Is accountancy worth the slog now??

ninty9er

I had intended to start in a large practice in September, however I pulled out last April having been elected to a Students' Union position. After the 6 months I've had in the job, I'm not sure I want to go into accountancy any more.

Even on the salary I'm currently on, I'd be taking probably a €6k cut to go to into accountancy and I'd be more interested in going into retail management on the same salary as I'm currently on as it would be a much shorter working week (as would audit in fairness.)

Question is, would my prospects be any better having ACA or ACCA, or should I look for a chain willing to CIMA train me?

At this stage I'm more interested in becoming cabin crew for Ryanair than taking a place in an accountancy firm, but would do it if the prospects were much better the other end.

MrMatisse

If your not 100% into the idea, i wouldnt do it as its a long slog with loads of exams.

Running Bing

Is accountancy worth the slog now??

As opposed to what?

Pisco Sour

ninty9er wrote: »

I had intended to start in a large practice in September, however I pulled out last April having been elected to a Students' Union position. After the 6 months I've had in the job, I'm not sure I want to go into accountancy any more.

Even on the salary I'm currently on, I'd be taking probably a €6k cut to go to into accountancy and I'd be more interested in going into retail management on the same salary as I'm currently on as it would be a much shorter working week (as would audit in fairness.)

Question is, would my prospects be any better having ACA or ACCA, or should I look for a chain willing to CIMA train me?

At this stage I'm more interested in becoming cabin crew for Ryanair than taking a place in an accountancy firm, but would do it if the prospects were much better the other end.

Nope, not worth it. Awful career with incredibly tough exams. Try find something that you think you will enjoy. Its better for your health and happiness.

ninty9er

Running Bing wrote: »

As opposed to what?

Not having the qualification. Don't think I'll ever work as an accountant, but just wondering what benefit it would be in other jobs. It's not the people or the place, I've done placement there and enjoyed getting out on audit talking to people, but the prep work is a complete pain in the hole IMO and I didn't enjoy the desk work.

Kine

04072511 wrote: »

Awful career with incredibly tough exams.

Easy exams aren't worth doing, regardless of the qualification.

hinault

Exams are tough - and the career, even after qualification, is not guaranteed to be fulfilling/satisfying.

In fact most accountants work long hours, with plenty of stress to boot.

If I had my time over again, I would do something else.

Pisco Sour

hinault wrote: »

Exams are tough - and the career, even after qualification, is not guaranteed to be fulfilling/satisfying.

In fact most accountants work long hours, with plenty of stress to boot.

If I had my time over again, I would do something else.

+1

Theres something quite unfulfilling about corporate culture. Slogging away to make somebody else rich, and for what, to be treated like a piece of dirt. Its discouraging to see good honest people getting treated in such a way.

ninty9er

Thanks guys. That's helped a lot. Might look at a masters of some sort.

hinault

04072511 wrote: »

+1

Theres something quite unfulfilling about corporate culture. Slogging away to make somebody else rich, and for what, to be treated like a piece of dirt. Its discouraging to see good honest people getting treated in such a way.

Don't get me wrong the money is good - but is it worth it working 10-12 hours per day?
Throw in weekends as well.

And that's after passing your exams.

Some people like this type of lifestyle.
Not me.

I assumed that once you qualified and got some experience, that the job would be pretty straightforward.
It is not the case in my experience.

DoMyBooks

I've a different experience to the posters above. I paid my own way through my training. Which to be honest was though but I enjoyed it none the less. As I worked in industry it was generally 39 hours a week except for a few days each month end.

Now I work for myself and get to work with all sorts of businesses and people. If your interested in running your own business or business in general I personally think its a great qualification to have.

The exams are though but if they were easy everyone would do it and the qualification would be useless.

ma.long25

Hi

I think practise usually audit is horrible but things maybe be better in industry!!!

Yeah id say your better off looking elsewhere for job satisfaction, at the end of the day do something you enjoy rather than going into something cause it pays well.

Ull end up miserable 10 yrs later.

themacdaddy

04072511 wrote: »

Nope, not worth it. Awful career with incredibly tough exams. Try find something that you think you will enjoy. Its better for your health and happiness.

have to second that post! It will drain your soul!