Is it worth doing a degree in Accounting in my early 30s?

[ladylalatub]

A few years ago, I did AAT Level 2 Foundation Certificate in Accounting and got a Distinction. I enjoyed learning about the methodologies, balancing and double-entry aspects. I would like to do AAT Level 3 or progress in accounting through an apprenticeship, but I have found it hard to get my foot in the door with a trainee accounts position/school leaver programmes. I am 32 years old and I do not have much experience with Microsoft Excel: would going back to university to study for an undergraduate degree in Accounting be a good idea? I also only did Maths at GCSE getting an A*, but that was over a decade ago: would self-studying A-Level Maths be a good idea as well?

Why not look out for a finance apprenticeship where they will fund your AAT studies? I managed to get one at the ripe old age of 47! Just keeping looking and something will turn up. In the meantime why don't you start doing the level 3 in your own time this will also look good when it comes to applying for an apprenticeship.

I'd look at doing the level 3 AAT, also most colleges do short courses in Excel, so do one of those, and if you can find somewhere that does a Sage accounts software course, do that as well. Years ago I did the Accounting A-level which was very good, and covered broadly the same as the AAT level 3, which I did shortly afterwards.

In my decades of experience, most people working in accounts departments in industry do not have much in the way of accountancy training, and certainly not a degree in it.

To be totally honest, you don't have to be a whizz at maths either. That's what computers and accounting software are for. What you do need to understand is why things are done a certain way, and what the software is doing behind the scenes in order to produce the accounts. A combination of the courses I suggest would then enable you to easily find work as a finance assistant somewhere.

I would definitely recommend first intuition as an online provider if that's the route you decide to go down. They are very good. Also as others have advised, look for entry level posts in your local council. They often look for candidates with AAT level 2 - 4 and will fund further training. Definitely start your level 3 AAT and keep going. Something will turn up if you persevere. I applied to the council a couple of times and finally got accepted for a role in their finance dept. Good Luck

FutureLearn do some good excel courses which may be of interest
https://www.futurelearn.com/subjects/business-and-management-courses/excel

they also have a micro credential which might be a good kick off point as well.
https://www.futurelearn.com/microcredentials/fundamentals-of-management-accounting

But I would suggest look at roles you would like to do one day and see what qualifications they ask for. This should give you a good guide to what you need.