[IWillBelieve]

Hello,

I wanted to briefly run my situation past some of you experienced people so that I may gain a bit more understanding of my prospects.

I did my a levels in 2007, and got AABb in maths, chem, physics, and AS bio respectively.

I took a gap year where I held an accounts assistant job for about 6 weeks; paid, and I learnt skills such as sales and purchase ledger, double entry, cash book, bank reconciliations and raising invoices, in multiple currencies. If I was to have to do these right this second, I'd be rusty to poor at it, but I think I'd pick it up quickly, as I'm a fast learner.

Since 2008, I've been doing a BSc in Economics, from Warwick, but due to medical issues I had to take temporary withdrawal for one year. I've since finished, and am likely to get a 2:2. I'm disappointed, but my life has been a rollercoaster these last few years (no understatement, but will leave out the detail).

In the inbetween summers I held jobs in HR, security, and other non accounts jobs (just for cash), and during my final year at uni (due to needing the money and having no other source of finance/borrowing) I've had a part time job over the weekend, in telesales.

I'm now finished and have always been planning to graduate and do a CIMA.

I'm ideally looking for a job where I'm doing management accounts, but also have the CIMA funded.

Is this likely? Is my brief 6 week period relevent any more given that the experience is 4 years old? I'm 24 now, so really need to get on it.

I'm planning on learning Excel minimum in the period I don't have a career going, to an advanced level, and learn how to complete many functions required in a basic accounts assistant/junior job so at least I can do this.

What prospects do I have? I've not gotten involved with uni, or societies, didnt really have time to network or even consider jobs/careers - was literally 'lets just get through this degree and see how we go after'. Am I likely to be able to get onto graduate schemes with any top firms? Should I focus on smaller boutiques and independent small scale accountancy firms to gain experience to make up for my 2:2?

Would appreciate any opinions or advice on my situation. Any pointers on what I should be including CV-wise, specifically for management accountancy jobs would be very welcome indeed.

Appreciate any time that's been taken out to help Apologies for appalling grammar and spelling.

[86501]

There is definitely good news for you. I'm going to assume that a graduate scheme is what you're looking for. There are grad schemes offering CIMA available and while the biggest firms won't be keen on a 2.2 there are plenty that would take it.

Most of these grad schemes won't be looking for you to have relevant experience. It means that anything you've got from your 6 weeks as experience is useful but won't be a make or break. When you're doing things like competency interviews you should focus on the most relevant experience to what they're looking for and not try to focus on your 6 weeks of experience. Things like team working you may have more relevant experience to draw on from security for example.

Definitely keep your hopes up. Think about what skills you should be focussing on developing more than relevant experience per se in my opinion. And have a good think about what you're looking for because graduate schemes start to open soon. Early mover advantage is very important.

[M1011]

My observations from your post;

- Strong A Levels
- Reasonable'ish experience, relevant but old (IDC, it's a word now )
- Strong University and Course
- Weak result (if your prediction proves true)

So on the whole you sound like a decent candidate who perhaps didn't perform to your ability at University. Auto-filters are going to be your biggest nightmare, as most schemes simply state a 2.1 as a requirement (big of a joke, I'd take a 2.2 in Econ from Warwick over a 2.1 in some bs subject from some bs university, but it is what it is). However there are schemes that take 2.2s (someone posted a list once), and smaller local firms are likely to be far more interested in what you have to offer as opposed to your classification.

The one thing I would advise in interviews is not to go overboard with excuses. However true they might be, a 2.2 in econ from warwick is a decent degree. Push forward its merits and what you learnt from it as opposed to justifying your lack of a 2.1, that'll look better IMO. Generally speaking once your through to interview, the degree shouldn't hold you back, it's just getting through on paper that'll be tough with so many grads out there these days.

One more thing, don't worry about your age. You may be older than the majority aiming for these schemes, but there will also be many older than you. I've spoken to people in their 30s joining big 4 graduate schemes this year.