Fully qualified AAT , want to work in a practice

What additional skills I need as I have no work experience.

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Hello,

I have just completed AAT (level 2, 3 and 4). I'd like to work in a practice as an Accounting Technician, but don't have and experience. What could I do to improve my chances before applying?Should I learn sofftware (payroll, pensions...)?

Many thanks for any advice ! 

Mark

Replies (5)

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By Matrix
15th Apr 2018 20:05

I would just apply and make sure that your CV is professional and you present yourself well. Maybe read up about MTD and other topical issues (here is a great place to learn) but if you don't have any practical experience yet then you can't change that.

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Replying to Matrix:
ALISK
By atleastisoundknowledgable...
15th Apr 2018 21:16

I agree. There’s 2 stages you’ll need to deal with, without having any experience; 1) getting to interview and 2) the interview.

The first stage will be the hardest, lots of managers will just pass over your CV without any experience (admittedly myself included). Your CV needs to be professional, show that whilst you don’t have directly relevant experience, you know what is expected of you (I mean office environment rather than technically). Make sure you have a great (short & snappy - they don’t always get read) covering page explaining your situation, show that you know you’ll be starting near the bottom rung but have the academic foundations that will help you quickly advance practically. Mention some of the ‘of the moment’ topics.

At interview, make sure that you know all of the accounting & tax stuff that you’ve been taught. You’ll want to show that you have the basic understanding to fast track your practical ability. Expand on your covering letter by talking about things like MTD , Auto Enrolment, software etc - maybe spend a lot of time on AWeb just reading through the threads (the really technical ones may be unnecessary for you at this stage), which will make sure that you’re in tune with some of what maybe happening at the firm(s) you’re interviewing at.

I would consider doing things like the Xero certification course, maybe something with Quickbooks and/or SageOne. That will show willing and book-knowledge of software is better than no knowledge.

Make sure that you’re not being unrealistic with your salary expectations. You may be exam qualified, but most firms taking you on will want to be paying you as a junior/trainee rather than a qualified senior. You need to accept that this is the situation, be prepared to acknowledge it, maybe suggest 6 monthly pay reviews as you progress?

Good luck!

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By kestrepo
16th Apr 2018 10:27

I will declare that I am not a fan of recruitment agencies or the way that they conduct themselves (not least because their printed terms and conditions are usually 15 pages long and stacked so heavily in the agencies favour that they need to be negotiated!) but in your case I suspect that they will be able to make a difference to you and your employment situation. As an agency is operating as a 3rd party they can often approach and speak to employers in a way that a candidate wouldn't be able to and hopefully be able to plead your position in greater detail than your CV can portray. You will have to be careful that the agency isn't just try to get "bums on seats" to get a quick commission though. Perhaps the hive mind of the Accounting Web would be able to proffer some suggestions of honorable recruitment agencies that you could approach????

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By andy.partridge
16th Apr 2018 11:17

Needless unhelpful stereotype aside, I think candidates in general might be better off establishing a relationship with an individual consultant they can trust rather than an agency which, if large, will be filled with a broad range of personalities and experience making it 'pot luck' who you get.

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By Samantha20
16th Apr 2018 16:15

Do you definitely want to work in a practice? I think it will be easier for you to apply for jobs as an accounts assistant in industry. I have recruited people with no accounting experience at all as accounts assistants as I am able to train them up so you wil have an advantage over them.

Where are you based as we might be looking in the near future? We're in Central London (WC1).

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