[emb45]

Hi,

I'm new to the forum and am looking for some help with my thought of a career change. I graduated in 2006 with 2:1 Economics from a top ten uni and AAAB in my four A Levels. I joined the Police in 2007 and am now a Detective investigating serious crime. However, the terms and conditions in the Police are being gradually reduced and it looks like conditions will only get worse. Hence, I am considering leaving.

I did apply for graduate schemes back in 06/07 and indeed got job offers to study CIMA / ACA at some big employers (never did apply for Big 4 though) but wanted to give Policing a go. I think I'd have always thought "what if" if I hadn't tried life in the Police, but I'm ready to move on now.

My questions are;
1. How important is living and working in London? I'm in a stable relationship and live in the East Midlands where I'm a home owner. I don't feel the flexibility to move around the country that I did at 21. I know that a lot of the top 25 employers have offices in the Midlands and that is where I would apply. Are you often expected to move around offices?

How much study do you realistically have to put in to study for both the ACA / CIMA? I'm not scared of hard work but I'm at that age (almost 27) where I might want children in the next few years. Is being a new parent and studying an unrealistic aim?

Finally, do older people get on okay on graduate schemes with people a few years younger? I know I'm not ancient, but there will still be a gap!

Any thoughts are most welcome.

[livefires]

Hi,

I can't answer all of your questions as I haven't started my training contract yet so obviously I have no idea as to how much study will be required for either the ACA or CIMA.

I think that living and working in London is more important if you want to move into banking following qualification but if you think you'll be happy continuing with the role that you qualify in or even moving into industry around the East Midlands then you'll be fine. I'm going to be working in Hull and actually prefer the idea of a regional office than in one of the larger London offices.

As for the age gap, I wouldn't worry about it. I'm 25 and the director at my final interview told me that yes, a lot of the graduate positions are filled by new graduates but that 25 is closer to the average age than 21. I'd say that if you manage to get on with the younger officers in the police that you'll be fine on the graduate scheme. It's also worth remembering that you'll be working with older people as well, in the qualified accountants at the firm and it would only be at college that you'll be 'limited' to the company of those on the graduate scheme with you.

Good luck with your decision and applications!

[Procerus]

for the entry level of cima about 4 weeks study+1week revision per exam for the professional level you can only take them 2 times a year and recommended to only take 2 so you will have a few months to study.

[threeportdrift]

(Original post by emb45)
.......

A career change is perfectly realistic, the question is, why are you looking at graduate schemes rather than experienced hire entry, ie coming in at the level you currently work at?

I am trying to work a senior career change at the moment and I have to say, if I did it again, I might consider doing something associated with my first career to start with, ie to leverage my current professional skills out in the commercial world first, before going to further qualifications. I went for qualifications first, and whilst I have a strong CV, the marketplace is very difficult.

The problem is that whilst there is hiring going on at all levels, employers are highly risk averse. So recruiting a 27 year old detective into a 5-8 year seniority position is simply not as safe as recruiting someone whose been doing the job for those 5-8 years. I'd advise looking at 'civilian' jobs that are related to police work first, before trying to move into pure finance/HR or whatever.

Living and working in London isn't relevant at all.

[emb45]

Many thanks for the replies guys.

The reason that I am looking at graduate schemes and not experienced hire is that I do not really see where there are roles that relate to police work. I might be being overly negative on what my time in the Police has given me in terms of experience, but I was under the impression that I really would struggle without technical financial qualifications. A graduate scheme would mean a pay cut but given the worsening of Police pay this would only be temporary.

[victoryshinesonus]

(Original post by emb45)
Many thanks for the replies guys.

The reason that I am looking at graduate schemes and not experienced hire is that I do not really see where there are roles that relate to police work. I might be being overly negative on what my time in the Police has given me in terms of experience, but I was under the impression that I really would struggle without technical financial qualifications. A graduate scheme would mean a pay cut but given the worsening of Police pay this would only be temporary.

If you've got the motivation for it, with ACA you will be qualified in 3 years, so 30? I'm not sure I'd want to be studying at the age of 27. I'm looking at degree to grad schemes (business something haha) or degree to professional exams (law, insurance, accountancy), but not post grad as it's not really worth it. Possibly Journalism conversion but doubt it. If you got the will power, you will be a chartered accountant in 3 years, just be wary that you'll have to put in MONTHS of work.

[Jack McGill]

(Original post by emb45)
Many thanks for the replies guys.

The reason that I am looking at graduate schemes and not experienced hire is that I do not really see where there are roles that relate to police work. I might be being overly negative on what my time in the Police has given me in terms of experience, but I was under the impression that I really would struggle without technical financial qualifications. A graduate scheme would mean a pay cut but given the worsening of Police pay this would only be temporary.

I would suggest posting this type of query in another thread. It would be far easier to switch into a role which you have experience for.

[Samtheman1]

(Original post by threeportdrift)
A career change is perfectly realistic, the question is, why are you looking at graduate schemes rather than experienced hire entry, ie coming in at the level you currently work at?
I am trying to work a senior career change at the moment and I have to say, if I did it again, I might consider doing something associated with my first career to start with, ie to leverage my current professional skills out in the commercial world first, before going to further qualifications. I went for qualifications first, and whilst I have a strong CV, the marketplace is very difficult.

The problem is that whilst there is hiring going on at all levels, employers are highly risk averse. So recruiting a 27 year old detective into a 5-8 year seniority position is simply not as safe as recruiting someone whose been doing the job for those 5-8 years. I'd advise looking at 'civilian' jobs that are related to police work first, before trying to move into pure finance/HR or whatever.

Living and working in London isn't relevant at all.

Because there is not that much serious crime detective work required in accountancy....

To OP, having children and doing an ACA is definately do-able

[threeportdrift]

(Original post by Samtheman1)
Because there is not that much serious crime detective work required in accountancy....

There's a hell of a lot of crime that relies on accountancy. I am suggesting that you look to see if there is a role for someone with crime detecting skills to work in a team with accountants, as a senior adviser with specific skills/experience. Then from that point, spending a couple of years gaining an accounting qualification, while still having a professional role, might make less dent on the family income and leave you in a more senior position throughout and more certainly in 5 years time.

[Mirey]

just email people from their respective HR departments, they're all nice and helpful people

big 4, GT, BDO.

I doubt it'll be a problem.

[Regent]

(Original post by Samtheman1)
Because there is not that much serious crime detective work required in accountancy....

Forensic accounting?

[Big_Dave]

(Original post by threeportdrift)
There's a hell of a lot of crime that relies on accountancy. I am suggesting that you look to see if there is a role for someone with crime detecting skills to work in a team with accountants, as a senior adviser with specific skills/experience. Then from that point, spending a couple of years gaining an accounting qualification, while still having a professional role, might make less dent on the family income and leave you in a more senior position throughout and more certainly in 5 years time.

unless the OP worked in financial crime, then I do not see any transfer between investigating a murder/serious assault to double entry and t-accounts.

I think there will a lot of transferable soft skills, such as logical problem solving, being organised, professional scepticism, but if your going some sort of senior expierienced role, undoubtedly they would want someone who was qualified.

[Samtheman1]

(Original post by threeportdrift)
There's a hell of a lot of crime that relies on accountancy. I am suggesting that you look to see if there is a role for someone with crime detecting skills to work in a team with accountants, as a senior adviser with specific skills/experience. Then from that point, spending a couple of years gaining an accounting qualification, while still having a professional role, might make less dent on the family income and leave you in a more senior position throughout and more certainly in 5 years time.

I was more referring to your 'experienced hire' suggestion. He has no experience in accountancy and therefore would not fall into this category. It is akin to me applying for a role as a doctor citing my experience as an accountant. The OP should apply for graduate roles.

[Samtheman1]

(Original post by Regent)
Forensic accounting?

Forensic accounting is just a more detailed form of auditing. The OP's experience of crime will have no additional benefit for this role despite it's name being similar to police work.