Thread: Am I too old to become an accountant?

Hi Laila,

Best to do ACCA. Gives you more career flexibility in all areas of accounting, rather than other courses such as CIMA which focuses on Management accounting only. I have a degree in Computer Science and now I'm working towards ACCA to become an Accountant. If you wanna do Accounting, go for it. Best time is now. Don't waste time.

You're never too old to pursue a passion, but, speaking from experience, don't make money your primary motivation. High salaries, at least from my experience, have that new car smell - it wears off after a few months.

Daryl
LW Consulting

Hi.. I agree with Zahid.Times have change now.You must go for it,if you can.That will be really great!!

Hi,

I'm just starting out on studying accounting now and I'm 44. I started a childcare career in my mid 30s, so I've been this route before. You are definitely not too old to start! I'd advise checking out what else might be around to go into once you qualify, if everyone else is going the same way, then it's not going to be so easy to find work in that field (everyone else is doing it), but it does leave wide open the opportunity to find work in a different area of the job. Everything goes in cycles, what isn't fashionable today will be in a few years.

Just wondering how it's all going? It's been a couple of years since you started this thread.

Right now the accounting field has become really hot. Firms are desperate for new accountants. You have to know what you're getting into, though. It's a great paying field with a huge chance for advancement, but it also requires long hours and a bit of a stress level due to deadlines. During the busy season you can often end up working 80 hours a week if you are at a top firm. Because so many people burn out at that level, you move up pretty quick. And the higher you go up the ladder, the shorter your hours often are and the greater the benefits, including a six figure income! But only you can decide if it's right for you.

Caitlind Alexander, Author: 101 FAQs About Becoming an Accountant