How realistic?

fat

I'm currently a 25 year old who's worked construction for the past 6 years. I have zero qualifications and a pretty poor leaving cert. Looking back, I've always regretted not going straight to college or some form of education after secondary but I was a bit of a dope. I'd like to think I'm a bit less of a goober these days and am ready and wanting to move up or at least fake it till I make it. I'd always had a vague interest in finance so I've spent the past year researching what it entails and the best route for me. I'm hoping to enroll in the AIT course for 2015 and then hopefully go on to become a chartered accountant or (in the minuscule chance of) getting to spend some time in one of the Big 4.

I guess I'm wondering how realistic my expectations are? Does anyone have any similar stories?

marizpan

100% realistic.
If you put in the work you will get your reward.
If you achieve a good degree it is very probable to get a contract with either big4 or top ten firms.
Your self confidence is clearly very low, maybe that is something you could work on.
good luck

MRTULES

Go for it. You'll never know unless you try. My only question would be if you are sure this is the route you want to go, is there not a more direct way in? I'm not sure what AIT stands for in this instance.

fat

MRTULES wrote: »

I'm not sure what AIT stands for in this instance.

I meant ATI as in Accounting Technicians Ireland. From what I understand, it is the Irish equivalent to CAT, yet perhaps is a little more in-depth. What I'm really looking for with this route is to attain some viable employment in an area closer to finance while I continue my studies.

MRTULES

I am no expert in this area but have been looking at it myself recently. Have you decided which path you would be going. Aca ACCA cima? While most of the trainee accountant positions seem to look for 450+ points in the LC along with a 2.1 minimum degree in finance/business. I wonder if you found a small practice that would take you on a jobs bridge/ internship. If you said to them " look, I don't have the required academic results but I do have the passion, desire and ability. I'm willing to do a 9 month internship just as a way for you to see that. THen after 9 months you can make a much more informed decision on whether or not I am a suitable candidate for your trainee accountant program".
They might tell you to take a hike but you might find someone who realises they have nothing to lose taking a chance on you for 9 months . Also you might find after 9 months that it's not for you. That's a lot less time lost to just figure out its not for you then doing a 2+ year course/degree.

kilburn

I come from the same background pretty much.

If your mind is set on it go for it but don't waste your time doing a degree just go straight into the professional qualification there are awards at various levels where you can opt out if you wish

Without a degree though the Big 5/6 won't entertain you do you want to work in practice or industry

marizpan

fat wrote: »

I meant ATI as in Accounting Technicians Ireland. From what I understand, it is the Irish equivalent to CAT, yet perhaps is a little more in-depth. What I'm really looking for with this route is to attain some viable employment in an area closer to finance while I continue my studies.

Sorry I took AIT to mean athlone IT which runs a good accountancy degree. Not sure about accounting techican.
I though you wanted to achieve a professional accounting qualification

marizpan

kilburn wrote: »

Without a degree though the Big 5/6 won't entertain you do you want to work in practice or industry

I agree with this. A degree is required to enter big 4/top ten. Usually a 2.1 minimum.
But to get into one of these firms is a great fast track to get into more senior roles both in industry and practice.

The Buster

fat wrote: »

I meant ATI as in Accounting Technicians Ireland. From what I understand, it is the Irish equivalent to CAT, yet perhaps is a little more in-depth. What I'm really looking for with this route is to attain some viable employment in an area closer to finance while I continue my studies.

Accouting Technician is a good qualification and there is work in this area. It can also be used as stepping stone to one of the larger accounting bodies as you get exemptions from some of their exams if you decide to choose that route in the future.

Are you sure you want to do accounting - if not consider a Business qualifications. This gives you a more broader qualification and they usually allow you exemptions for early accounting exams if you decide that is the path you want to follow after you get the qualification.

Alternatively, if you are sure accounting is the right career you could consider starting to study for large accounting body now. It would be quicker to go this route if you have ambitions to be chartered accountant, however the downfall is if you dont complete the final exams you have nothing to show for all the years work you put in but if you go Accounting Tech route at lease you gain qualification by steps

Sorry I have rambled a bit but something to think about. Best of luck!

Jim2007

fat wrote: »

I guess I'm wondering how realistic my expectations are? Does anyone have any similar stories?

It is always a good idea to at least try and follow your dreams even if it does not pan out, that way at least you will not find yourself in 20 years time thinking: if only I had tried to do.....

Realistic I think so, motivation and stamina are just as important as brains and prior education, when it comes to accounting exams - it is a long journey and the drive to keep slogging on makes all the difference. So yes I'd say if you are willing to put in the hours it is definitely within the bounds of possibility. And even if it does not work out at least you'll have the satisfaction knowing that you gave it your best shot and have no regrets.

I expect that first few months will be the hardest for you - getting into the routine, the reading, the note taking, the revision and so on. But stick with it and I'm sure you'll get the hang of it.

Good luck.

fat

kilburn wrote: »

Without a degree though the Big 5/6 won't entertain you do you want to work in practice or industry

I would like to work in practice but would love some experience at industry level eventually(if I haven't got those two confused) with a big name just to increase my choices were I to emigrate later in life.

MRTULES wrote: »

I am no expert in this area but have been looking at it myself recently. Have you decided which path you would be going. Aca ACCA cima? While most of the trainee accountant positions seem to look for 450+ points in the LC along with a 2.1 minimum degree in finance/business. I wonder if you found a small practice that would take you on a jobs bridge/ internship. If you said to them " look, I don't have the required academic results but I do have the passion, desire and ability. I'm willing to do a 9 month internship just as a way for you to see that. THen after 9 months you can make a much more informed decision on whether or not I am a suitable candidate for your trainee accountant program".
They might tell you to take a hike but you might find someone who realises they have nothing to lose taking a chance on you for 9 months . Also you might find after 9 months that it's not for you. That's a lot less time lost to just figure out its not for you then doing a 2+ year course/degree

I was thinking about going ACA and then ACCA since I'm sure I'd get exemptions. Would you know if you can get exemptions from the degree? Would there be any point in getting a degree as an ACA, save for wanting to go industry? I'm currently looking to recruitment for a job even relatively close to the field but I can't get a call back with my current CV. Doesn't help that I'm in Dublin.

Jim2007 wrote: »

It is always a good idea to at least try and follow your dreams even if it does not pan out, that way at least you will not find yourself in 20 years time thinking: if only I had tried to do.....

Realistic I think so, motivation and stamina are just as important as brains and prior education, when it comes to accounting exams - it is a long journey and the drive to keep slogging on makes all the difference. So yes I'd say if you are willing to put in the hours it is definitely within the bounds of possibility. And even if it does not work out at least you'll have the satisfaction knowing that you gave it your best shot and have no regrets.

I expect that first few months will be the hardest for you - getting into the routine, the reading, the note taking, the revision and so on. But stick with it and I'm sure you'll get the hang of it.

Good luck.

Cheers man! I'm pretty nervous but excited to learn. Dying to get cracking at it.

s15r330

Very realistic, I did a terrible leaaving cert (235 points) as I just didn't see the big picture and wasn't bothered.
Worked for a while and at 28 decided to do the ATI course, proceeded into an accounting degree from that which I finish in May, and I start with a big 4 firm after the Summer.

fat

s15r330 wrote: »

Very realistic, I did a terrible leaaving cert (235 points) as I just didn't see the big picture and wasn't bothered.
Worked for a while and at 28 decided to do the ATI course, proceeded into an accounting degree from that which I finish in May, and I start with a big 4 firm after the Summer.

Delicious. This all seems very relevant to me and providing some great encouragement. Congrats on finishing your degree and starting your new role. I hope I can proclaim a similar success story after enough hard work and commitment. Cheers for the input. I'll be sure to yap on in this thread for a while with questions and the sort so feel free to put in your 2 cents.

s15r330

fat wrote: »

Delicious. This all seems very relevant to me and providing some great encouragement. Congrats on finishing your degree and starting your new role. I hope I can proclaim a similar success story after enough hard work and commitment. Cheers for the input. I'll be sure to yap on in this thread for a while with questions and the sort so feel free to put in your 2 cents.

Thanks! Any questions you have i'd be happy to answer.
It seems very daunting but attend classes, do the work asked of you, ask questions and do a bit of study and it is very possible.
I promised myself at the start i'd get it done and here I am.
Got exam results this morning and i'm going to finish with a 1.1 degree, not bragging but I just want to show you can do it.
Go in with the attitude that you're going to succeed and you will!

cmat

im 42. doing accounts for 15yrs. afraid of failure if i dont pass exams. bought 2 sets of f1 to f3 and just stored them with the rest of my books. maybe its time i started too as i know it would kill me with regret down the road. i registered with acca to complete f1 to f3 computer based exams and can be taken when suits u. keep us posted and il follow your journey. i have issues with confidence for years but when put up to anything i excel which im amazed. best of luck as im going to have a chat with myself 2night and find those bloody books!

fat

s15r330 wrote: »

Thanks! Any questions you have i'd be happy to answer.
It seems very daunting but attend classes, do the work asked of you, ask questions and do a bit of study and it is very possible.
I promised myself at the start i'd get it done and here I am.
Got exam results this morning and i'm going to finish with a 1.1 degree, not bragging but I just want to show you can do it.
Go in with the attitude that you're going to succeed and you will!

Great stuff man! Good to hear it. I'll be sure to borrow your ear sometime in the future!

cmat wrote: »

im 42. doing accounts for 15yrs. afraid of failure if i dont pass exams. bought 2 sets of f1 to f3 and just stored them with the rest of my books. maybe its time i started too as i know it would kill me with regret down the road. i registered with acca to complete f1 to f3 computer based exams and can be taken when suits u. keep us posted and il follow your journey. i have issues with confidence for years but when put up to anything i excel which im amazed. best of luck as im going to have a chat with myself 2night and find those bloody books!

Ahh right, I'd say they're pretty tough and you don't know till you try. I don't know how I'm prepared to start studying but I'm full steam ahead anyway. It would be great to have someone else going through the exams as well but if you decide it's not the time yet, you can just be a voyeur to my own attempts haha