Last year I decided to get out of the profession (the hassle of the increasing amount of regulation and compliance in the business, and the whole work-life balance thing).
I have now agreed the sale of my practice. Once the handover's happened, I'll have a little gap and am considering my options for what to start anew with next year (I'm in my forties) .
This led me to wonder if anyone here has experience (either personally or of a colleague) of a change of career (or business) to something a little unusual that I may not have considered.
I don't think I'll find it easy working for an employer after such a long time of being the boss so I'm just fishing for ideas.
Brian Smith
Replies (17)
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Don't worry Swiss ..
the 'real' Swiss Toni will be too busy making love to beautiful women to spend too much time on an accounting web-site!
Ooooooooogh
Who is this chappy that calls himself "the real Swiss Toni"?
Please, there can only be one, any postings by the said character have no connections with myself.
A very sad day in the life of Swiss Toni, might force me to hang up my mouse.
I have one dance teacher in the family ...
and believe me there is not room for two!
I am 42 and I have 6 years and three months left as an accountant (and mortgagee). I will then sell my small practice and try to secure a job with the National Trust and spend the rest of my working life trying to protect our under-appreciated countryside.
Its good to have a life plan.
Really Bob?
"If you are artistic and creative the easy path at the moment is web site creation/development. The technical skills are not to differcult to learn."
I agree there is a huge market for good web developers but given the amount of dross that is being produced all the time by so-called professionals I don't think it is quite that easy!
I studied web design for 3 years and I would say my technical skills were akin to the ability of a graduate to prepare a set of accounts after a 3 year accountancy degree!
In response to the OP.. Have you considered a career advising accountants on how to set up in practice? how to build their practice? and how to sell it? Maybe jump in on the lecture circuit..
I'm with Faerie girl!!
I'll join you at the dance studio Faerie Girl - I fancy being a ballet teacher - left it too late for ballerina :-( ..or indeed a lap dancer ;-)
For a complete change.......
Hi Brian
A good friend of mine gave up a lifetime and VERY lucrative career in IT and is now training as a Paramedic. He is permanently knackered but loves his new life.
Sing for your supper
I believe that Eric Bogle was an accountant before moving to Australia and giving it up for a career as a successful singer/songwriter.
The Master Plan
I'm in my late late 30's (yes I'm 40), I've ben on my own for 5 years and plan to work for another 5 years. At that point, I believe that my brain will be frazzled, and will want to sell up.
I will never, ever, work for anyone else again.
The plan is to use my experience of working in industry and buy a business that I can grow. Something with not too much regulation or technical knowledge, and not one of the trades with low barriers to entry (pub, newsagent, etc..). Obviously, the hard bit will be finding one. But essentially that will provide the challenge in my latter career.
Done the full circle
Was an accountant in practice, became an IT consultant, served as FD/CoSec for 26 different companies, ran a function catering business, worked as a journalist, did project management for an engineering company, joined the public sector as an accountant but now an internal business consultant in a local authority.
The opportunities are endless.
RE
Have you thought about car sales?
A very satisfying job, although at times it can be stressful.
Been there
At age 41 I did exactly the same as you. I had built up from scratch a very sucessful practice, made some very good money but after 5 years I really, really, started to hate it. I detested the admin that went with it, the regulation and the complaince. I started to hate going into the office every day so and I sold it. 1.25x fees thank you very much.
I had several months off doing absolutely nothing, a very well earned break I would hasten to add, that was so good for me and guess what I'm doing now...practice number 2.
When I looked back I actually realised their were many things which I did 'wrong' and have learnt so much. It wasnt until I had the time off though and really thought about it that I could see it.
I think the trouble is as an accountant who has built up their own practice you will never really settle working for someone else.
Do I regret it - not for one minute. I really enjoying winning clients and building a business and will probably do it again after I sell the next one.