23, dropped out of uni, looking for career in accounting

Is there a possibility of going freelance? If you get some practice with people you know and then once you are confident you could offer your services to a small business? That's what I'd do anyway.

I haven't really tested my abilities but I'd probably say not for the time being. I've looked on reed/indeed searching for Trainee Accounting jobs but as they are looking for either school leavers or graduates and I am neither, I'm not sure if they are going to auto-reject me.

I haven't really tested my abilities but I'd probably say not for the time being. I've looked on reed/indeed searching for Trainee Accounting jobs but as they are looking for either school leavers or graduates and I am neither, I'm not sure if they are going to auto-reject me.

Hi everyone, it's been a long time since I posted. I'll start off by trying to list all the relevant details and hopefully someone has some good advice and the answers I'm looking for!

- 23 years old
- 2011 Finished A-levels, grades ABB (320 UCAS points) Maths, History, Physics
- 2011–2013 Attended uni studying mechanical engineering. Struggled in my second year, eventually dropped out as I had to take care of my mum who was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis around the same time.
- 2013–now Living at home, worked as a kitchen assistant full time while taking care of my mother (siblings off at uni, dad working 60 hours a week).

Recently things have been better with my dad working less hours and my mum being able to cope better than before despite her condition not significantly improving.

I've been able to do some research and I think accounting would be the way to go for me, possibly through a trainee contract.I have some basic knowledge of accounting from self studying Sage, Xero and a 10 credit financial accounting course during my time at uni. I've improved my skills in excel and can make pivot tables etc.

Getting potential employers to notice me is difficult though. As a 23 y/o drop out with 0 experience and only A-levels my CV is not exactly sparkling. What sort of job should I be looking for and how would I be able to join an accountancy firm for a trainee contract with sponsored AAT and eventual ACA/ACCA training?

Edit: I don't want to go back to uni. I didn't get my HND as I failed my second year.

Hi implicity,

Firstly, I'm glad to hear your home situation is improving!

You could apply for the school leavers schemes with most of the large accountancy firms. They tend to look at each case individually. Perhaps try the ones in the top 20 first (BDO, Grant Thornton, Mazaars, etc) and see how that goes. I'm not 100% sure if it is based on your age or if it is based on your level of education.
Some of the firms recruit through their own website and others recruit through our jobs board site - www.icaewtrainingvacancies.co.uk

Good luck!

Helen

Have you considered an AAT apprenticeship?

https://www.aat.org.uk/accounting-apprenticeships/find-an-apprenticeship

As a qualified AAT with experience you would be in a good position to move onto ACCA

Best of luck

I wouldn't rule out big 4 either. What's to lose from applying? If you get something to start next September, you can spend the next x months working in Pizza hut or whatever knowing you have something to move on to.

I would definitely make a big 4 application sooner rather than later. While you might be within some deadline, it's all first come first served.

Thanks Helen, I've applied to about 10-15 smaller firms offering Trainee contracts + paid study at the moment but haven't been contacted yet, Do you know how the selection process works for these smaller firms and how long I should wait for a reply before following up (if necessary?)

The only problem with firms in the top 20 or even top 50 is that these school leavers schemes are for August-September 2016 intake, and I am looking to start immediately or possible January, I'll keep looking on icaew's website for now though.

@Alibee, Thanks for the reply, yes I'm aware I only have school leavers qualifications, I was wondering if having either a big gap in or having a unfinished degree on my CV would reflect badly upon me - At the very least it'd raise questions.

I think if I don't hear from any of the firms I'm currently applying to I'll start to apply to the bigger firms for their school leaver intake as their deadlines aren't until Dec-March.

I haven't really tested my abilities but I'd probably say not for the time being. I've looked on reed/indeed searching for Trainee Accounting jobs but as they are looking for either school leavers or graduates and I am neither, I'm not sure if they are going to auto-reject me.

Hi everyone, it's been a long time since I posted. I'll start off by trying to list all the relevant details and hopefully someone has some good advice and the answers I'm looking for!

- 23 years old
- 2011 Finished A-levels, grades BBB (300 UCAS points) Maths, History, Physics
- 2011–2013 Attended uni studying mechanical engineering. Struggled in my second year, eventually dropped out as I had to take care of my mum who was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis around the same time.
- 2013–now Living at home, worked as a kitchen assistant full time while taking care of my mother (siblings off at uni, dad working 60 hours a week).

Recently things have been better with my dad working less hours and my mum being able to cope better than before despite her condition not significantly improving.

I've been able to do some research and I think accounting would be the way to go for me, possibly through a trainee contract.I have some basic knowledge of accounting from self studying Sage, Xero and a 10 credit financial accounting course during my time at uni. I've improved my skills in excel and can make pivot tables etc.

Getting potential employers to notice me is difficult though. As a 23 y/o drop out with 0 experience and only A-levels my CV is not exactly sparkling. What sort of job should I be looking for and how would I be able to join an accountancy firm for a trainee contract with sponsored AAT and eventual ACA/ACCA training?

Edit: I don't want to go back to uni. I didn't get my HND as I failed my second year.