Hi Rikki - just a personal observation, but I'd caution against spending that kind of money on any training-course unless you can see a direct and immediate benefit. At this stage of your learning, you may well get nearly as much general Sage knowledge at a fraction of the cost by buying one of the many books available - Sage themselves have a workbook for £49.99 - although of course you wouldn't then have a certificate.  Maybe do a course when you're in a role and can better see what you need to know about Sage - system admin, GL, whatever.

Regarding work, unfortunately it's a case of just persevere, and bear in mind where you start will greatly influence where you end up, so if you want to be in a particular industry or qualified-role then consider that when you choose what roles to apply for. (Don't be tempted to scatter-gun everything that looks vaguely appropriate at the moment - you'll just dilute your energies and the probability of success can actually be incrementally lower.)

Hello

I am in my thirties and have decided to retrain into accountancy from teaching. I am currently completing my fifth exam at Certificate level.

What I have realised (with all the studying) is that working and gaining practical  experience within an accounting/finance environment  would definitely help.  I have sent loads of CVs but the majority of companies require experience .

My question is:

i) Is it the climate or is it this tough to get an entry level post?

ii) I am willing to work in the voluntary sector but I am not sure where/how to apply

Cheers

Selena

I can sympathise with your dilemma. I did my A’ Levels when I was in my twenties, and then started CIMA Certificate. The work I was doing was totally non related and getting a foot on the ladder in finance was difficult, took well over a year of sending out application forms. Eventually with the help of Hays I got a position in an Accounts Payable Dept (with a large pay cut). When in I applied for every internal post for Assistant Management Accountant without success until finally after 1 year, an Assistant Financial Accountant post came up, and given that the wage was the same as my awful A/P wage, no one but me went for it! From there it was a matter of stay a year, get the experience then move then 2 1/2years as a properly paid F/A in another company. Now I've just completed my second year as a Management Accountant with a pretty decent wage. So far I have done F1, P1, P2, E1, E2 (pending results on the last two).

If you're not working at all at the moment, why not offer yourself for free for a few months, on the promise that they will actually teach you something for your efforts (not just make you photo copy stuff). It might sound like an awful plan but if it gets you on the ladder then it'll be worth it in the long run. When i worked in A/P we had on average 5 or 6 finance graduates all competing for the same jobs, it's tough but possible, look at me, 1 1/2 A' Levels no degree.

Good Luck