25 and thinking of starting accountancy

he man rugger

Hi everyone, just a quick few questions for you. Forgive me if they are quite basic. I'm 25, have a Bachelor of Commerce from UCD and a Masters in iBusiness from Smurfit School. In my final year of Commerce, I majored in marketing (in retrospect I think it was a mistake). I then studied iBusiness in Smurfit school and have been working as an international project coordinator for a large multinational firm over the past year. However, I really feel that the fact I don't have a specific "profession" means I can be easily thrown between projects which is quite frustrating.


Is it too late for me to go down the big four route? Were I to do, for example, the postgraduate one year course in accounting in DIT, would the big four give me the time of day were I to apply? Has anyone else experience of getting into accounting at such an age? Any suggestions greatly appreciated! I'm an analytic person by nature and enjoyed accounting modules I did in UCD so this is something I am strongly considering. Thanks.

bigmc23

he man rugger wrote: »

Hi everyone, just a quick few questions for you. Forgive me if they are quite basic. I'm 25, have a Bachelor of Commerce from UCD and a Masters in iBusiness from Smurfit School. In my final year of Commerce, I majored in marketing (in retrospect I think it was a mistake). I then studied iBusiness in Smurfit school and have been working as an international project coordinator for a large multinational firm over the past year. However, I really feel that the fact I don't have a specific "profession" means I can be easily thrown between projects which is quite frustrating.


Is it too late for me to go down the big four route? Were I to do, for example, the postgraduate one year course in accounting in DIT, would the big four give me the time of day were I to apply? Has anyone else experience of getting into accounting at such an age? Any suggestions greatly appreciated! I'm an analytic person by nature and enjoyed accounting modules I did in UCD so this is something I am strongly considering. Thanks.

Your age isn't a problem. It boils down to your LC points and undergrad classification really

he man rugger

bigmc23 wrote: »

Your age isn't a problem. It boils down to your LC points and undergrad classification really

490 and a 2:1 in my B.Comm. Good to know anyway, thanks.

secman

he man rugger wrote: »

490 and a 2:1 in my B.Comm. Good to know anyway, thanks.

Go for it , it's a great profession to be in , probably the best when you look at how others have faired in the recent melt down .

Secman

RT2010

25 not too old at all. Most people would be at least 22/23, and plenty a lot older, when starting with the Big 4 or starting the Postgrad dip in Accounting.

Not sure if it would be a runner but another option is your current company might be interested in supporting you through the Elevation programme with Chartered Accounts Ireland. Another route to qualifying as an ACA.

0028673

go for it... I recently just passed CAP2 and I'm in 30's so it's never too late.. granted I'm not with any of the Big4. But I do know of ppl who are older than me that the Big4 have hired as trainee's..

bigmc23

he man rugger wrote: »

490 and a 2:1 in my B.Comm. Good to know anyway, thanks.

If i can recall the requirements i think youd get past the filters with those grades

Ticking and Bashing

Hi, its definitely not too late to start accounting. People of all ages and all backgrounds apply to the Big4 and get accepted into their Grad Programmes. The fact that you are an analytical person and a project co-ordinator will stand for you in your CV and interview. I'm working in audit and I've noted a few points below:

Pro's starting accountancy:
- Good experience, exposure to clients and different industries, looks great on your CV
- Part of a profession - which you've mentioned in your post
- Earning potential is good after you qualify
- Great training programmes and support provided by the Big4

Con's starting accountancy:
- 3 sets of tough exams including horrible weekend lectures which cuts into your social life, however, study leave is quite generous!
- The salary isn't great during the contract
- long working hours especially from Dec to May / June
- The work can be sometimes quite mundane especially when you’re a junior

Last point - to deal with the above you need to be motivated and up for the challenge. A lot of people aren't so you'd hear a lot of complaining / moaning which I hate haha.

Best of luck

Kingkong

he man rugger wrote: »

However, I really feel that the fact I don't have a specific "profession" means I can be easily thrown between projects which is quite frustrating.


Is it too late for me to go down the big four route? Were I to do, for example, the postgraduate one year course in accounting in DIT, would the big four give me the time of day were I to apply? Has anyone else experience of getting into accounting at such an age?

Its certainly not too late. However you should check out the lensiter society salary survey and see if it matches your expectations.

You may find it means taking a salary drop and accountantancy is not as well paid as it once was.

If it is the analytics you like also worth considering Data Analytics its a big area at the moment.