ChoosingCareer.co.uk

Financial & ACCA Courses For Careers

Why shouldn't we bite the bullet and retrain for a new career? Rather than trudging to the same old job that we've been frustrated with for ages, we could take charge of our lives and build a career that satisfies and rewards us.

How Can I Find The Best Retraining Course?

The challenge facing many of us is choosing the right career move. It's important to analyse all the factors that you're looking for in your new career, to make sure you find a good match.

Something to consider - you could build a very substantial career if you train and qualify in book-keeping, finance or accountancy. Salaries are generally attractive, and you'd be able to command professional respect and recognition from your peers.

As you might imagine, training courses vary in size and complexity - and so you should start by looking at the job you might get into, and then work backwards to see what training will be needed.

When you first join a company, you might be a cashier or a purchase ledger clerk. As your knowledge and working experience builds, with application you could become a Finance Team Leader or 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. Be sure that you choose a course that is widely recognised. Employers will ask for specific qualifications - so it's vital you have the right ones.

What Subjects Will Be Covered?

There are a range of different skills and subjects to pick up when working in this industry. If this is your first experience of it, you'll need to go through all the basics.

These will include knowing how to work with computerised accounting systems, VAT, Double Entry, Cash Books, understanding the Banking System, Reconciliations and Credit Control. There are also more advanced book-keeping and accounts subjects, for those already with experience. Here such things as certain accountancy packages and their operation, final accounts, capital expenditure and Ltd companies could be covered, although many advanced courses specialise.

Who Would Employ Me?

You can take your pick of the industry or government body you want to work in if you gain reputable certifications in accounts related subjects. Since each and every trading entity must keep accounting records, the world's your oyster! Those who work in small to medium sized companies may be in charge of all accounts-related work. On the other hand, those in large ones might handle one small area. There are jobs working for the council or MOD as well as private industry. It's not unusual for an organisation's high flyers to have come from accounting backgrounds. Or of course you could choose to start your own small business and look after a handful of clients, either full-time or part-time.

Will This Type Of Work Suit My Personality?

It stands to reason that you'll need to be capable at arithmetic. The work demands patience and thoroughness as well, so if you see yourself as the type of person who can be left to work through the nitty gritty you'll doubtless get on well. Accounts work is perfect for anyone who is structured and clear-headed. The last vital quality you'll need to possess is an honest nature - because employers must be able to trust you implicitly.

"If we don't change, we don't grow. If we don't grow, we aren't really living." - Gail Sheehy.

Investigate Your Options

A vast number of training providers and colleges offer various accounting study programmes.

You must take time to do your research to find the one that's best for you. As we've already discussed, don't just opt for the first one you come across - it takes time to compare what you'll get, and discover which ones will come the closest to what you're really looking for.

Some courses follow a strict timetable, where all students work through the programme together. Others leave you to work alone at home.

Your preference will depend on how you're going to fit studying into your existing lifestyle, and how you feel about learning alongside other people.

Shortlist a handful, then to get an idea of how satisfactory their training is, request some examples of the coursework and see how you get on with it. Then chose your training and get going. Once you've made your verdict, you'll be swept along with the momentum of your bright new future career. Here's to you!