuing this path with level 3 but I need to start working part time this coming year. And I want to get accountancy experience cos at the moment all I have is theory.

Has anyone been here? How did you get experience? I have ruled out an apprenticeship for various reasons. Agency work seems to require previous experience. How do you get experience? Espec when you need flexibility for college & kids (lone parent) so can't take on a FT role.

Thanks!

Agree that very few people ever go into private sector after public sector. Locally though we have fire, local authority, nhs and police so there’s movement between those and the career path, training, support and work-life balance is excellent in all of them.

With public versus private sector salary varies depending where you live. I live in deepest, darkest Westcountry where accountancy practice salaries are dire and we have limited industry. NHS is national payscale so salaries are very good for the area. If you live in a big city with lots of good options in private sector that may be a better option. NHS does have great career progression in finance. Lots start at AAT level, or no qualifications at all, and go on to fully qualified accountant eventually. You don't need to be on the graduate fast track to succeed. You might not be making 'big 4' salaries but work/life balance is more achievable.

You just need a foot in the door somewhere.

My finance assistant is CIMA qualified BUT I’d have hired an experienced non-qual no problem - she’s returning to the workplace after 20 years out so looking for ‘easy’ role before being able to move up again. I expect her to stay 18 months (which is a shame as she’s superb).

She’s on £33k and when recruiting the going salary range was around £28k - £33k for AP/AR plus general finance admin and bookkeeping to TB. I’m in Greater London.

My FTE is just shy of £60k and I do the reporting, forecasting, modelling and strategic finance planning.

I could earn considerably more if I finished my quals but I don’t have it in me right now.

@CAttitude I'm in a similar position to you. I've just finished AAT level 2 and am awaiting the results. I managed to get a job as a Finance Assistant in a charity about 4 months ago having applied to lots of stuff and not being taken seriously because of the career change. I signed up with masses of specialist accountancy agencies and bulk applied for many roles. In reality though all the job has been good for is giving me an accountancy role on my CV. In actual reality I'm bored out my mind and am not actually getting to do much above basic admin so I'm not using anything I learnt on the level 2. I often have absolutely nothing to do. I think properly breaking into accountancy on the back of an AAT qualification is actually really hard. There have been other threads on Mumsnet recently saying exactly the same thing. The people on my course who are faring better were already in roles before starting the course and are supported by their company. Some have moved from admin into accountancy in their firms.

Loads of useful & varied perspectives on here. Thanks! Had a good sleep on them.

At the moment I'm only realistically looking for temporary or PT work. I've too much other caring responsibilities to go FT as yet. But I'm completely aware theory without practice is just decorative knowledge for the CV but not useful to me long term.

I'd be happy with any job that related to accounting right now however basic is the hours & commitment level were right. As I see it as a step towards the job I want down the line, helping support my studies & bringing in some £££ as my current school role is ad hoc, going no where & no potential to increase earnings which is becoming an issue I need to address with no safety net to turn to if I got into financial difficulties (the last few yrs have seriously dwindled my savings which allowed me to largely stay home for the kids while young).

@Logistria I've ruled out apprenticeship for a few reasons but the key ones are it's essentially a FT commitment & my college told me it starts Aug & runs over 15-18 months, much longer than standard course. Plus need to submit portfolio etc. For same qual. I completely understand at the end that student has the same qual is more appealing due to experience but I can't take on the time commitment of FT work / study plus a fair bit of work outside those hours. And I'm not prepared to yet work through the summer hols. My kids are too old for summer clubs (not that I could afford them) but too young to leave home 5 days / wk for wks on end. Plus the volatile hormones between them need a referee at times. It's just a no go right now. Hence why PT or temporary blocks of work could fit with where we are right now & help us all adjust gradually to me not being here all the time as they mature. And stop arguing hopefully 😂

@Yellowlegobrick yes I did moderate research on accountancy lol. This AAT level 2 was part of that. It was a fast track course so I've done it in 6 months with what'll be a distinction. I'm good with data and numbers so I've wondered for years about accountancy as a future path while at home with the kids. As a taster my level 2 has given me better insight into whether I'd like to pursue accounting which I would. I think I could be good at it & I like that I could take it easier to begin in support roles but when I'm ready (personally & with enough experience) I could potentially switch it up to take on more responsibility & increase earnings if I prove my worth. It feels exciting to have options. I just need to get started in a workplace & not sure where to look when everyone seems to expect experience before you can get a job.

@GMH1974 good luck with your final result! Really annoying to have a 2 wk wait for the costing exam, you'd think the results could be back within hours where the Qs are either right or wrong & exam is PC based. Hope it went well for you. I'd look at your charity work role as a stepping stone. Having that on your cv will put you ahead of people like me. On my course 60% have some experience related to accounts roles but the rest of us are hoping to break into it.