MyCIMA

Career advice for non business/accounting/finance

Posted: Tuesday 18 August 2009 by ndaintree
Replies : 1
Keywords: advice, career, non business/accounting/finance

Hello,

 I am currently in the RAF as an aircraft technician with just over 2 years left to serve. I have enjoyed my time serving in the forces but feel that I need to move on from the RAF to something that engages me more and presents the opportunity to progress based on merit. I am currently half way through a part time Foundation degree in Business management which has whetted my appetite to the world of business, particularly finance. Upon finishing the foundation degree I will decide whether to continue for a further 2 years for a full hons degree or maybe CIMA. Unfortunately I feel I may struggle to find a good position when leaving the RAF due to my lack of business experience, especially finance. But you have to start somewhere! Any advice would be greatly appreciated, particularly if anybody has come from a similar situation i.e. non business. Is a CIMA qualification more likely to be beneficial than completing the full honours degree? What is the best way to go about getting experience when it comes to leaving the RAF? Again any advice advice would be welcome,

 Many Thanks

 Neil

leaving the RAF

Posted by Allan Squire on Wednesday 19 August 2009 16:03
Hi Neil After serving 12 years as a supplier I moved into finance. During my last few years in the service I did a HNC in Business Finance and then almost completed the AAT qualification. My first role when I left was as a purchase ledger clerk, simple role but it opened a few doors. Within 2 months of taking that role I was offered the role of trainee accountant in another company. I joined them and straight away completed the AAT and started on CIMA and didn't look back. I didn't find it hard to get the first role as I had shown that I had studied hard and my forces back ground was well received and gave me something none of the other applicants had to offer. During my time in the RAF I took on any role that had a bit of finance in it, from doing simple accounts for the t-bar (we did have a very busy one though) to station level clubs. I would suggest you try and get any role that involves cash handling and produce the best you can from it. I created stock control sheets, trading accounts and cash reports so I could use them for my AAT projects. All of this really helped. My first pay was a step backwards but I used the money I got when I left to bolster my pay until I got the second role and then I was earning slightly more than my RAF pay. I now earn £10k more than one of my friends who I used to work with. I really enjoyed serving but I am now reaping the financial rewards from leaving. Good luck. Allan