Career change at 27...

Career change at 27...

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Hi all,

I am currently a 27 year old sales exec working for a national newspaper, where my responsibilities involve trading advertising space worth c£10m per annum. With 5 years experience I'm on a fairly healthy wage (c£35k+ plus comm), am competent and well thought of in the company and am not particularly unhappy at present. 

I enjoy being in sales/trading due to my passion for business and relationship building. What bothers me at present is:

- A lack of intellectual stimulation

- A lack of real long term personal growth and development

- A lack of motivation - I look superiors 5-10 years my senior and I do not want what they have

I am drawn to accountancy, in particular practice work, as I believe the industry would give me intense exposure to:-

- Intelectually stimulating work

- A real exposure to business

- My client-facing skills/experience would give me an edge

- The opportunity to one day set up on my own (a long-term ambition of mine).

At present I do not see myself as particularly attractive to a firm in that I have:-

Very average A-Levels (Psychology A, IT B, Chemistry E) - a bugger on the UCAS tariffs, a moderate degree (Psychology BSc 2:1. University of Leicester) and 5 years commercial experience in a client facing role. No real excuses on the Chem a-level other than a lack of application at the time.

I've thought about applying directly onto grad training schemes but, realistically, I do not see myself stacking up as a favourable option against 1st/2:1 maths grads - with or without comm experience. What I want to do is study (thinking self-study CFAB) around my current employment and then apply to firms once I have completed this course. My thinking is that this would show a determination and a demonstration of intelectual ability that would boost my profile when applying to training roles.

I can self study the CFAB around my current work (I need to work) for approx £750 all in. Do people see this as a sound investment? The alternatives as I see are:-

- Taking a very substantial pay cut (which I can't really afford) and get an AAT trainee position - if I can

- Carry on applying with no investment...get outshone in a crowded jobs market

I am hopeful there are some similar career changers out there who have previously taken similar steps. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

p.s Having researched the accountancy field to an extent, I think that tax (private client or corporate) would be an area that would most interest me and provide me with the client contact, intelectual, and business exposure that I crave.

Many Thanks for reading the ramblings....As you can probably tell I am somewhat lost...

Dan

Replies (5)

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By zarathustra
24th Oct 2012 17:59

Are you a graduate?

If you have a 2.1 at 27 you might still get onto one of the big firms graduate training schemes so you could do ACCA or ACA instead of AAT.

This would probably be your best bet. You will still be well short of 35K to start with though.

Once you get to the seniority level where you are selling prof services your sales training should help you though.

 

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By taxhound
24th Oct 2012 18:40

Tax

I agree with the above - go straight for ACCA or ACA rather than AAT.

Or you could go straight into a tax department and study for the CIOT exams if that is what really interests you.  Will involve a pay cut but the long term prospects are good and it is a very well respected qualification.

http://www.tax.org.uk/

 

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By justsotax
24th Oct 2012 18:49

Agree with above
You need to prepare for a drop (perhaps put some money away)....after all would you pay 20k plus for someone with no relevant experience, but once you start passing the exams you can expect reasonable increases...

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By deeb45
24th Oct 2012 20:17

Hi Guys,

Thanks for your replies.

I've put a little money aside and I am aware ill take a sizeable cut whilst training, as you say justsotax, I've currently got zero experience so minimal value to a firm! What I was trying to imply is I couldn't really go to aat trainee level and earn minimum wage style.

I guess what my rambles boil down to are:

Would a cfab/acca foundation certificate add sufficient value to my application to a trainee aca/tax position to warrant the £750 and 9-12 months study? Furthermore, is there a real difference between the aca and acca foundation courses? I'd be studying the course alongside my non-relevant work.

Thanks

Dan

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By dannybard
25th Oct 2012 10:18

Apply to training schemes

I would apply straight to training schemes, I am sure you'd get a role somewhere....as long as they're happy with your justification of a career change?

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