I'm currently teaching English at the college level in China but would like to transition to accounting after moving back to the UK. My work experience before teaching is admin and recruitment related, so I don't have any accounting experience at all. My concern is that being 32 years old without prior experience will prove to be a stumbling block for me.
I'd like to begin studying for the ACCA qualification, but I don't want to take the leap before having a better understanding of the potential job prospects at the end of it. I'd be entitled to one exam exemption as I have an undergraduate degree in business management. I know that passing the exams is no easy task, however, I feel as though gaining experience may be the most difficult task for someone in my position.
I'd appreciate any suggestions or advice which may offer some guidance.
Replies (7)
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Yours is a question that gets asked on here about once a month (along with similar questions about how to get out of accountancy).
https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/any-answers/advice-for-a-potential-caree...
https://www.accountancyage.com/2018/03/15/move-accountancy-another-career/
https://www.aat.org.uk/career-in-finance/changing-career
https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/any-answers/advice-on-a-career-change-in...
https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/any-answers/is-it-too-late-to-make-a-car...
https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/any-answers/advice-on-a-career-change-to...
https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/any-answers/i-dont-want-to-be-an-account...
It's not so much your age as your motivation.
Why accountancy - rather than just it being Not Teaching? You need to be clear about that and able to convince someone hiring you of your commitment.
And are you so committed to it that you're happy to start at the bottom, being junior to people younger than you, studying 10-15 hours a week?
If you are good at communicating information then you may want to look outside the pure accountancy roles and look at tax.
Tax roles are often less about spreadsheets/bean counting and more about explaining complex ideas to clients in a way they can understand.