Trained for a decade... now what?
Hi everyone,
From the age of 14, my education choices have been based towards finance. I did Business Studies at GCSE, Business/Law/French at A-level, BA Accountancy and MSc Accounting & Financial Management. I only know how to do one thing, and that's accounting.
The only problem is, I can't seem to pass my professional qualifications (I've taken one exam three times!). I've been fired from two accounting jobs (one which I hated; the only reason I hadn't walked out was because a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush) and although I excel at purchase ledger, I can't do that for the next forty years.
I always knew the world 'outside' academia would be different, but I thought I'd at least do OK in it. I don't know how to do anything except accounting, but it looks like I can't do that either.
I know you guys can't help me, but I just need to talk. I'm surrounded by academically smart people, people who don't get fired! They don't understand my situation (I'm not sure I do...). My dad is the only person in my family who has ever been fired from anything, and we're not talking at the moment (my sister got married, his behaviour at the wedding started a massive argument).
I don't know how to do anything else
IQx
From the age of 14, my education choices have been based towards finance. I did Business Studies at GCSE, Business/Law/French at A-level, BA Accountancy and MSc Accounting & Financial Management. I only know how to do one thing, and that's accounting.
The only problem is, I can't seem to pass my professional qualifications (I've taken one exam three times!). I've been fired from two accounting jobs (one which I hated; the only reason I hadn't walked out was because a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush) and although I excel at purchase ledger, I can't do that for the next forty years.
I always knew the world 'outside' academia would be different, but I thought I'd at least do OK in it. I don't know how to do anything except accounting, but it looks like I can't do that either.
I know you guys can't help me, but I just need to talk. I'm surrounded by academically smart people, people who don't get fired! They don't understand my situation (I'm not sure I do...). My dad is the only person in my family who has ever been fired from anything, and we're not talking at the moment (my sister got married, his behaviour at the wedding started a massive argument).
I don't know how to do anything else
IQx
Original post by Ice_Queen
Hi everyone,
From the age of 14, my education choices have been based towards finance. I did Business Studies at GCSE, Business/Law/French at A-level, BA Accountancy and MSc Accounting & Financial Management. I only know how to do one thing, and that's accounting.
The only problem is, I can't seem to pass my professional qualifications (I've taken one exam three times!). I've been fired from two accounting jobs (one which I hated; the only reason I hadn't walked out was because a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush) and although I excel at purchase ledger, I can't do that for the next forty years.
I always knew the world 'outside' academia would be different, but I thought I'd at least do OK in it. I don't know how to do anything except accounting, but it looks like I can't do that either.
I know you guys can't help me, but I just need to talk. I'm surrounded by academically smart people, people who don't get fired! They don't understand my situation (I'm not sure I do...). My dad is the only person in my family who has ever been fired from anything, and we're not talking at the moment (my sister got married, his behaviour at the wedding started a massive argument).
I don't know how to do anything else
IQx
From the age of 14, my education choices have been based towards finance. I did Business Studies at GCSE, Business/Law/French at A-level, BA Accountancy and MSc Accounting & Financial Management. I only know how to do one thing, and that's accounting.
The only problem is, I can't seem to pass my professional qualifications (I've taken one exam three times!). I've been fired from two accounting jobs (one which I hated; the only reason I hadn't walked out was because a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush) and although I excel at purchase ledger, I can't do that for the next forty years.
I always knew the world 'outside' academia would be different, but I thought I'd at least do OK in it. I don't know how to do anything except accounting, but it looks like I can't do that either.
I know you guys can't help me, but I just need to talk. I'm surrounded by academically smart people, people who don't get fired! They don't understand my situation (I'm not sure I do...). My dad is the only person in my family who has ever been fired from anything, and we're not talking at the moment (my sister got married, his behaviour at the wedding started a massive argument).
I don't know how to do anything else
IQx
Just anecdotal, but:
I come from a long line of accountants. Most of my family are accountants.
My father was apparently a very talented accountant. My aunt was not. He passed his exams easily. She took them over and over and never passed.
Now she's been a book-keeper (never qualified) for 40 years and is a millionaire.
My dad is bankrupt.
Original post by Ice_Queen
Hi everyone,
From the age of 14, my education choices have been based towards finance. I did Business Studies at GCSE, Business/Law/French at A-level, BA Accountancy and MSc Accounting & Financial Management. I only know how to do one thing, and that's accounting.
The only problem is, I can't seem to pass my professional qualifications (I've taken one exam three times!). I've been fired from two accounting jobs (one which I hated; the only reason I hadn't walked out was because a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush) and although I excel at purchase ledger, I can't do that for the next forty years.
I always knew the world 'outside' academia would be different, but I thought I'd at least do OK in it. I don't know how to do anything except accounting, but it looks like I can't do that either.
I know you guys can't help me, but I just need to talk. I'm surrounded by academically smart people, people who don't get fired! They don't understand my situation (I'm not sure I do...). My dad is the only person in my family who has ever been fired from anything, and we're not talking at the moment (my sister got married, his behaviour at the wedding started a massive argument).
I don't know how to do anything else
IQx
From the age of 14, my education choices have been based towards finance. I did Business Studies at GCSE, Business/Law/French at A-level, BA Accountancy and MSc Accounting & Financial Management. I only know how to do one thing, and that's accounting.
The only problem is, I can't seem to pass my professional qualifications (I've taken one exam three times!). I've been fired from two accounting jobs (one which I hated; the only reason I hadn't walked out was because a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush) and although I excel at purchase ledger, I can't do that for the next forty years.
I always knew the world 'outside' academia would be different, but I thought I'd at least do OK in it. I don't know how to do anything except accounting, but it looks like I can't do that either.
I know you guys can't help me, but I just need to talk. I'm surrounded by academically smart people, people who don't get fired! They don't understand my situation (I'm not sure I do...). My dad is the only person in my family who has ever been fired from anything, and we're not talking at the moment (my sister got married, his behaviour at the wedding started a massive argument).
I don't know how to do anything else
IQx
Are you failing that exam because you lack ability, or because you are psychologically worked up about it? If it's the latter, some counselling might help you get through it?
Another anecdotal.
Family friend tried time and again to pass the accountancy exams. In the end he gave up and decided he'd have a go at teaching.
Turns out he'd found his métier, he's now one of Britain's most successful heads running a conglomerate of about 20 schools, been on the New Year's Honours List etc.
Sometimes things just aren't meant to be, it's how you react that matters.
Family friend tried time and again to pass the accountancy exams. In the end he gave up and decided he'd have a go at teaching.
Turns out he'd found his métier, he's now one of Britain's most successful heads running a conglomerate of about 20 schools, been on the New Year's Honours List etc.
Sometimes things just aren't meant to be, it's how you react that matters.
Thank you for your input everyone.
I just never imagined myself doing anything else. I can't see anyone hiring someone who has two degrees in Accountancy but lasted less than a year in two assistant roles. The degrees are both vocational, they have the usual transferable skills (team work and what have you) but they're not general in any sense of the word.
I am currently out of a job. I worked in a position I absolutely loved, but I was told I wasn't coping with the volume of work expected of me and I wasn't very good at prioritising.
The thing is, I never wanted to do it for the money. It's just always what I have wanted to do. I never had the trouble that my friends had picking a degree because they didn't know what they wanted to do or anything like that, it was always a means to the same end. But now that end seems out of reach.
I've never been good at exams, I get really anxious to the point where I am physically sick. I am on some medication now which helped last time I took the exam (four marks off) so I am hoping that this November will be the one I finally pass. My only problem then is, the exams get harder as I go up the ladder, if I have had this much trouble doing F1, how am I going to do F2 and F3?
I don't know how to do anything else. Well apparently I am not very good at this either!
If I gave up, I don't know what I'd even try. I wouldn't know where to even look. I'm an intelligent woman, but it looks like I made some very narrow decisions that didn't leave much in the way of job flexibility.
I just never imagined myself doing anything else. I can't see anyone hiring someone who has two degrees in Accountancy but lasted less than a year in two assistant roles. The degrees are both vocational, they have the usual transferable skills (team work and what have you) but they're not general in any sense of the word.
Original post by moutonfou
Are you in a job and able to continue with the exams or are you out of a job at the moment?
I am currently out of a job. I worked in a position I absolutely loved, but I was told I wasn't coping with the volume of work expected of me and I wasn't very good at prioritising.
Original post by Clip
Just anecdotal, but:
I come from a long line of accountants. Most of my family are accountants.
My father was apparently a very talented accountant. My aunt was not. He passed his exams easily. She took them over and over and never passed.
Now she's been a book-keeper (never qualified) for 40 years and is a millionaire.
My dad is bankrupt.
I come from a long line of accountants. Most of my family are accountants.
My father was apparently a very talented accountant. My aunt was not. He passed his exams easily. She took them over and over and never passed.
Now she's been a book-keeper (never qualified) for 40 years and is a millionaire.
My dad is bankrupt.
The thing is, I never wanted to do it for the money. It's just always what I have wanted to do. I never had the trouble that my friends had picking a degree because they didn't know what they wanted to do or anything like that, it was always a means to the same end. But now that end seems out of reach.
Original post by Hedgeman49
Are you failing that exam because you lack ability, or because you are psychologically worked up about it? If it's the latter, some counselling might help you get through it?
I've never been good at exams, I get really anxious to the point where I am physically sick. I am on some medication now which helped last time I took the exam (four marks off) so I am hoping that this November will be the one I finally pass. My only problem then is, the exams get harder as I go up the ladder, if I have had this much trouble doing F1, how am I going to do F2 and F3?
Original post by M1011
Tis more to life, look at other things you can do. This idea that you've trained for 10 years specifically to be an accountant is nonsense, you can apply those qualifications to many roles.
I don't know how to do anything else. Well apparently I am not very good at this either!
Original post by Le Nombre
Another anecdotal.
Family friend tried time and again to pass the accountancy exams. In the end he gave up and decided he'd have a go at teaching.
Turns out he'd found his métier, he's now one of Britain's most successful heads running a conglomerate of about 20 schools, been on the New Year's Honours List etc.
Sometimes things just aren't meant to be, it's how you react that matters.
Family friend tried time and again to pass the accountancy exams. In the end he gave up and decided he'd have a go at teaching.
Turns out he'd found his métier, he's now one of Britain's most successful heads running a conglomerate of about 20 schools, been on the New Year's Honours List etc.
Sometimes things just aren't meant to be, it's how you react that matters.
If I gave up, I don't know what I'd even try. I wouldn't know where to even look. I'm an intelligent woman, but it looks like I made some very narrow decisions that didn't leave much in the way of job flexibility.
Original post by Ice_Queen
I don't know how to do anything else. Well apparently I am not very good at this either!
I'm sorry but you're what, a year out of university? Nobody knows how to do anything a year out of university - plenty of people are career changing in their 30s/40s, you can't tell me you're too specialised after doing a generally well received degree and a years worth of work! Look at your options, pick something you think you'll be good at and enjoy.
Original post by Ice_Queen
If I gave up, I don't know what I'd even try. I wouldn't know where to even look. I'm an intelligent woman, but it looks like I made some very narrow decisions that didn't leave much in the way of job flexibility.
I really don't understand this comment. How are you options any narrower than the multitude of people that do History, Law, English, Business, Economics etc? You're degree subject doesn't dictate your job!
Original post by M1011
I'm sorry but you're what, a year out of university? Nobody knows how to do anything a year out of university - plenty of people are career changing in their 30s/40s, you can't tell me you're too specialised after doing a generally well received degree and a years worth of work! Look at your options, pick something you think you'll be good at and enjoy.
I really don't understand this comment. How are you options any narrower than the multitude of people that do History, Law, English, Business, Economics etc? You're degree subject doesn't dictate your job!
I really don't understand this comment. How are you options any narrower than the multitude of people that do History, Law, English, Business, Economics etc? You're degree subject doesn't dictate your job!
Thank you for replying.
I'm 24, I graduated my Bachelors in 2010, then went straight on to my Masters. I've had five jobs since, three purchase ledger, one financial accounts assistant and one assistant management accountant (the latter two arose from promotions from PL). I spent sixteen months in my first role, then less than a year in the other two companies.
I do have another slight problem. My BA is a 2:2, not a 2:1 from Coventry University. If I can qualify as an accountant then together with my MSc I would be OK (in accounting you can have as many degrees as you like, but it is the chartered qualification and the experience that counts) but I am a bit stuck.
Maybe my course doesn't, but I've never even considered anything else, I don't know how to do anything else. I don't know where to even start. I don't have a basis for anything other than accounting.
Original post by Ice_Queen
I don't know how to do anything else. I don't know where to even start. I don't have a basis for anything other than accounting.
I don't believe this is true. The real issue is with the narrative you tell yourself imo
I think you should take a step back and seriously analyse the parts of the job that you have enjoyed and also that bits that you dislike and/or are not good at. Note down all the things you have to do in a typical day and rate them, including whether you enjoy communicating with people, or prefer to work on your own. Do you like to be part of a team. Are you good at understanding processes or IT systems. Are you good at explaining things or solving problems.
You look like you have a great background in business and finance so this could be a huge advantage to you. You could have a great and varied career as a Business or Finance Analyst which could lead into Management Consulting
I was recently reading statistics that 1 in 4 graduates have changed career within 18 months of starting a job, so please don't feel bad if you have discovered that you are a square peg in a round hole. There are loads of jobs out there that you will be well qualified for and could enjoy without the pressure of more exams.
You look like you have a great background in business and finance so this could be a huge advantage to you. You could have a great and varied career as a Business or Finance Analyst which could lead into Management Consulting
I was recently reading statistics that 1 in 4 graduates have changed career within 18 months of starting a job, so please don't feel bad if you have discovered that you are a square peg in a round hole. There are loads of jobs out there that you will be well qualified for and could enjoy without the pressure of more exams.
Original post by Ice_Queen
Hi everyone,
From the age of 14, my education choices have been based towards finance. I did Business Studies at GCSE, Business/Law/French at A-level, BA Accountancy and MSc Accounting & Financial Management. I only know how to do one thing, and that's accounting.
The only problem is, I can't seem to pass my professional qualifications (I've taken one exam three times!). I've been fired from two accounting jobs (one which I hated; the only reason I hadn't walked out was because a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush) and although I excel at purchase ledger, I can't do that for the next forty years.
I always knew the world 'outside' academia would be different, but I thought I'd at least do OK in it. I don't know how to do anything except accounting, but it looks like I can't do that either.
I know you guys can't help me, but I just need to talk. I'm surrounded by academically smart people, people who don't get fired! They don't understand my situation (I'm not sure I do...). My dad is the only person in my family who has ever been fired from anything, and we're not talking at the moment (my sister got married, his behaviour at the wedding started a massive argument).
I don't know how to do anything else
IQx
From the age of 14, my education choices have been based towards finance. I did Business Studies at GCSE, Business/Law/French at A-level, BA Accountancy and MSc Accounting & Financial Management. I only know how to do one thing, and that's accounting.
The only problem is, I can't seem to pass my professional qualifications (I've taken one exam three times!). I've been fired from two accounting jobs (one which I hated; the only reason I hadn't walked out was because a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush) and although I excel at purchase ledger, I can't do that for the next forty years.
I always knew the world 'outside' academia would be different, but I thought I'd at least do OK in it. I don't know how to do anything except accounting, but it looks like I can't do that either.
I know you guys can't help me, but I just need to talk. I'm surrounded by academically smart people, people who don't get fired! They don't understand my situation (I'm not sure I do...). My dad is the only person in my family who has ever been fired from anything, and we're not talking at the moment (my sister got married, his behaviour at the wedding started a massive argument).
I don't know how to do anything else
IQx
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