ACCA

buster69

Hello. I was made redundant from work a while back and I've had trouble finding a new job. I was working as a fund accountant, but in the last few months while out of the workforce I've received very few offers, even for interview for positions.Therefore I think I may have to upskill during this time.

The obvious qualification for fund accountant's is probably the ACCA but I think I'd actually rather do tax. Just as a matter of interest has anybody come from a fund accounting background and gone into tax? Or does anyone know, if I am to go into tax how difficult it would be to find employment?

Obviously, everywhere is difficult now, I don't need to be reminded of that. But if I started doing my AITI's now do you think there's a chance I could get set up in a job working in tax before the end of the year?

kabuk1

I'm not currently working in tax, but I know the tax department at work has been hit. Also, the tax exams are Irish specific, so if you felt the need to look for a tax job outside of Ireland, your qualification may not help you all that much (been told this from several tax professionals). So, it wouldn't hurt to complete both exams. Graduates taken on in the Big 4 for tax complete both sets of exams. It might be worth it. The ACCA or ICAI qualification will help in the long run, especially if you feel the urge to look outside of Ireland for a job.

buster69

Thanks Kabuk. Are you working in accountancy at the moment,yes? Which exams did you complete? Did you get a sense from any people at work whether tax is a more rewarding career than accountancy?

kabuk1

I'm currently working in the financial services audit department at a big 4. I'm not a huge fan of audit and will be branching out after finishing my exams, but I do enjoy the job to a degree. I just feel there are more rewarding jobs in the field.
I'm currently working on the ICAI exams. Friends of mine in tax are sitting the ICAI and AITI exams during their contract. They realy enjoy tax, but as for it being more rewarding, I'd say it will depend on the individual. My favourite subject for the ICAI exams is tax, and if I decide to remain in Ireland, I may decide to do the tax qualification at some point.

I would recommend doing an accountancy qualification with it as it would make you more marketable, especially if you enjoying any branch of accounting. There are several options in your final year of exams and you can go the tax route instead of the audit route. This is the case for both the ICAI and ACCA.

If you're really interested in tax, I would try and find a tax professional to talk to about it. They would have a bot of insight into the current job market. Alternatively, you could have a look around on jobs.ie and then like.

I would recommend looking for a trainee position, either specifically in tax or at a small firm where you will be able to get an all around experience; however, I'd say you be taking a pay cut, but will have you qualification paid for. If you go the ACCA route you should be able to carry forward your experience as you'll need 3 years for the qualification. You will need to have your previous employer (a qualified accountant) sign off on a documentation of your experience. You might be able to for the ICAI, but I'm not sure as they typically lock you into a 3-4 year contract, though they have a new route to completion.

Best of luck!