Hi
Im thinking of taking up ACCA at age 36 and wondered if any out there were in a similar position and could advise me if it would be worth my while. I have limited accounting experience and intend to do evening courses. I hope to qualify by age 40!
Also if ACCA is inappropiate what would you advise, AAT or CIPFA? Im particularly keen on CIPFA but dont work in Public Sector.
Any comments to the above would be most helpful!
Paul S.
Replies (5)
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Life begins at 40!
When do you plan to retire? You probably have another 20 - 25 years of working life ahead of you at 40 and many consider a career change at this age. You say you have limited experience of working in accounts so you should make sure you find a niche in this very varied industry that you would want to work in and could get a job in. At 43 I am currently studying for my ACCA final exams having passed the earlier papers using evening classes at my local college. The studying is hard work and you will need an understanding family but I have not regretted doing the exams and they have given me a more interesting career.
..what sort of work do you want to do?
At twenty ACCA is a great idea cos it can open doors and get you places where you can make decisions about what you want to do. After 30 we have to think more specifically about what we are hoping to do with the qualification as time for experimentation / trial & error gets a wee bit tight.
You need to look very carefully at what is involved in each qualification - it is a lot of hard work to throw away on something that does not actually take you to where you want to be. There is a wealth of info from each of the controlling bodies - I'm afraid you have to read all of it yourself because only you can say what is right for you.
Never too late
No go for it, see if you can get into an accountancy firm and also get experience. I believe they are crying out for experienced staff. Anyway going for a qualification shows you have a learning curve.
I started my exams at the grand age of 39, qualified 4/5 years later as MAAT and ATII (Accounting technician and Chartered Tax Advisor)
Now self employed and no looking back.
Good Luck