I am a a newbie here,and I am really looking for some advice;although reading some of the posts here I think they might have already been answered.
How difficult will it be for me to find a bookkeeping/accounts role at 60.I am looking at a couple of different routes to qualify(IBA/ACCA FIA/AAT).I realise age will go against me,but I am probably looking to work on for a good few years.I also do not have any office experience,and most of my keyboard skills have been self taught.
My role is in a manufacturing background where I look after a raw materials store and production.I am responsible for month end stocktake,verifying goods received and entering them on a bespoke system.
I am told I have an analytical mind,and I do enjoy crunching numbers,
Sorry,I think I meant the IAB.I have been looking at the Foundation route that the ACCA offers.
The end game,I would like to be able to be self-employed at some point,if I could secure some practical experience.
I realise that vI would have to start at the bottom,which I don't have a problem with.
I myself chose to go the AAT route and I am sure that if you have had a look back at some older posts of which there are plenty most on here seem to recommend it especially if you have no prior bookkeeping/accounting experience.
Good luck
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Doug
These are only my opinions of how I see things and therefore should not be taken as advice
Hi Martin So - just to answer a Q with yet another few (sorry I do this a lot!) - why such a role? What attracts you to it?
What kind of clients are your ideal clients? Reason I ask is that most are looking to maximise take home/profits and minimise tax. Sole traders and small Limiteds alike. So you need to take the tax aspect into account with whatever route you go down.
So a self employed what - bookkeeper (which goes up to Trial Balance, although many go beyond, but then you are into the realm of Accountancy) or Accountant?
ACCA is Chartered Accountancy level - will take you c 10 years to get through that, with all the supervision after exam passing. Its top tier and I always say - be the best that you can be.
But time is not on your side. Unless you want to do it just for the hell of it/challenge.
But the other thing I always say - is dont let anyone tell you you cannot do something.
Problem all round will be getting relevant experience. You at 60 without any accounting type qualifications are competing with the 20 years olds. Bottom rung is paid at minimum wage. So its not just about starting at the bottom but being able to live off p*ss poor pay.
Also its not all about number crunching, in fact increasingly its like we all work for HMRC. Its a lot about law - mostly tax law, but others as well. Plus there is a massive overhaul going on within the industry with Making Tax Digital ( a foolish errand on the part of HMRC, but one we seemingly will have to put up with).
Would you be able to get some work experience in the accounts office where you are now? To see if you really do want to enter this game!!!
edited to correct some typos
-- Edited by Cheshire on Tuesday 21st of August 2018 03:13:55 PM
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Joanne
Winner of Bookkeeper of the Year 2015, 2016 & 2017
Thoughts are my own/not to be regarded as official advice,which should be sought from a suitably qualified Accountant.
You should check out answers with reference to the legal position
