Thread: Am I too old to become an accountant?

Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum.

At the ripe old age of 35, I have decided to completely change careers. I have a degree in History and have been working as a researcher for a small NGO since I graduated... However, I have always secretly hankered after a high paying job in the corporate world.

Is it too late to study accountancy?

I have a good head for numbers and I'm ready for a challenge!

Any comments, suggestions and advice would be most welcome

Hi Zahid

Thanks for your reply - very inspiring indeed

I have been researching my course options and I'm quite certain this is the path I want to take. It's going to be quite challenging working and studying, but I'm determined!

How are you enjoying your course?

I must say, I'm looking forward to getting my head around something new, I have been stuck in such a rut in my current career.

I'm sure that working and studying will be a challenge, but a friend advised that giving up telly saves you time She's a working mum and she reccommended I read this site, which advises you on how to make the best use of your time when you have several responsibilities, such as studying and working, or working and bringing up kids.

My other concern is how difficult it's going to be finding a job once I'm finished my course, but hopefully the economy will have turned around by then and the market for accountancy jobs will be a lot less competitive!

Hope you enjoy your weekend

It looks like your firmd has given you some very valuable advice there Laila!

If someone had told me when I started out that I would have to give up tv I would have been terrified! Me and no tv were not two things that you could say in the same sentence! But I have to say in the last year or so my tv watching has gone right down! I used to get in from work and watch tv right up till I went to bed!

Now I barely watch tv except here and there! Its no longer what I feel the need to do! My habits have changed so much since all of this started out and I dont miss half the stuff - it was not a productive use of time and I can appreciate that now!

I think definately by the time you have finished studying hopefully the market would have picked up a bit - what I would advise however is that you do some part-time or vomuntary work for some kind of charitable organistaion - this way you will be able to practise your skills and build up a CV profile before you hit the worls of work out there!

Hi Chris

I was considering getting an ACCA qualification and then exploring the insolvency route...

I've heard that's where all the accountancy jobs are at the moment. Do you reckon this is set to be a lucrative industry for a few years still?

Guess I'll just have to reassess once I've completed my course.

Which route would you reccommend?

Hi Laila,

I'm in a very similar situation. I also have a bachelors in History and have been working in escrow since graduation. I'm 31 and have recently began looking into a career in accounting. I'm debating whether to get a second bachelors in accounting (as I have no accounting experience) or try to get into a masters accounting program. What degree or certificate path are you planning on taking?