Getting starting with accounting

artvanderlay

Hi,

I'm looking for a bit of advice. I'm late 30s, and I have been unemployed/working as a carer for a few years now. I have a 2.1 degree in Maths and statistics from the open university, and I'm looking to get back to work, even part-time. I have excellent numerical skills, and worked for a few years in mostly admin jobs in offices in Dublin. I would like to get a job in accounts now but unfortunately I don't have any accounting experience; I did it for the Leaving Cert in 1996, got a higher level B2, was very good at it, but I went in a different direction then. Where do I start if I want to get into accounting now? Is it too late for me? Where do I start with exams etc? I'm finding it all a bit overwhelming when I look up the internet, so hopefully somebody can point me in the right direction. Thanks a lot

BowSideChamp

There are 2 main bodies - ACA (Chartered Accountants Ireland) & ACCA.

ACA is more practice orientated where you normally get a 3.5yr training contract with a accountancy firm. The firm will pay your tuition/exams and provide you with study leave. Check out the vacancies https://www.charteredaccountants.ie/Prospective-Students/Training-Vacancies/Vacancies

Most people who go ACCA work in industry. You basically get a job as a part qualified accountant and do the exams yourself.

L.Jenkins

I went with the CPA myself. I took a one year course on offer in Business and Accounting. I got some experience in Practice and Industry, up to 6 months. However, I'm back on the hunt again for a long term contract to complete my training and exams. The exams I'll more than likely have to pay for myself.

I started at 31, having moved from Engineering. It is possible, even without out a Degree, but may pose a little more difficult for us, competing with others who have a Finance Degree and are younger. We do have an advantage in terms of life experience though and possibly a greater advantage in the ability to relate more so with practice and industry clients.

So if it's something you are genuinely interested in pursuing, then go for it.

HeinekenTicket

You could try

http://www.accountingtechniciansireland.ie/

for starters and work you way to ACA/ACCA/CPA if you find that it is for you.

If you start it and conclude that it's not for you, you will still be able to get a qualification and exit without over-committing.

artvanderlay

Thanks for all the replies. They've given me a good starting point to get moving with this.

onlinepal100

Did no one think of CIMA or AICPA as it is now called?

tanit

onlinepal100 wrote: »

Did no one think of CIMA or AICPA as it is now called?

CIMA is more Management Accounting, they have separated themselves quite a bit from mainstream accounting. Their qualification is more industry orientated than traditional accounting and when people talk about accounts we think first about traditional accounts.
Their qualification is very good and the right one to choose if you are going into manufacturing industry and big company.
But if you are going to work in an environment with audit, tax requirements you need to go with the other ones.

Choosing one or the others is very dependant of where you want to work, and also what you like best

onlinepal100

OP never said he wanted to be an auditor!

tanit

onlinepal100 wrote: »

OP never said he wanted to be an auditor!

As I said it's very dependant on what he wants to do and what he likes best.