Thanks for your reply Shamus, your honesty is very much appreciated. I'll have a look at credit control jobs and see what entry level they accept. I was thinking on the lines of getting a part time job at Tesco's (for example) doing anything while studying AAT and as my husband pointed out they have a wages department.
I am going to forget about self employment at the moment I feel I need to be earning money before I can embark down the book-keeping road.
Regarding Excel yes I am proficient in this area.
I've just re-read my first post, sorry I haven't written the last sentence correctly, it was mean't to say what are the chances of finding employment in the financial sector once I have completed level 2 & 3 AAT but without any experience bearing in mind I'm 32yrs old.
-- Edited by wv on Saturday 13th of October 2012 10:46:39 PM
-- Edited by wv on Saturday 13th of October 2012 10:50:51 PM
I'm in need of some guidance. I'm being made redundant from my current job in January, it's in the travel industry therefore I have no Financial experience. However I'm not shy of education and studying as I've got a HND and Degree unfortunately it's in Leisure/travel and tourism . I decided early this year that I wanted a career change and I enjoy working with numbers. My original plan was to study the ICB level 1,2 & 3 and set myself up as self employed, but as money is short at the moment I have been saving up for the courses as I don't want any loans at this stage.
Now that redundancy is looming self employment isn't an option at the minute. My next thought is to study AAT and use my redundancy money and hopefully somehow gain employment with an employer. This is where I'm getting myself tied up in knots. Do I study AAT level2 and get a part time job doing anything as I've got a mortgage and family? What are my chances of gaining employment after I have complete level 2 will I need to complete level 3 before seeking employment? I've contacted my local college and they suggested an apprenticeship, but I feel at 32yrs that I'm too old and £2.65 an hour is not enough to survive on. I've looked on recruitment websites and noticed trainee accountants jobs, the advert advises they'll support you in your study, does that mean the applicate will have to pay for the study themselves?
Realistically what are the chances of a 32yrs old with no financial experience gaining employment in the accounting sector?
the honest answer is that the chances are very slim I'm afraid.
an example that I've quoted several times recently is that of an accounts assistant role was recently advertised in Wolverhampton and within two hours the agent had had over 900 applications.
You are competing for every position against experience and higher qualifications including qualified accountants who find themselves in similar positions.
Also, you only have three months and that is not enough to pick up bookkeeping.
The things that you need to look at are your transferable skillset from your existing role that will be of interest to potential employers.
At a time when nobody can find work hve you thought about working in credit control which is like bookkeepings cousin once removed. You may be able to utilise your existing people skills in this arena whilst studying bookkeeping.
Do you have any exposure to SAP? How are your Excel skills?
No matter which leg of bookkeeping or accountancy you go into advanced Excel skills will prove every bit as important as your trusty desk calculators.
You could gain the knowledge that you need to move forwards though studying either ICB or IAB but your time frame is just too short to pass even one level from scratch.
Have you started reading and bookkeeping books yet? If not try this one as an introduction to the subject :
It might be the best £19 you ever spend as it will convince you whether bookkeeping is the right choice for you. If not all that you've lost is £19. If so then you will still be dipping into the book five years from now.
kind regards,
Shaun.
__________________
Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
I think employment options are less now than a few years ago, but self employed options are high for various reasons discussed on this forum in other topics.
By January you should be able to complete the ICB Level 1 and qualify. In the mean time you could be attending ICB member meetings as quite a few ICB members are looking to subcontract to new members (cheaper rates for them, good experience for you).
Depending on how much time you spend studying, and how quickly you pick it up, I would think it is possible to be Level 2 qualified by April ish, maybe sooner if you study hard.
The ICB's examinations are on demand, when you feel confident you just book the examination at a date and time convenient to you. (subject to availability at your local testing centre, over 140 centres in the UK) This makes it a lot more flexible to qualify.
Like Shaun says, buy the book and have a look through see how it feels.
. I decided early this year that I wanted a career change and I enjoy working with numbers. My original plan was to study the ICB level 1,2 & 3 and set myself up as self employed, but as money is short at the moment I have been saving up for the courses as I don't want any loans at this stage. 
self employment isn't an option at the minute. My next thought is to study AAT and use my redundancy money and hopefully somehow gain employment with an employer. This is where I'm getting myself tied up in knots. Do I study AAT level2 and get a part time job doing anything as I've got a mortgage and family? What are my chances of gaining employment after I have complete level 2 will I need to complete level 3 before seeking employment? I've contacted my local college and they suggested an apprenticeship, but I feel at 32yrs that I'm too old and £2.65 an hour is not enough to survive on. I've looked on recruitment websites and noticed trainee accountants jobs, the advert advises they'll support you in your study, does that mean the applicate will have to pay for the study themselves?
