Studying For A Financial Or Bookkeeping Course
Changing careers can lead to a much more positive life. Wouldn't it be good to wake up every morning and look forward to going to work? Instead of feeling frustrated in our job, we could be recognised for making an interesting and valuable contribution.
What Course Should I Choose?
The challenge facing many of us is choosing the right career move. It's one thing to know that we need to change, but quite another to be sure the change we have in mind is the right one.
Training in finance or accounting will equip you with the skills to build a solid and rewarding career or business. You'd certainly be able to achieve recognition for your efforts, and get paid well into the bargain!
As you might imagine, training courses vary in size and complexity - so research the job you want to do first, and then look on training sites to see who can teach you how to do it.
There are jobs for Cashiers, Book-Keepers and Accounts Clerks at entry level. As your knowledge and working experience builds, with application you could become a Finance Team Leader or Manager. If you bookmark this page you can use it as an easy reference for the many training companies who have links to their websites. Assess the good points and bad points of each one you look at. Consider things like course content, support, material and training methods, duration and of course cost. Always check that the courses you're considering are recognised in industry. You don't want to put effort in and find that employers don't value your certificates.
Which Skills Do I Need?
To be deemed ready for employment, there will be a number of essentials you'll need to become familiar with. Such things as computerised and manual systems, VAT, cash books, credit control, trial balance, day books and payroll will be covered. Higher grade subject matter is also available for more senior personnel in the industry. At this stage you can go into things like final accounts, accounting packages, calculating and interpreting accounting ratios partnerships and regulatory standards.
Where Would I Find Work?
Once you've done your training and received your certifications, you can apply to work in any area of industry that appeals to you. You're not restricted to one narrow area as the law requires all commercial organisations to keep records. You might be expected to deal with all financial matters in a small business, or be part of a large team in a major corporation. Some people like to work for local or central government - jobs are generally looked upon as more secure with good benefits and pension schemes. On the other hand, why not consider becoming self-employed (maybe after a year or two in industry) and do the accounts for other self-employed people?
Am I The Right Sort Of Person For This?
You'll plainly have to be good at maths if you want an accounting career. And if you enjoy paying a lot of attention to detail and are able to work in a painstaking and methodical manner then it's likely you're right for the job. Financial work is suited to assiduous and well organised people.
Finally, the work is often of a confidential nature, and so you must be very honest and ethical.
"One that desires to excel should endeavour in those things that are in themselves most excellent." - Epictetus.
Search For Training
A whole range of training courses are available for people looking to get into accounts work. The only way to really find the right one for you is to thoroughly research the market. As we previously alluded to, you won't know enough if you only find one - you need to read through several, look at testimonials and get an understanding of their teaching methods before you can decide.
Some will be entirely college-based, some will be entirely distance learning and others will have a combination of both. It will depend on whether you like the idea of a student community, or might feel self-conscious amongst others - plus your availability for college attendance of course.
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. And then pick your first choice and crack on with it! Once you've made your verdict, you'll be swept along with the momentum of your bright new future career. Here's to your success!
