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I’m a London/UK based ACCA student. I have passed ACCA F1-F4 so far. I’m sitting F5 and F6 in June. I’m 37 years old, have a degree and masters from good unis (though not in business/accounting subjects) and run my own small property business.
Thus far I’ve been self-studying using OpenTuition and sometimes the BPP course notes, so I don’t have a training contract, nor have I completed any of the Practical Experience Requirement tasks yet.
I need an entry-level accounting job to make progress with the PER. Thus far I’ve been applying for jobs listed under the heading “assistant accountant” or “part-qualified accountant” with little response. Of course it could be down to issues on my CV (either presentation or content) but I’m wondering if I’m aiming too high given my level of experience and the number of exams I’ve passed?
At my stage, would I be better off searching for jobs described as “bookkeeper”? What about other job titles? What I want to know is the approximate ranking of the various job titles. What’s the easiest / most realistic entry point? What roles should I search for on the various career websites?
Hi there,
I am also applying for the same kind of jobs and I have had some offers from reed.co.uk.
Basically I made a profile on reed accountancy and I uploaded my CV and cover letter. So they have been calling me with full time job offers for junior accounting admin, accounts assistant, trainee accountant.
Also you could put up your CV on recruitment agency websites like Brook Street, Hays Accountancy, cityjobs (if you are in London).
Please don’t apply for Bookkeeper jobs as they want fully qualified AAT students.
Good luck.
Hope my advise helpsThat’s helpful, thanks. Some of the bookkeeping jobs say AAT or ACCA which isn’t helpful if in reality most prefer AAT. So junior accounting admin, accounts assistant, trainee accountant it is!
Have you considered having your accountant sign off your PER’s from what you have done from an accounting perspective through your property business? Even if you only do a few hours a week on the accounts relevant stuff it can add up as you can back date the experience.
I have a manufacturing company and I am doing similar through our accountants. It is something I made sure was possible before starting ACCA as I want to become fully qualified but never intend to leave my company once qualified.
The only issue is that I think you also need someone in your own organisation to sign off the PER’s as well as an accountant which wont be possible if it is a one man business? There may be some way around that however?? Maybe someone else can help?
Daniel,im in the same situation
I am in the property field as an agent so how can i count up on my accounting experience?Hi Hasan. I can’t unfortunately imagine that as an agent in the property field you are gaining the relevant PER’s. In my role I work for several hours a day in Sage accounting software carrying out various relevant bookkeeping/ledger related tasks. I also deal with manufacturing,order volumes, budgeting, forecasting etc so I am currently carrying out a management accounting role in the business on a day to day basis. One of my fellow Director’s is acting in the mentor/supervisor role as required by ACCA to clarify this, as is our accountant signing off the PER’S.
I don’t think it needs to be as relevant as my situation to count and even a more minor relevant role would contribute. However if you don’t gain the relevant experience through your job it wont count I am afraid.
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Looking for the easiest entry level job might not be the solution. You may not be getting anywhere as recruiters might think you are over qualified? I had same issues with entry level accounting roles when I was unemployed, despite having a good degree and masters and 3 years investment banking experience, 1 year in New York. I never got anywhere at all with accounting roles, however junior, yet saw a lot of my stupid, uneducated, unqualified, counterparts working in similar roles, so I went back to banking but in an accounting/control role. Use your strengths and experience. Which they will not necessarily want or require in the entry level roles you are looking at
Sorry to barge in on your thread, but I’m in the same predicament. I’m a self employed (freelance) musician, living near London, and studying ACCA in my spare time. I’m 41 by the way. I’ve completed the fundamental level, and taking P1 in June. The main qualification I have is a music diploma (other than the advanced diploma in business and accounting, which you get after completing the fundamental level).
I rarely get a reply for any of the jobs I go for, and no offers of an interview. My music career is going well, but I’m concerned about not having got any PERs. I don’t have an accountant, but if I did, could I get them to sign off some for me? Otherwise, what about a part-time job? What’s the best way of persuading someone to employ me?! Thanks for your help.
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Yes, if you had an accountant they could sign off on your objectives.
Part-time job also feasible. If you’re having real trouble then try looking for work experience or volunteering part time as the competition for entry level jobs is high.marcusdixon,
i know it is pretty tough t get job after completing your studies. You look like a workaholic person as you have pursue your career without any guidance and its a great skill. however, at this level you need some proper advise to further your career.
look, in these days it is hard to get a job you’re seeking for as the competition is too high and all profiles look similiar with little difference. i would recommend you to do minimal job at first for a short period of time so that you can have expereince of your own field and then get a work experience degree base on your overall experience. in this way, your cv will be set apart and you will have more qualification than others. thus adding value to your profile and making it more appealing. i hope this will help you. if you need more assistance visit :https://www.ezworkexperiencedegree.com/workexp/
Daniel has given excellent advice for those who have their own businesses and can do their books. Your auditor can assist you in relation to the completion of objectives.
In reference to entry level jobs, you may find it difficult at this stage, but bookkeeper jobs are easier than trying for assistant accountants. You may find that working for a charitable organisation or doing voluntary work with not for profit groups may assist you in completing your PER. If you are entreprenurial you may offer services as a bookkeeper to small organisations, but be careful not to misrepresent yourselves and always stay within the regulations of the profession. Don’t give advice for which you are not qualified to give.
I should have mentioned also that you may try for entry level positions in an small accounting firm. You tend to get valuable experience in that environment.
Hey Alkemist,
I have often enjoy reading your post over the years and your advice.
I also find my self in the same situation like the others. I have passed papers f1-f6 and am sitting in for f7 in dec. I have been working as a teacher and doing direct marketing for over eight years and I have had only 13 months in an accounting role, but I have not had any performance objective signed off. And this accounting firms i have worked with are a one man business with no proper structure. more disturbing is that they are not vested with ACCA per requirements. how can i do to get this per signed off. Can my experience in teaching also be signed off. plse need some advice.thanks
my SoulHI everyone,
I have recently completed my ACCA in Dubai and applying for jobs these days. With good grades, i’m looking for a potential employer however i have not received any interview call yet.
After completing my schooling from India, I joined a business school where i completed my bachelor in marketing. Then i moved to Abu Dhabi and worked with my uncle. During my job i did an online degree course (https://www.uaeonlinedegrees.com/) to gain more knowledge about business. However, due to some personel issues i went back to my country and applying for a job in Dubai or any other gulf region state.
If there is any opportunity in the field of finance. please do let me know.
I had a similar problem as all of you.
What I did, is apply for positions in Accounts Payable departments.
These are not well paid jobs, and I left a permanent position in a non finance role for a ‘temporary role’ in Accounts Payable, but they do tend to be ‘feeder’ departments for the larger organisation.
After 7 years and a lot of hard work both to complete ACCA exams and in work hours (being a single parent and older), I have just been promoted to Treasury Accountant.
This gives me the opportunity to complete full sets of accounts and produce cash flow forecasting for a multi million pound company.
This may not be of any use to anyone but this is what I did.
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