NewCareerOpportunities.co.uk

Financial & Accounting Careers With Bookkeeping Qualifications

Why shouldn't we bite the bullet and retrain for a new career? So many of us put up with the wrong job for far too long, when with a bit of effort we can find and work towards a career that suits our personality much better.

How Can I Find The Best Retraining Course?

The challenge facing many of us is choosing the right career move. It's one thing to know that we need to change, but quite another to be sure the change we have in mind is the right one.

Try looking at retraining to become financially certified - there are many options within the finance/accounting sector. Salaries are generally attractive, and you'd be able to command professional respect and recognition from your peers.

Clearly there are many training routes a student can take - so research the job you want to do first, and then look on training sites to see who can teach you how to do it. You might start as an Accounts Clerk, a Purchase Ledger Clerk, a Book-Keeper or a Cashier. In time, when you've built up more experience and senior qualifications, you'll be in a position to lead or manage. You could then for instance apply to be a Sales Ledger Manager. By bookmarking this page (Ctrl D) and regularly re-visiting it, you'll see a wide variety of training companies promoting their websites. Check to see how they vary from each other - what's covered, how long the course will take, how much it will cost etc. Check that any training you short-list will prepare you for well-acknowledged exams. You must be able to provide future employers with established certifications.

What Subjects Will Be Covered?

If this is your first experience of learning anything about accounting practices, you'll be taken through a range of key skills and procedures. Such things as computerised and manual systems, VAT, cash books, credit control, trial balance, day books and payroll will be covered. For those wishing to move on in the industry, training also covers subjects at a higher level. Advanced courses can be quite specialised, but might include such things as Final Accounts, Ethics, Special Transactions, Methods of Stock Valuation and Accounting Packages.

What's The Work Like?

After you've trained and qualified you'll have the opportunity to seek employment in whichever sector of industry or commerce you choose. As every single business in the country has to keep financial records by law, you have a wide choice! Some accountancy staff work as part of a big team, whereas others look after the whole thing for a small business. Some people like to work for local or central government - jobs are generally looked upon as more secure with good benefits and pension schemes. On the other hand, why not consider becoming self-employed (maybe after a year or two in industry) and do the accounts for other self-employed people?

How Can I Be Sure It's For Me?

It stands to reason that you'll need to be capable at arithmetic. And if you enjoy paying a lot of attention to detail and are able to work in a painstaking and methodical manner then it's likely you're right for the job. Accounts work is perfect for anyone who is structured and clear-headed.

And finally you have to be principled and trustworthy, as much of what you're dealing with should not be discussed outside your office.

"Winners take time to relish their work, knowing that scaling the mountain is what makes the view from the top so exhilarating." - Denis Waitley.

Search For Training

A whole range of training courses are available for people looking to get into accounts work. Finding the best one to suit your needs takes comprehensive searching. Consider this your first assignment - it takes time to compare what you'll get, and discover which ones will come the closest to what you're really looking for. You might want to be left to work through the syllabus in your own time, or feel more reassured if you have deadlines and classroom sessions. Which will suit you best depends on what else is going on in your life at the same time - if you're studying alongside a full-time job, regular college attendance will prove difficult.

When you've narrowed your options down, ask to be sent an example of their training materials - that way you'll know what to expect. And then pick your first choice and crack on with it! Once you've made your verdict, you'll be swept along with the momentum of your bright new future career. Good Luck!