AIBU to finish my accountancy training and degree in my late forties?

[Merryoldgoat]

Am I too old to finish my training? I’ve been a PQ accountant for years and earn decent money for my level of qualification - about £67k fte (but I only work PT so actually earn nearly £50k). I’m 48 and after tricky times with my boys life is a bit more settled.

I have the opportunity to do a degree apprenticeship at work and could start in Y2. I don’t have a degree but my qualification is equivalent to Y1 of a degree so with the on the job training I’d end with a degree from an RG university and exemptions from most professional accounting qualifications. I could add another year of study and be fully qualified and with my experience likely get a role paying significantly more than I earn now - I’m regularly approached for roles paying £80k - £100k based on my experience but once they find I’m not fully qualified I don’t get any further so I’ve reached my ceiling I think.

I just don’t know if I’m mad to do this. I feel like I’ve lost quite a lot of confidence professionally even though I’m good at my job - the next step is quite daunting.

I feel old but, in reality if I come out fully qualified at 51/52 I have another 12-15 years of work ahead of me so doesn’t seem that mad.

Any thoughts?

https://www.learnsignal.com/blog/acca-exemptions-aat-students/

look here and see what suits. Looks like completing L4 AAT will give you decent exemptions and then you can transition to ACCA?

If you do ACCA: There is a lot of study involved in the Strategic Professional level, recommended at least 580 hours of study. I’m not saying “don’t do it” but if you have kids and a job and want to enjoy life a little bit, it might be better to scale down your expectation of how long it will take. I might aim for one exam every six months so it will take 18 months, rather than completing it in 9 months

Then if you find it easy and you can go faster, but better this than get disheartened by a very ambitious target.

Thanks that’s really helpful ❤️

Thanks so much, that is what I’m leaning towards doing 4 then moving on to acca, some others who I did level 2 with have gone straight to acca from level 3 so I’m torn which will be best for me x

It’s less about how you look and more about what your CV gives away due to employment dates. I have been qualified for many years with tons of experience, but now finding myself job searching in my mid 50s, it is not the golden ticket it was when I was younger. Very frustrating to get turned down before interview for roles I am more than capable of doing. So I would take the fastest route you can to get qualified and get your higher paid job as soon as you can. It is not an easy job market out there for older people.

I think it's great you're thinking of doing this and furthering your education! I'm 46 and currently studying my level 3 counselling part time whilst working in an admin role full time that I have no satisfaction with any more. I have another 2 years of studying ahead of me with no idea of if I'll find work after but I had to do something as I can't face another 20 years of working doing what I am doing. Good luck!

Do you not just leave the older jobs off? When we recruit we get rid of dates etc so whilst we have an idea it’s not a given.

I guess it depends whether you have relevant experience in earlier years. I have changed roles a lot so some of my core experience is earlier on in my career. You can try and hide your age on your CV but at some point they will work it out. Anyway feel free to ignore but if you do some research, you will find it is a real issue. Was just trying to help.

Yes, pick up the gauntlet. I started my BA early 40s with a young family. It wasn't always easy logistically but was categorically the best thing I ever did for myself, and indeed my children.

Be brave!

Ageism definitely exists.

One antidote I've heard suggested is to be super visible. Use LinkedIn like a weirdo to actively post career pop-psychology and network regularly.

Even if you feel silly or haven't got the qualifications, just do it over 3-4 years. Send shameless ego-stroking requests to all the senior people.

I've had a "build behind the scenes and tick the boxes and only appear when I'm done" personality.

Which has massively tripped me up at this career stage. I'll catch up but I wish I'd got my face out there more!

I think that's more common in women.

Interestingly when I was younger and genuinely mentally unstable (so less self-conscious about being cringe) I often found myself being nudged into great roles!

I was useless compared to my work ethos now, underqualified for everything...but always around and visible.

The hack - You have to make yourself a FAMILIAR face in the job market you're entering, rather than perfect and impressive.

People tend to give opportunities to someone they kind of recognise from around somewhere. Rather than a technically qualified perfect stranger.

It was hard going at times but I am 40 myself and just wanted to get through it.

Good luck with whatever route you choose.

Life is a lot longer than you think. Go for it.

Oh course you should.

I've just finished a degree at 44, took 5 years. And like others said the 5 years have passed anyway. At the start of it, the end seemed ages away, but here I am and it flown past! And for the role I want i have to do another year, but I am taking a year out before I tackle that one!

I believe in life long learning, so go for what you want. Age is no barrier to learning. X