Career advice

Flugelblues

I am in my mid-30s and have almost 10 years experience working in small-medium sized practices. Initially I did book-keeping (as all my study up to then had been in science) but progressed and in my last few jobs I have managed my own set of clients within the practice (with all work being signed off, of course). I started doing exams at one stage but for a variety of reasons (work commitments/personal etc) never completed them.

My last practice accounting job ended in 2009 and I then worked for a small business for a year until they closed down - since then I have been working in IT. I would really like to move back into accounting, as it is what I enjoy most. I know I want to work in a small-medium sized practice and that I want to work somewhere that I can stay for a number of years. I also need to get started on exams - I have decided that I would like to do ACCA exams but was advised to hold off on these until I was working again in accounting.

So, I am wondering where I should go from here - practice jobs outside of Dublin are not widely available/advertised and I have no desire to move to the capital. Should I start exams before I begin looking for a job in accounting? I do not have a business degree - and with no exams is this going to count against me in a big way? Experience doesn't seem to count for much and seems to put some prospective employeers off (fear of higher salary demands etc). I have a full-time permanent job now so cannot really afford to take up a contract position and hope for the best.

All advice welcome! Thanks.

SBWife

Provided you can have a "mentor" sign off on it, your previous experience can count towards your 3 years experience with ACCA.

Given your academic background you probably won't get any exemptions on the basis of your degree.

You may get some exam exemptions as a result of exams passed with another accounting body.

If you are willing/able to pay for the exams yourself there's nothing preventing you from re-starting the exams while remaining in your existing job. It might make sense to complete the F level exams while working in IT and then look for an accounting position while you take the Professional level exams.

Flugelblues

Hi - Thanks for the response. I can definitely have my experience signed off so I am not too worried about that. I am concerned about how easy it will be to make the move back - but I think you may be right and I should look at doing some exams while I am in my current job. I have mostly been advised not to do this in case I end up not being able to find a suitable job in accounting, but I think eventually I should be able to (fingers crossed and all that).

ballooba

What type of IT work are you doing?

Flugelblues

Tech support for cloud-based business customers.

ballooba

I'm from an IT background and studying accounts. I keep hearing there is demand for people who can relate to both, I just have to find one who'll pay for such expertise. Maybe we're not talking to the right people.

Flugelblues

I'm definitely not talking to the right people!! I think that being able to relate to both may be more of an advantage in industry - but I may be wrong. That is based on the fact that any interviewer I have met since working in IT has showed minimal interest in my IT skills.

Best of luck with the studies and job search! I am sure we will both eventually get there (wherever there may be!).

lexa

I agree with SBWife. There would be no harm in you starting the exams while still working at your current job. The F papers are multiple choice exams and you can sit them at any time rather than having to wait for the June/December exam sessions. Also with your experience you should find them easy enough so no need to go for lectures which will reduce the cost for you. As you get into the professional papers, lectures may be a bit more relevant so ideally you’ll have an employer then who will cover the cost.



IT audit is an area that might be worth looking at as it would complement your experience. You’d need to be looking at top 10 firms though for work in this area if you wish to stay in practice rather than industry.

SBWife

Only F1-F3 are multiple choice (and short answer) the remaining 6 F level exams are written.

Flugelblues

Thanks! I am going to look into starting exams as soon as possible. Could probably get the multiple choice ones out of the way first and then look at the others.