Is age a barrier to graduate positions?

ianuss

I've changed career over the past few years, I'm 31 years old now and I've just finished ACCA papers F1-F9, studying full-time. I'm hoping to start some sort of internship in January to gain some experience as I currently have no relevant experience.

At this stage, I've more or less decided to emigrate by the end of 2012 unless something amazing turns up at home. I'm in the process of learning French and I'm hoping to go to either France or Switzerland.

I'm unsure as to what to do beyond the next 6 months though - what would my chances of getting a graduate position be? I don't want to work in practice and I most likely won't be taking either Advanced Audit or Advanced Taxation at the P level.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

tenchi-fan

I wouldn't view someone who's in the middle of their professional exams as eligible for a graduate programme.

They're more for someone who recently finished their third-level degree and want to go on to do their professional exams.

By all means though, apply for internship programmes, accounts assistant jobs, trainee accountant jobs and perhaps some graduate positions.

ianuss

tenchi-fan wrote: »

I wouldn't view someone who's in the middle of their professional exams as eligible for a graduate programme.

They're more for someone who recently finished their third-level degree and want to go on to do their professional exams.

By all means though, apply for internship programmes, accounts assistant jobs, trainee accountant jobs and perhaps some graduate positions.

Sorry, I should have mentioned that I'm included in the Oxford Brookes Degree programme so I would be getting a BSc in Applied Accounting.

edit; In 5/6 years time I would really, really, really like to do this course http://www.imd.org/programs/mba/index.cfm

Having a foreign language and experience of working abroad would greatly enhance my application. Tbh, I'm looking at anything that would increase my chances of getting in to the programme.

MrMatisse

Thats one of the most competitive MBA's in europe to get into. I think it costs almost 100 thousand dollars also....

tenchi-fan

MrMatisse wrote: »

Thats one of the most competitive MBA's in europe to get into. I think it costs almost 100 thousand dollars also....

:O
Wonder if the government will give the op a grant

ianuss

I know how tough it is to get in to. Entry requirements vary from year to and it costs about €40,000 for 11 months tuition. I've already spoken with them and they've suggested that I should learn a language and work abroad to bolster my chances. I also reckon the personal and professional development I'd gain from a grad. programme would be enormously beneficial. Hence my question.......

Am I too old?

Jim2007

ianuss wrote: »

Am I too old?

in a Swiss context not at all. There are plenty of Swiss multinationals offering such programs, even in English only, so give it a go.

Pawwed Rig

ianuss wrote: »

Am I too old?

There are people in my office on graduate programmes older than you. One in 35 and the other is 38. You're never too old

ianuss

That's good to hear. Thanks to the last two posters for the info.

stingey

I just got offered a place on a graduate programme at the age of 30 and I don't have any qualifications other than a good business degree. You should be aware that graduate programmes are usually geared towards a particular qualification so do your research.

ianuss

stingey wrote: »

I just got offered a place on a graduate programme at the age of 30 and I don't have any qualifications other than a good business degree. You should be aware that graduate programmes are usually geared towards a particular qualification so do your research.

Cheers for the heads up. I've yet to properly start researching it yet as I was concerned that I may have been wasting my time. Thanks for setting me straight guys - I appreciate it.

tenchi-fan

stingey wrote: »

I just got offered a place on a graduate programme at the age of 30 and I don't have any qualifications other than a good business degree. You should be aware that graduate programmes are usually geared towards a particular qualification so do your research.

When did you graduate? And what experience did you have?

I'd like to move from Company Accounting / Financial analyst roles to a more business analyst or.. well, interesting role. Do you reckon there's much point applying for a graduate role bearing in mind I did ACCA 5 years ago and my BA 5 years before that?

Oh, as for the op, I hear some european countries allow you to do masters for free.. that might save you a few quid.

ianuss

tenchi-fan wrote: »

Oh, as for the op, I hear some european countries allow you to do masters for free.. that might save you a few quid.

Whilst I appreciate the sentiment, could you be any more vague? And tbh, I'm not overly interested in any other courses beyond the one I linked to.

tenchi-fan

ianuss wrote: »

Whilst I appreciate the sentiment, could you be any more vague?

Hopefully you're not doing a masters through research :rolleyes:

A friend told me Denmark but I'm sure there are others. Here, let me google it for you.

ianuss

It's hardly any help when you've only narrowed it down to the whole continent of Europe. All you've contributed so far is a an emoticon. I thought the accountancy forum was supposed to be a serious forum?

tenchi-fan

ianuss wrote: »

It's hardly any help when you've only narrowed it down to the whole continent of Europe.

This just demonstrates your idleness. Well you know I'm not talking about the UK or Ireland... and what European countries often offer third-level study through English? Google is your friend. You're being especially rude considering it's clear you weren't aware of the fact you could do a masters for free..

And it's a realistic option that would give you a lot of experience and really launch a professional career, seeing as there is next to no chance of you doing that pipe-dream of a masters you linked to earlier in the thread.

Newsflash: you won't get onto that course. Your academic background boils down to part-time home study in foundation / multiple choice papers and a distance learning degree that you haven't even completed yet. You have a half-assed plan to learn a foreign language through distance learning. You don't have 5-10 years experience as a leader in industry and you're not likely to gain it any time soon. Even if you found an internship in a years time, after 9 months of filing and shredding you'll be back to twiddling your thumbs.

Enjoy the reality check. If you need any more advice just ask

ianuss

Thanks for the snotty response and emoticon. I only wanted to know was I too old for a graduate programme. And my question has been answered by other poster's. I'm not looking to do a general masters. I appreciate you were most likely only trying to help, even if you did have to resort to roll eyes and sarcasm.

Your first suggestion of "I hear some european countries allow you to do masters for free.." is hardly much help to anyone. If I took everything random people said on the internet, without any evidence or information backing it up (a link at the very least) - I'd be a moron, frankly.

And you followed that up with "A friend told me Denmark but I'm sure there are others".......which carries about as much weight as your previous post.

FYI, having completed the F papers I only have to complete a thesis-type project to get a BSc. Also, I already have conversation French - the classes I'm taking are for business French. And lastly, whilst I may not get into that course, I'm going to try and give myself the best possible chance.

tenchi-fan

ianuss wrote: »

And lastly, whilst I may not get into that course, I'm going to try and give myself the best possible chance.

I'll light a candle for ya.

kilburn

Techni-fan, seeing as you are being so rude to theOP about his idleness as you put it and lack of investigation into his current course situation, you may be enlightened by the following.

The OP has done F1-F9 on their own which is a great achievement and said that graduate positions are not for people who are half way through their professional exams.

Most business degrees in Ireland get you exemptions from at least 3 up to 6 or 7 papers, so by tour reasoning graduate positions are not for these people either.

OP you are not too old, I am studying CIMA on my own and doing an internship, put the work in and you will get a job at the end of it, **** the begrudgers

Havent a Saloman Kalou

ian . I'm a qualified bricklayer and i am starting the cima after xmas. I got asked when did i start work , I was 17 so i have been working for 15 years(that makes me 32 , don't do accounts if you didn't get that) I have to work till I'm 65 so I have a long way to go and I'm f**ked if I'm laying blocks for another 33 years.
Give it a shot mate.

Jim2007

ianuss wrote: »

FYI, having completed the F papers I only have to complete a thesis-type project to get a BSc. Also, I already have conversation French - the classes I'm taking are for business French. And lastly, whilst I may not get into that course, I'm going to try and give myself the best possible chance.

I've spent the last 22 years in Switzerland and I am a qualified accountant (FCA), but I've never actually worked as an accountant here, because there is always something more interesting to do!!! What I can tell you is that there are very few qualified accountants here and even part qualifiers with limited experience should be able to land a job, especially if you have a basic knowledge of one of the three national languages.

Most people who work in accounting here come out of school at 16, do what is called a commercial apprenticeship for 4 years - one day a week at school and 4 days on the job. So a part qualified has a good chance of landing a decent position.

I'd suggest you do up a CV and start searching - check out monster.ch, register with michaelpage.ch and so on.

Good luck.

Pawwed Rig

tenchi-fan wrote: »

I wouldn't view someone who's in the middle of their professional exams as eligible for a graduate programme.

They're more for someone who recently finished their third-level degree and want to go on to do their professional exams.

Ehh F1-F9 would be the exact same level as an Hons degree in Acc and Fin. I know this because when I got my degree I was granted these exact exemptions. I am not sure on what basis you are saying that he wouldn't be eligible for a graduate programme?

Most firms use ACA however they are open to allowing applicants to continue with the ACCA if it is already started.

Not sure of the reasons for the negativity. This is usually a much more positive forum

tenchi-fan

Pawwed Rig wrote: »

Ehh F1-F9 would be the exact same level as an Hons degree in Acc and Fin. I know this because when I got my degree I was granted these exact exemptions. I am not sure on what basis you are saying that he wouldn't be eligible for a graduate programme?

A degree > F1-F9.

When the op first posted he didn't make it clear he was studying towards a degree. IMO there's a chance a professional qualification alone (without a degree) would not be eligible for a graduate programme.

Pawwed Rig

tenchi-fan wrote: »

A degree > F1-F9.

When the op first posted he didn't make it clear he was studying towards a degree. IMO there's a chance a professional qualification alone (without a degree) would not be eligible for a graduate programme.

For someone who wants to be an accountant a degree is a means to gain entry to a company to allow them to commence professional exams. In ACA terms a relevant degree will allow the bearer exemptions from CAP1 but they will still need to complete CAP2 and FAE. With no degree an applicant can do CAP1, CAP2 and FAE and get the same qualification.
In ACCA terms a relevant degree will entitle the bearer to exemptions from F1-F9 but they will still need to complete the P exams. Alternatively the candidate can go straight in and do the exams F1-F9. Not going to argue over which one is > than the other but they both leave you professionally at the same level.

If I want to run up 100 steps I can do them 1 at a time or 5 at a time running frontwards or backwards but I still end up at step 100.

The OP was merely asking a question about age and his eligility for graduate programmes which I believe we have answered.

tenchi-fan

Pawwed Rig wrote: »

The OP was merely asking a question about age and his eligility for graduate programmes which I believe we have answered.

I agree, age isn't an issue.

31 is not too old to do a graduate programme, providing you're a graduate!