What's it like to be an accountant?

[shentok]

Hello, I currently work part time and have my children to look after but I'd like to start training in something now so that when the children are older I can earn a few more pennies than I do now. I've always loved the thought of being an accountant but wondered if you could fill me in on what it's actually like? Is it paid well? Do you enjoy it? I have visions of lots of figures and reconciling them so it all makes sense? Thank you to anyone who posts x

Ooh good question. It's always been something I've thought if I can go back in time and choose what I wanted to do this would be on it. Am I mad?

It’s not the most exciting job and depending how far up you go it can be stressful. However I like it and it pays well. Takes a while to get the exams though.

I initially trained as a math teacher but didn't enjoy it so went back and did an aat in accounting. It's difficult to answer what accountants do as it's actually a wide job role. At the moment I do a lot of spreadsheet stuff. Running figures each month from 2 different sources and reconciling them. Querying differences. Making payments. That kinda thing. When I first got my aat I was on about 18k now I'm on 30k but the skies the limit depending on what direction you go in and the time you can put in. Audit actuarial bookkeeping banking management accounts etc. I'm only sorry I didn't go for accountancy sooner.

My husband is cima qualified accountant and he absolutely hates it! Dull dull dull. Desperate to do something else but not sure what to do. In fact I've come on to mumsnet to find some inspiration for what he could career change to. It does pay well for sure but nothing else positive I can say. However you may well love it! Good luck in what you decide.

I'm an FCA - just a chartered accountant who's been qualified for more than 10 years. I joined one of the big four firms straight after university so the exams didn't seem too bad as it was a continuation of the same. I qualified in 1993. I appreciate the fact that I've been able to work overseas easily, get jobs without too much trouble, bring up my 20 year old DD without needing maintenance (which was never given) and pay off my mortgage.

On the downside, the work can be repetitive. Audit is pretty soul destroying as you're basically looking for someone else's mistakes. Monthly, quarterly and annual reporting is all very much Groundhog Day - I have tended to take short term contracts in recent years, and set up my own company to do this. The hours can be very long as well - 60 a week during year end and generally overtime at month or quarter end.

One of my friends qualified last year in AAT - she did this while working full time and was funded by her employer. She passed each module first time and has since set up her own company and website (she's in her early fifties and was fed up of working 9 to 5, five days a week).