Accountancy - Not Just a Number (Accountancy in general)

Name: TracyCN

Hello doyoo user, You have to be logged in to use these functions... Login or register Close window

Send message to member

Product:	Accountancy in general
Date:	02/08/05 (90 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Job Satisfaction, Salary Expectations

Disadvantages: Study (sometimes hard)

In two weeks I will find out if I have qualified as an Accountant throught the AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians). This will be the cumulation of three years hard study and on the job training.

When I left school I did not want to be an accountant, it probably was the furthest thing from my mind - I was thinking more along the line of Pilot, Journalist or even Teacher (diverse? yes I know!). You will find that a lot of people who work in accounts just 'fell into it' as I did. It doesn't seem to be the job of choice for many people. But, once you're in, you're hooked!

Accountancy is a statisfying career for people who are very logical and methodical, and obviously the ability to work with numbers helps too. Don't worry too much about those pesky numbers though, as you will find most accountants (in my experience anyway) including myself can not add up in their head to save their life - why else would God give us calculators!

Other attributes that often help in the accounts department are:
- A good ability to work under pressure and to deadlines. In accounts you are always working towards some deadline or other, whether it be month end or year end or just a project for the Board.
- Being a neat worker helps, I know, I know, the handwriting of your average Accountant compares well with a Doctor's, but the neater the better, as you never know when you may need to go back over the figures.
- Accuracy is a good one - it is a good idea if your work is accurate, as it saves time and energy in the long run. It also saves the ear bashing you may get from the MD if he presents incorrect figures to the Board!

The study may be offputting to some. There is the initial three years (part time) at AAT level to become an Accounting Technician, then a futher 2 to 3 years (again part time) at either ACCA (Association of Certified Chartered Accountants) or CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants)to become a Chartered Accountant. Parts of the study can be got around (fast tracked) if you have other relevant qualifications, but you could still be facing 4 years of very hard graft. I have so far only completed the AAT study, but so far, to me, it has been worth it. Without the AAT experience and qualifications gained to date I would not have the good job that I have now. In two weeks I will find out how worthwhile it really was. But even then if I have failed my final exams I can always resit them in December. It just means that I will have to delay enrolling on a CIMA course at the local university.

A glutten for punishment? Maybe. I don't think so, I get great job satisfaction from my job, and this can only be enhanced by the next step in my studying and when I can put CIMA after my name it will have all been worthwhile.

Wish me luck!

TracyCN (MAAT - hopefully/CIMA - one day soon)

Summary: A well paid job that feels worthwhile!