Hi Everyone,
I am a part- qualified CIMA student, unfortunately i dont have practical experience in accounting, since 2 months i am applying for many jobs and was also looking for any unpaid or a trainee roles but i am not able to get any replies for my job applications. I am in UK since 2008 and was not able to work all these years as i had to take care of my two young kids.I have a Bachelors of Commerce and Masters in financial management and presently studying CIMA.I Live in Manchester and ready to do unpaid/paid work or get trained in any accounting firm to get the practical experience and want to make a permanent career in accounting or finance sector.I am a British Citizen and have a full driving license. Please can anyone advice me, how to progress in my career.
Thank you all for your time
Veena.
Replies (6)
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Hello Veena, what are the job titles you are tending to apply for?
I would try and get some experience at the 'processing' end of the spectrum, such as working in purchase ledger. Within a larger organisation these can actually be quite challenging roles with some serious transactional volume behind them.
If you get in to a larger firm, there will be scope to progress.
Nothing to stop you continuing with your studies at the same time.
In all honesty I couldn't do my current job (FD, manufacturing) without having a concrete idea of how these processes work in real life. Others may disagree, but I think you only get knowledge by doing something.
I hear people say all the time that they will do unpaid work to get practical experience. The employer invests a lot of time in training the employee and within a few weeks the employee leaves because they have some "experience" that helps them to get a job. I don't think the employer gets any benefit from this deal.
Why have you only used agencies? You may have more success with applying direct not only to accountancy firms but also for positions in the accounts departments of large firms and local authority. However dont email a dear sir / madam letter/email these dont work. You need to research each company and find out who runs the various departments. Dont forget to include more than a CV but a bit about your human side. Despite what others say I would suggest you include your age.
Hi Veena,
Why not take the bull by the horns and advertise your services as a self-employed bookkeeper? With your qualifications, it should not present and difficulties.