AccountingBLOCK - Tax and Accounting Forums

Laila · 10-07-2009, 10:39 PM

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

ZahiD · 10-08-2009, 09:11 AM

Well I have someone in my cost accounting class who has a PhD in Bio-engineering but has now decided to change careers. He is in his 60s...

In the U.S each one of us will have up to 3 or more different careers by the time we retire... times have changed.

To sum it all up, if you can, go for it

Laila · 10-09-2009, 12:37 AM

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?

SalinaA · 10-09-2009, 01:20 AM

Hi Laila,

I work and study alongside it and am actually finding it quite rewarding! I like learning and this is really openeing up my ioptions for me!

Age is but a number - definately just go for it

Laila · 10-10-2009, 02:34 AM

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

SalinaA · 10-12-2009, 01:43 AM

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!

Chris2289 · 10-12-2009, 09:08 AM

Hi Laila, If your after a high paying job in the corporate world have you considered what type of accountancy you would like to get into? It might not be a quick buck but definitely has prospects as you can see from the wealth of information on this forum!

Laila · 10-15-2009, 10:21 PM

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?

tory.c · 12-04-2009, 12:27 AM

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?

Chris2289 · 12-14-2009, 02:59 AM

Hi Laila,

I think Accountancy will still be a good way to earn money for years to come especially for SME's where it doesn't make as much sense to outsource it to the far east etc

From the link to accountancy jobs you can see there is a variety of roles with plenty of room for progression, and its down to you to decide which you think your skills would be suited to.

Thanks

10-07-2009, 10:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
Laila Status: n00b Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 24 Rep Power: 10	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

10-08-2009, 09:11 AM	#2 (permalink)
ZahiD Status: Administrator Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 572 Blog Entries: 7 Rep Power: 10	Well I have someone in my cost accounting class who has a PhD in Bio-engineering but has now decided to change careers. He is in his 60s... In the U.S each one of us will have up to 3 or more different careers by the time we retire... times have changed. To sum it all up, if you can, go for it __________________ Zahid H. Lilani Tax Accountant, eZeeTAX, Inc. http://ezeetax.com AccountingBLOCK is on Facebook and Twitter

10-09-2009, 01:20 AM	#4 (permalink)
SalinaA Status: Getting feet wet Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: London Posts: 26 Rep Power: 25	Hi Laila, I work and study alongside it and am actually finding it quite rewarding! I like learning and this is really openeing up my ioptions for me! Age is but a number - definately just go for it __________________ "Do the hard jobs in accountancy first, and the accountancy jobs will take care of themselves." - Careers Jobs

10-12-2009, 09:08 AM	#7 (permalink)
Chris2289 Status: Getting feet wet Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 31 Rep Power: 16	Hi Laila, If your after a high paying job in the corporate world have you considered what type of accountancy you would like to get into? It might not be a quick buck but definitely has prospects as you can see from the wealth of information on this forum! __________________ Access Dimensions

12-14-2009, 02:59 AM	#10 (permalink)
Chris2289 Status: Getting feet wet Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 31 Rep Power: 16	Hi Laila, I think Accountancy will still be a good way to earn money for years to come especially for SME's where it doesn't make as much sense to outsource it to the far east etc From the link to accountancy jobs you can see there is a variety of roles with plenty of room for progression, and its down to you to decide which you think your skills would be suited to. Thanks __________________ Access Dimensions

10-09-2009, 12:37 AM	#3 (permalink)
Laila Status: n00b Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 24 Rep Power: 10	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?

10-10-2009, 02:34 AM	#5 (permalink)
Laila Status: n00b Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 24 Rep Power: 10	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

10-12-2009, 01:43 AM	#6 (permalink)
SalinaA Status: Getting feet wet Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: London Posts: 26 Rep Power: 25	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!

10-15-2009, 10:21 PM	#8 (permalink)
Laila Status: n00b Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 24 Rep Power: 10	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?

12-04-2009, 12:27 AM	#9 (permalink)
tory.c Status: n00b Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 1 Rep Power: 0	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?

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