Finance could be your lucky number
SKILLED finance professionals are getting ever more difficult to find.
Finance sector recruiters say 92 per cent of chief financial officers are finding it hard to recruit. So with such a high demand for professionals, it could well be the time to consider a career in accountancy.
in the past you needed a degree to begin accountancy training, but now there are many ways to make a start in the profession.
Flo Barrett, 21, is in her third year of the five-year EY School Leaver programme, training as an accountant.
Flo, from Cambridge, who joined business services firm EY after completing her A- levels, says: ‘ i thought accountancy was boring until i did some work experience with an accountancy firm. if you are interested in the way business works, it’s quite fascinating.’
now working in a team auditing government and public services organisations, Flo says: ‘i’ve been on many training courses and i am now being trained in leadership, so when i qualify in two years’ time i will be able to lead audit teams from the start.
‘ UK accountancy qualifications are recognised worldwide, so i hope to spend some time on placement in Australia, which is possible with EY. There are many different ways into accountancy, and it’s simple to find out about it and get some work experience. You will soon see that it’s not dull.’
Clare Power, head of student recruitment at the institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), says: ‘Chartered accountants are in demand because their skills benefit all kinds of organisations.
‘Accountancy is typically a stable and rewarding career that offers a good salary and prospects.’
Employers look for people with good standards of literacy and numeracy, who are team workers and successful communicators.
Ms Power says: ‘ The ICAEW’s professional qualification, the ACA, requires no pre-requisites in terms of subjects and you can train after school or college, university, or as a career switch.’
other qualifications to research include CIMA, ACCA, CIPFA, CFA, ICAS and AAT. As well as post-A level schemes, you can get in with a degree or an apprenticeship.
once fully qualified, accountants can earn £26,000 to £50,000-plus.