How to get the first accounting job

Passed 11 out of 14 ACCA papers, but couldn't find an entry level accounting job

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Hi there, 

I have been working in a non accounting related industry (technology). But I've been spending my spare time to study for ACCA, now I've passed 11 out of 14 papers through self studying. I've been looking for an entry level accounting job for over a year now. No replies or interview whatsoever, I've got a maths degree, master in finance, and an applied accounting degree (obtained from passing first nine ACCA papers). Apparently these qualifications didn't help me to impress the employers! Now I'm 30 years old, would it be too late to get into accounting? And how?

I mean, most entry level jobs required some experience but how would I get some experience if no one offers me the first job? 

Any help would be very much appreciated!

Replies (12)

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By ireallyshouldknowthisbut
03rd Apr 2018 09:18

You have gone about it an odd way. You are like a weightlifter who has developed the muscles on one side only, until you have developed the muscles on the other side you cant lift the weight, no matter how strong you are on the other side.

I see application like this to our office, and I must admit I dont "get" what position you want exactly.

its a real tough one from an employer point of view as you don't fit neatly into existing structures.

What are you expecting, a training contract, without the study leave? At 30 most people wouldn't take that as you are going back 10 years in wages.

Or a nearly qualified role despite having no experience outside of the exam hall? That wont happen. Exams mean little on the ground.

So what normally happens if people ditch your CV and look at the next one.

You would be a good asset however for many firms not least as they would get a full working year out of you if you swallow 3 years on training wages while you learn how to do it in the real world. Moreover with no study to distract you and some general life/work experience at the end of 3 years you should be well ahead of the average newly qualified.

Therefore you need to (via your cover letter) convince people that you are willing to work on low wages and do the grind, and not arrogant due to the fact you have relevant degrees and exam passes.

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Replying to ireallyshouldknowthisbut:
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By X3ray
03rd Apr 2018 10:42

Thanks for your advice. The roles that I'm applying for are all entry level roles such as trainees and assistants. I will definitely state clearly in my cover letter saying that I'm expecting much less salary for the job.
Since I'm 30 already, do you think those graduates schemes are suitable for me? I've tried some of them but couldn't get to the interview stage.

Thanks again

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By sfwatson
03rd Apr 2018 10:05

Where do you reside

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Replying to sfwatson:
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By X3ray
03rd Apr 2018 10:34

UK. Willing to relocate to anywhere in the UK.

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By rhino83
03rd Apr 2018 10:36

I was 28 when I got my first accountancy job. I'd studied and completed AAT and passed two exams with ACCA.

I however stopped at that point as I didn't want to become over qualified and under experienced.

It took two years after my ACCA exams and four years overall of applying for positions and mailing my CV before I got an offer.

Be prepared for a pay cut, I went from a salary of around £20k to minimum wage and it was three further years before my salary level recovered.

So your not too old, but its not going to be easy either, you just have to keep trying and hopefully get lucky.

The practice I'm in never advertise for jobs as we get numerous CV's every week. The staff that have been taken on since I've been here have just been lucky that their CV landed on the bosses desk at the time he was thinking about taking on.

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Replying to rhino83:
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By X3ray
03rd Apr 2018 23:11

Thanks for sharing your experience. May I ask what roles did you apply for when you got your first accounting job? And how? I've been applying for trainee roles on the usual sites such as reeds, but with no luck so far!

Many thanks!

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Replying to X3ray:
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By rhino83
04th Apr 2018 12:19

I must have applied for hundreds of various roles on REED and such other sites, never got a single reply.

The only responses I got was from cv mails outs which I did on three occasions over 4 years, to every firm in about a 20 mile radius, which was hundreds. Eventually I got lucky, my CV landed on the desk of a small practice who were buying a large block of fees and needed somebody to put all the new client data onto the system.

For the first 4 months all I did was data entry and some bank recs, I must have done ok as I was offered a training contract after that.

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By Maslins
03rd Apr 2018 10:48

I think it's disappointing that those you wrote to haven't even replied. That's just rude IMO.

As suggested above, having done these exams won't make you better at the job on day one. You'll have a bit of theoretical knowledge, which shouldn't hurt, but won't help much either. However, what it would show (at least to me) is that you're fairly committed to accountancy. So I'd suggest they should help you secure a job, but it will still be on a typical trainee salary.

We're not recruiting at the moment, but if we were, you certainly wouldn't be dismissed based on info you've provided (though of course potentially there might be other things in your CV, or your cover letter, that put us off).

The willing to relocate anywhere in the UK thing would put me off though, assuming you weren't local to me. Reality is I wouldn't want the risk of guilt, that potentially you might uproot everything to perhaps get a 6-12 month tenancy near us, then it became apparent early on that it wasn't going to work out so we didn't keep you on post 1 month probation.

I do therefore tend to dismiss people who live hundreds of miles away. Other things that instantly put me off are those who can't follow basic instructions in the job advert, or come across as arrogant.

You may find some of the comments in this blog post I wrote a few years ago helpful, at least if you're applying to small accounting firms. If you're applying to big 4/top 20 it'll be very different. http://www.chrismaslin.co.uk/uncategorized/tips-when-applying-for-traine...

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Replying to Maslins:
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By X3ray
03rd Apr 2018 23:20

Thank you so much for your advice. I have read through your post and it was amazingly helpful! Looks like I have to change a few things on my cover letter:)

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By John Charman
04th Apr 2018 04:09

Hi there,

You're definitely not too old to get into an accountancy job. My old boss was a cab driver until he was 35 before he decided to change career. By 45 he was running his own practice and has continued to ever since.

I'm assuming you've tried recruiters and they haven't provided much assistance? Because they normally get an answer out the employer if you ever get an interview. They also give you employers thoughts on where the problems are if you can't get an interview.

Don't get too despondent over not receiving responses. I've had the same thing myself, and yes I found it to be very rude.

Where abouts in the U.K. are you based out if interest?

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Replying to John Charman:
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By X3ray
04th Apr 2018 10:41

Thanks for your advice. I did get two or three responses from the recruiters, but most of them advised me to contact local accounting firms, or saying they only recruit people with 1-2 years relevant experience. I am in Lincolnshire area, but I'm very flexible to move to anywhere in the UK.

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By JD
06th Apr 2018 14:22

Also a late starter, accountancy-wise. Network, get to know people, offer to undertake basic level book keeping/admin support to businesses, charities or associations in your area as a start and give it time.

People hire people, that are a good team fit, not certificates or CVs. Your dream opportunity will come, if you keep working at it. You just need to give people a chance to get to know and trust you.

An indication that you are willing to locate anywhere, is IMO a little off putting.

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