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38 – am I too old for a career change? Any tips for getting a Finance job?

Forums › ACCA Forums › General ACCA Forums › 38 – am I too old for a career change? Any tips for getting a Finance job?

  • This topic has 3 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 9 years ago by Anonymous.
Viewing 4 posts - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • July 28, 2015 at 1:02 pm #262612
    James
    Member
    • Topics: 1
    • Replies: 0
    • ☆

    I’m 38 and now middle management in a property management career but no longer like or enjoy it and want/need a change – I’ve always been good with and enjoyed the financial side of my job and was actually offered 2 accounts jobs earlier on in my career but I stuck with property (hindsight is a good thing!). After much thought I’ve registered with ACCA and got through F1 pretty quickly but I am now in a bit of a catch-22 situation. I have been promoted at work and was involved with 2 big projects so I haven’t had time or energy to study, so I feel I need to get an accounts job now rather than later to help me study.

    Does anybody have any tips on how I can make that move? I’m pretty good on MS office, process up to 1000 invoices & 300 PO’s a year, produce month end recharges to other cost centres and work with a management accountant on forecasting as I have budgetary responsibility for over £3 million; plus having a family and mortgage means I have no choice but to progress. I am worried that my age counts against me.

    July 28, 2015 at 2:10 pm #262622
    carl29
    Member
    • Topics: 14
    • Replies: 245
    • ☆☆☆

    38 isn’t too old, and you already have experience, but you may have to take a pay cut for a bit and get some experience in an accounts focused role

    I reckon you could possibly get an assistant accountant type role if you were to emphasise your experience with forecasting, invoice processing and recharges, more likely aim for a SME or such firm, as you will get better exposure to get experience quickly

    The fact you’re studying will help, if you could get past F3 pretty quickly that would help too

    July 28, 2015 at 2:18 pm #262623
    sifiso
    Participant
    • Topics: 5
    • Replies: 13
    • ☆

    38 is young. I’m 40 and busy with F3 and F4. I’ve been a pharmacist for 15 yrs now and hit the ceiling before I knew it. A finance role with in my indusrry is what I desire the most and enjoy management accounting. I am very much prepared for a BIG pay cut but it will be worth it in the end. I say grit your teeth and get it done with, you won’nt regret it for a minute. Best of luck

    August 9, 2015 at 10:17 am #266332
    Anonymous
    Inactive
    • Topics: 0
    • Replies: 43
    • ☆

    Better to be at the bottom of a ladder you want to be on the half way up one you don’t.
    My taxi driver today was a 35 year old who had just started a dentistry degree. You’re not too old.
    You will take a big pay cut but it will soon go up if you are in the right job. Presumably you will progress quickly due to working experience

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