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Lacking confidence/unsure how to progress since becoming qualified

  • 26-01-2019 02:25PM
    #1
    cclo14
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1 ✭


    I qualified as ACA last year and remained within the small firm I trained in. The work is mostly audit/accounts prep. Despite having no real difficulty with exams (passed first time in all 3 years), my confidence has gradually became lower and lower in work. I have been called into the boss several times for taking "too long on jobs" and told I need to "speed up" with my problem solving skills. I personally feel I have had little support and on-the-job training but this makes little sense when my peers appear to be excelling. I lack confidence when it comes to going out to meet clients and explaining jobs to juniors. The role just isnt working out.
    I have started looking at the job market and read the descriptions and often think, I dont feel qualified to do that. I have spoken to a recruitment consultant and we thought the direction I should go in was move into industry.
    Basically I am unsure how to increase my confidence in my current job and what steps I should take going forward in my career? A role in industry sounds good to me but I have no industry experience or on-job experience in management accounting.


Comments

  • #2
    DubCount
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,151 ✭✭✭DubCount


    Well done on passing your exams and becoming qualified. Doing that alone should give you confidence that you know lots about many different aspects of accounting and finance. Practices are always concerned with speed, as the more work you complete per hour, the higher fee income per hour you make for the firm. That's normal no matter how much know or how efficient you are. My advice would be to change jobs. There are jobs in industry which focus more on financial accounting than management accounting. It's natural that you will be unsure of your competencies, but I'm guessing you know more than you think. Good luck


  • #3
    fankity flank
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 62 ✭✭fankity flank


    Hi cclo14

    Don't fret, you've done all the hard work, and it's not a bad time to be coming out as a newly qualified ACA.

    I qualified in a small practice, and to be honest stayed there waaaay longer than I should have. You could well be in the wrong practice, or maybe you're better in industry.

    I think I could advise/help - will send you a pm with contact details.

    Cheers


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