Finance Assistant to Accountant - how?

[GMH1974]

I've just had an agent saying they wouldn't put me forward for a Finance Assistant role because I ultimately want to be an accountant in a firm. But I need to get more experience and the firms seem to take people on at set times of year. I can't sit here doing nothing until September 2024. I finished a Finance Assistant role at the beginning of last month. A friend who has less experience (I know because I helped her with the CV) has managed to get a Finance Assistant role but agents are saying because I'm doing AAT Level 3 do I want to ultimately be an accountant. My friend stopped at level 2. I am ambitious but I need experience. I'm trying to make a career change due to my hearing not being good enough for my previous role. It's so frustrating. I'm also not a recent graduate, I graduated decades ago.

Fixed term roles or maternity leave? Roles in bigger organisations/with big finance teams who might be less concerned about candidates wanting to progress?

Thank you. I'm quite happy to start at the bottom but I'm so frustrated with people not wanting to give me a chance because I'm a graduate and they think I won't stay long.

Try going for assistant/junior/trainee accountant roles. I work in industry and advise the finance assistants to aim for those roles next. Although they’re mostly finance grads studying ACCA. I’m surprised AAT L3 is an issue. Industry jobs recruit all year round. Smaller companies can offer more scope to gain experience - I made the jump in the same role, just job title change, as the business grew I took on more responsibilities.

If you have AAT level 3 then it's worth sending a CV to any accountancy practices near you in case they're hiring accounts assistants. Firms are desperate for people at the moment. If you show you're keen and you work hard then they might then offer to put you forward for your professional exams to become a qualified accountant later on.

Try temping roles for a while - it's a good way into a permanent job - cheaper and less risky for companies to hire someone who they have observed in a work environment.

I'm in practice in a mid-tier firm and we absolutely take on trainee accountants throughout the year, both totally new and part-qual, mid-way through exams etc.

We've got someone starting in a couple of weeks who is then taking an exam on the Wed.

If that's the role you want then keep applying for it throughout the year.