Trainee Accountant and Elevation prgoramme

Binder

hey,

Someone might be able to help me out here.

I am recently unemployed and thinking of taking up accounting.

Now i have a few options.....
ACCA's
ACA through a company

and the Elevation programme.

I am going to a open evening tomorrow on the elevation programme.

I am confused though with what to do.

• Am i better off trying to get a job doing anything and do ACCA's at weekend etc
• Am i better off doing the Elevation programme and try get work somewhere
• or am i better off trying to get a trainee accountant job and do the elevation programme through that

Also where does one get a trainee accountant job? Everywhere seems to look for experience or CAP 1 exemptions.

Would it be worth my while to do a fas course in a accountancy releated course?

Whats the difference between training in industry and practice?

Unfortunately i have a degree in Engineering and 5 years qualified so no exemptions.

Sorry for the ramble....confused on what to do.

kilburn

Hey there im in the same boat as you, jobs are in short supply in all areas but especially in trainee accountant positions, as the 2.1 business students will get these. Like you, I had the same choice to make, I would do the elevation programme and pick up any job or even a wpp accounts job anything at all to pay the bills.

Binder

Thanks,

Are you starting the elevation programme too?

When do you get the required 'experience' tho?

Is it after you finish all your exams?

kilburn

you can get the experience anytime, during your studies or even after you complete them. Go for it

Binder

How many subjects are you all doing?

I think i will do all CAP 1 - 5 exams, i am currently unemployed so should have time to study, for how long i dont know tho.

is it wise to do them all?

Whast the worst that can happen?

i fail 2/3 and repeat tehm in autum??

DJCORR

I'm starting the Elevation Program this weekend as well.

I'm from a non finance background (I'm in I.T.) and I'm hoping to take the CAP1s while working full time in my current job. (without their knowledge)

That's why I'm only taking 3 subjects this year. Not sure what I've let myself in for!

Binder

i have signed up for all 5.
i am currently unemployed but hope that changes soon, if it does i will struggle with the 5 i reckon....

Anyway it should be interesting, long weekends ahead

macannrb

If you get all the CAP1 subjects you should easily be able to get into an accountancy firm even from a non business background. Plenty of trainees start fresh out of college with arts and engineering degrees, but they have to demonstrate a business streak in their interview.

Mind you starting on 20k as a trainee in practice may not appeal to many already in jobs, it might be worth your while moving to industry as they tend to pay better earlier on.

tenchi-fan

Binder, I would consider emigration to a country where your engineering degree and experience would earn you a decent living, before doing accounting exams when you're not even getting practical work experience.

All your experience but no exams = crap salary
All your exams but no experience = crap salary
All your exams + all your experience = newly qualified, you might be lucky to get a job that pays a half-decent wage. Also, if you working somewhere and then became "newly qualified" there is a good chance your pay won't be anywhere near that of a qualified accountant.

wjc

Considering enrolling for elevation programme next year. Not working in finance. Hoping to combine study with current job. How much experience do I require after finishing exams before my qualification will be recognised?

Odats

wjc wrote: »

Considering enrolling for elevation programme next year. Not working in finance. Hoping to combine study with current job. How much experience do I require after finishing exams before my qualification will be recognised?

3.5 years work experience either in practice or industry. But it must be in an ACA approved practice or under an ACA approved mentor in industry. I think they take into consideration past accounting experience up to 18 months AFAIK. More details on the website. It's not a fast track to the chartered accountancy qualification. Required work experience is just as important.