How to obtain relevant accounting work experience?
Discussion
Good Morning Folks
I am AAT qualified and currently working as a credit controller.
I would dearly like to move away from that into another role such as accounts assistant or assistant accountant. However, I have not got any practical work experience in order to do this.
Could someone be kind enough to advice how I can get the relevant work experience which will enable me to apply for my preferred job role(s)?
Thanks in advance for you responses.
I am AAT qualified and currently working as a credit controller.
I would dearly like to move away from that into another role such as accounts assistant or assistant accountant. However, I have not got any practical work experience in order to do this.
Could someone be kind enough to advice how I can get the relevant work experience which will enable me to apply for my preferred job role(s)?
Thanks in advance for you responses.
Try and get some internal experience. Speak to ur management accounting team to see if the can give you any experience. Secondment opportunity?
Try to gain more experience in business analysis and reporting. Are you good with excel? That's a good way to broaden your horizons in this area.
Try to gain more experience in business analysis and reporting. Are you good with excel? That's a good way to broaden your horizons in this area.
Echoing the above the same scenario exists whether you are in Accounting/Finance or HR or IT you will always come across the situation where you don't have the experience.
As an example, an employee in one organisation I have worked for was working on the shop floor doing repair work and assembly of electrical products. He took it off his own back to shadow one of the Quality Assurance Engineers with a view to applying for a future role. He read around and did a lot of self directed training. Of course this was all noticed and he eventually got his opportunity.
Ask for training opportunities, learn yourself, volunteer for a project, out yourself forwards where you can.
As an example, an employee in one organisation I have worked for was working on the shop floor doing repair work and assembly of electrical products. He took it off his own back to shadow one of the Quality Assurance Engineers with a view to applying for a future role. He read around and did a lot of self directed training. Of course this was all noticed and he eventually got his opportunity.
Ask for training opportunities, learn yourself, volunteer for a project, out yourself forwards where you can.
Have you looked at trainee jobs in accounting firms? I am sure we have taken on staff in our Business Support or Annual Accounts Departments who have little direct accounts preparation experience before and trained them up.
It would mean that you would be starting on a low salary, but as you progress through experience and also additional qualifications such as ACCA your remuneraiton would increase in line.
Decent (even half-decent!) accounting staff are not easy to find in my neck of the woods (Scotland) so if you can display aptitude and enthusiasm after "getting your foot in the door" you should see benefits.
It would mean that you would be starting on a low salary, but as you progress through experience and also additional qualifications such as ACCA your remuneraiton would increase in line.
Decent (even half-decent!) accounting staff are not easy to find in my neck of the woods (Scotland) so if you can display aptitude and enthusiasm after "getting your foot in the door" you should see benefits.
If you are interested in doing more accounts prep work, financially wise you might be better trying to move department in your current organisation as some have indicated above.
If that is not an option, there is no harm at looking at small to medium sized accounting firms for vacancies in their business support, management accounts or annual accounts departments (or just accounting department in a small firm).
If that is not an option, there is no harm at looking at small to medium sized accounting firms for vacancies in their business support, management accounts or annual accounts departments (or just accounting department in a small firm).
geek84 said:
Good Morning Folks
I am AAT qualified and currently working as a credit controller.
I would dearly like to move away from that into another role such as accounts assistant or assistant accountant. However, I have not got any practical work experience in order to do this.
Could someone be kind enough to advice how I can get the relevant work experience which will enable me to apply for my preferred job role(s)?
Thanks in advance for you responses.
I'd second what others have said about trying for an internal secondment, or maybe work shadowing. You're AAT qualified level 4 / Technician stage I assume?) which means that you should know the basics of double entry, P&L, and balance sheet, so that gives you a bit of a jump start.I am AAT qualified and currently working as a credit controller.
I would dearly like to move away from that into another role such as accounts assistant or assistant accountant. However, I have not got any practical work experience in order to do this.
Could someone be kind enough to advice how I can get the relevant work experience which will enable me to apply for my preferred job role(s)?
Thanks in advance for you responses.
You say you work in Credit Control. How much do you get involved in Sales Ledger and month end processes? It may also be worthwhile getting involved in purchase ledger and asking the Senior Accountant if you can get involved in doing stuff like accruals and prepayments at month end.
Another thing to look out for is Apprenticeships; Large firms have to pay a apprenticeship levy and they can use that contribution only for training apprentices. You may qualify for a level 7 Apprenticeship (which would be full CCAB membership). It's basically the equivalent of a Graduate Trainee position.
Good Morning folks
I hope you're all well,. I just wanted to report back on my situation.. I have had a chat with my manager a few weeks ago and she did give me a 'very small' pay rise along with some extra responsibility. However, that extra responsibility is just more customers to chase for credit control. Also, another person in our dept. who also did credit control and only qualified to level 3 of AAT, has been given an 'internal promotion' as an assistant accountant. I am not very happy about that !
Can someone kindly please advice the next steps that I should take.
Shall i keep plodding on with my extra work load and keep quiet or talk to my line manager about the other person who has been given this new job, or wait for another (say) 3 months and ask for more responsibilities etc?
Any advice greatly appreciated.
I hope you're all well,. I just wanted to report back on my situation.. I have had a chat with my manager a few weeks ago and she did give me a 'very small' pay rise along with some extra responsibility. However, that extra responsibility is just more customers to chase for credit control. Also, another person in our dept. who also did credit control and only qualified to level 3 of AAT, has been given an 'internal promotion' as an assistant accountant. I am not very happy about that !
Can someone kindly please advice the next steps that I should take.
Shall i keep plodding on with my extra work load and keep quiet or talk to my line manager about the other person who has been given this new job, or wait for another (say) 3 months and ask for more responsibilities etc?
Any advice greatly appreciated.
Were you clear in your discussion that you wanted to learn more, take on different responsibilities not necessarily more of the same and be in a position to do the ACCA?
If so I would consider applying for other Assistant Accountant roles externally and if one lands take the jump. I would also continue to self fund the study where possible as it will demonstrate your commitment to a future employer.
If so I would consider applying for other Assistant Accountant roles externally and if one lands take the jump. I would also continue to self fund the study where possible as it will demonstrate your commitment to a future employer.
Hi Folks
I hope you're all well. Let me start off by saying how much I appreciate the valuable advice which you kind folks are giving me.
My current situation is as follows:
Another month has past and I seem to be getting towards the end of my work load in credit control for this month. I have got all the big payment promises including dates and figures etc.
Obviously now, I am in a position to take on more work. But as you know, I don't want additional credit control work. Some of you have suggested getting business analysis and reporting experience. What do you think is the best way of doing that? If I speak directly to the financial controller, then my line manager may get upset, in that she may think I am undermining her authority.
Shall I have another meeting with the line manager and say I have the capacity to take on more work but not specifically credit control work? Don't you think that would be a bit cheeky? The line manager may get the impression that I am just working for the organization to get more accounting experience and then move on to another employer! Or, shall I ask her that I would like to shadow the accounting team on specific days of the week?
To be honest, I feel so awkward asking to take on more work but not credit control work!! How do you folks suggest I do this?
Once again , any advice given would be greatly appreciated.
I hope you're all well. Let me start off by saying how much I appreciate the valuable advice which you kind folks are giving me.
My current situation is as follows:
Another month has past and I seem to be getting towards the end of my work load in credit control for this month. I have got all the big payment promises including dates and figures etc.
Obviously now, I am in a position to take on more work. But as you know, I don't want additional credit control work. Some of you have suggested getting business analysis and reporting experience. What do you think is the best way of doing that? If I speak directly to the financial controller, then my line manager may get upset, in that she may think I am undermining her authority.
Shall I have another meeting with the line manager and say I have the capacity to take on more work but not specifically credit control work? Don't you think that would be a bit cheeky? The line manager may get the impression that I am just working for the organization to get more accounting experience and then move on to another employer! Or, shall I ask her that I would like to shadow the accounting team on specific days of the week?
To be honest, I feel so awkward asking to take on more work but not credit control work!! How do you folks suggest I do this?
Once again , any advice given would be greatly appreciated.
Do you not have any regular formal or informal review meetings or an annual appraisal? Those are an opportune moment to bring up the subject. If not just grab the bull by the horns and get a meeting in. Be up front and explain that you want to develop and broaden your skills and experience. Explain that you know some of the business and want to find an opportunity to do that internally. Tell your manager that you can do that as part of your not normal working hours or if you feel so inclined that you would willingly do something out of hours. Make some suggestions of other accounting or finance areas you would like to get involved in.
Couple of thoughts reading this thread OP.
1) it sounds like you're almost a victim of your own success. Perhaps they value your credit control work too much and would prefer you kept doing the job. After a succession of crap credit controllers, we now have someone who's bloody brilliant at the job and thankfully is more than happy to keep doing the role. If they ever wanted to move on I wouldn't stop them, but it would leave a massive hole in the dept.
2) there's only so long you should accept being overlooked - I know from personal experience. As a part qualified accountant, my last company overlooked me on a couple of occasions, despite me filling in temporarily to do a role, and instead brought in someone fully qualified. Even when they didn't work out and I went back to filling in again I was still overlooked, so I left, found a better role paying more money. No regrets.
It sounds like you're probably best off looking for a new role in another company. And don't undersell yourself, an AAT qualification should open up plenty of opportunities elsewhere.
1) it sounds like you're almost a victim of your own success. Perhaps they value your credit control work too much and would prefer you kept doing the job. After a succession of crap credit controllers, we now have someone who's bloody brilliant at the job and thankfully is more than happy to keep doing the role. If they ever wanted to move on I wouldn't stop them, but it would leave a massive hole in the dept.
2) there's only so long you should accept being overlooked - I know from personal experience. As a part qualified accountant, my last company overlooked me on a couple of occasions, despite me filling in temporarily to do a role, and instead brought in someone fully qualified. Even when they didn't work out and I went back to filling in again I was still overlooked, so I left, found a better role paying more money. No regrets.
It sounds like you're probably best off looking for a new role in another company. And don't undersell yourself, an AAT qualification should open up plenty of opportunities elsewhere.
Good Morning Folks
Once again, many thanks for your excellent advice. I think like edc mentioned, I will have to arrange a meeting with my line manager and make it quite clear that I want to broaden my skill set. Unfortunately it is not company policy that they do not have regular appraisals. so do you think I might be seen as a bit of a trouble maker? i.e.going out of my way to create more work for management? I have been working there for just under 1 year.
I was thinking of leaving but the only work experience I have is credit control! That is the only thing that is stopping me from going elsewhere. If I did, it is most likely I would apply for credit control work, and then I will be in the same position again asking my new employer for other opportunities !!
Once again, many thanks for your excellent advice. I think like edc mentioned, I will have to arrange a meeting with my line manager and make it quite clear that I want to broaden my skill set. Unfortunately it is not company policy that they do not have regular appraisals. so do you think I might be seen as a bit of a trouble maker? i.e.going out of my way to create more work for management? I have been working there for just under 1 year.
I was thinking of leaving but the only work experience I have is credit control! That is the only thing that is stopping me from going elsewhere. If I did, it is most likely I would apply for credit control work, and then I will be in the same position again asking my new employer for other opportunities !!
Hi folks
I hope you're all well. I emailed my line manager a few days ago, asking for more work and responsibility..
Below is the outline of the email:
As you know, I have now been working with the additional branch debts for the last few months. I feel that I can quite comfortably deal with all 4 branch ledgers, and have the capacity to take on more work.
Hopefully, you agree that the timing and quality of my work is to your satisfaction? If not, then please do let me know.
However, to take on more work, I am fully aware that I would or may need further training/explaining in order, but I am keen to develop my skills so that I can help out in other work areas of the organization. I am willing to volunteer for other tasks/projects and work outside my normal working hours i.e. I am able to come to work earlier or stay late, if necessary.
Perhaps we could have an informal chat (face to face or via email) about how I am doing and how I can grow my role?
Thanks
Do you think the above is ok? Could I have worded it differently? How long should I wait until sending a follow up email or the same email again?
Thanks in advance for your responses.
I hope you're all well. I emailed my line manager a few days ago, asking for more work and responsibility..
Below is the outline of the email:
As you know, I have now been working with the additional branch debts for the last few months. I feel that I can quite comfortably deal with all 4 branch ledgers, and have the capacity to take on more work.
Hopefully, you agree that the timing and quality of my work is to your satisfaction? If not, then please do let me know.
However, to take on more work, I am fully aware that I would or may need further training/explaining in order, but I am keen to develop my skills so that I can help out in other work areas of the organization. I am willing to volunteer for other tasks/projects and work outside my normal working hours i.e. I am able to come to work earlier or stay late, if necessary.
Perhaps we could have an informal chat (face to face or via email) about how I am doing and how I can grow my role?
Thanks
Do you think the above is ok? Could I have worded it differently? How long should I wait until sending a follow up email or the same email again?
Thanks in advance for your responses.
OP, i'm not an accountant, nor do i have any real accounts experience, other than what my gf tells me (ACA chartered).
She was lucky to get a training contract that paid for her full training, she said most people who're given the training contracts are uni/school leavers, they're then tied into the company for 3 years once they've qualified (that's if they qualify), i think her training, which included AAT, took in total, around 5 years as she didn't have a degree.
At 50, they may overlook you for your age (not that it's right), as they may not get the work out of you potentially.
She did also mention that in our area, you don't really get anywhere within the accounting firms unless you stamp your feet & move around.
She got very bored once qualified with having nothing to do, she repeatedly asked for more work/responsibility, was never given any/fobbed off, so moved on to a rival practice.
She felt very out of her depth, however in 12 months or so became a very valuable member of the team. she was told she was 'earmarked for great things' by the managing partner when she handed her notice in, but as she'd become dis-illusioned with practice it didn't float her boat to stay, instead, she was recruited/poached (whatever you want to call it), by a client to be the companies finance manager, with a view to becoming FD within a few years (that's her goal).
The advise she's given a lot of people in the accounts business who're getting bored of it, is to take the plunge & move around a bit as staying loyal to the company only seems to thwart your development somewhat.
She was lucky to get a training contract that paid for her full training, she said most people who're given the training contracts are uni/school leavers, they're then tied into the company for 3 years once they've qualified (that's if they qualify), i think her training, which included AAT, took in total, around 5 years as she didn't have a degree.
At 50, they may overlook you for your age (not that it's right), as they may not get the work out of you potentially.
She did also mention that in our area, you don't really get anywhere within the accounting firms unless you stamp your feet & move around.
She got very bored once qualified with having nothing to do, she repeatedly asked for more work/responsibility, was never given any/fobbed off, so moved on to a rival practice.
She felt very out of her depth, however in 12 months or so became a very valuable member of the team. she was told she was 'earmarked for great things' by the managing partner when she handed her notice in, but as she'd become dis-illusioned with practice it didn't float her boat to stay, instead, she was recruited/poached (whatever you want to call it), by a client to be the companies finance manager, with a view to becoming FD within a few years (that's her goal).
The advise she's given a lot of people in the accounts business who're getting bored of it, is to take the plunge & move around a bit as staying loyal to the company only seems to thwart your development somewhat.
Good Morning Folks
I hope you're all well. Almost a month has gone by now and I wanted to give you an update and ask for more advice, if I may?
I did ask my line manager (about 2 weeks ago) if i could get more involved with the accounting side of the business. She said she will get back to me with that one, but hasn't done so far. I don't know if she is genuinely talking to other internal accounting staff about other opportunities for me, or just fobbing me off in the hope that I don't ask again and keep on doing my credit control job quietly.
I do feel a victim of my own success as Zetec-S has mentioned in his post, sine a lot of team members have said that I am the best credit controller that they have had for years !!
As The Green Triangle and edc have mentioned above, I have also thought about talking to the management accounting team about opportunities. However, do you think this is being disrespectful to my line manager and she may think I'm a bit of a trouble maker and try and find ways of getting rid of me?? That would leave me in a much worse position - no job with a big mortgage to pay off !! However, getting involved in management accounting, business analysis, and accrual & prepayments is most definitely what I want to do. However, I do want to work in industry and not a practice. I have very good excel skills.
As edc mentioned, I have also thought about applying for assistant accountant roles. However, the only accounting experience I have is credit control. That is the only thing that is stopping me, so what would you advice that I do in this case? Apply for 'Trainee Assistant Accountant' roles? At my age - 50??
I do appreciate all the advice that you kind folks are giving me, but just want a bit more advice, if ok with you??
Thank you.
I hope you're all well. Almost a month has gone by now and I wanted to give you an update and ask for more advice, if I may?
I did ask my line manager (about 2 weeks ago) if i could get more involved with the accounting side of the business. She said she will get back to me with that one, but hasn't done so far. I don't know if she is genuinely talking to other internal accounting staff about other opportunities for me, or just fobbing me off in the hope that I don't ask again and keep on doing my credit control job quietly.
I do feel a victim of my own success as Zetec-S has mentioned in his post, sine a lot of team members have said that I am the best credit controller that they have had for years !!
As The Green Triangle and edc have mentioned above, I have also thought about talking to the management accounting team about opportunities. However, do you think this is being disrespectful to my line manager and she may think I'm a bit of a trouble maker and try and find ways of getting rid of me?? That would leave me in a much worse position - no job with a big mortgage to pay off !! However, getting involved in management accounting, business analysis, and accrual & prepayments is most definitely what I want to do. However, I do want to work in industry and not a practice. I have very good excel skills.
As edc mentioned, I have also thought about applying for assistant accountant roles. However, the only accounting experience I have is credit control. That is the only thing that is stopping me, so what would you advice that I do in this case? Apply for 'Trainee Assistant Accountant' roles? At my age - 50??
I do appreciate all the advice that you kind folks are giving me, but just want a bit more advice, if ok with you??
Thank you.
Think of it like a project or plan. Agree the end objectives, agree some gates and progress checkpoints and above all agree some sort of timeline. It looks like you have had a vague conversation without any real clear direction. I would inftallt ask about your managers progress now and in 2 week's time. If there is nothing forthcoming arrange another meeting with the agenda to agree a plan. Agree one don't impose one and make sure you both have a proactive part to play.
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