Opening your mind to explore new job prospects can be time-consuming
and fraught with bad information...
No matter what background you're from - if you're seeking to find an exciting new career path then it can be pretty hard. Have a wander round this site and you'll see some great starting reference material.
Read more by clicking the career option buttons...
Changing careers can lead to a much more positive life. Instead of wasting our lives in an un-fulfilling job that doesn't inspire or motivate us, we can take control and spend our time working on projects that captivate our interest and stimulate our minds.
Selecting the right career to move into can be a bit daunting. It's important to analyse all the factors that you're looking for in your new career, to make sure you find a good match. Something to consider - you could build a very substantial career if you train and qualify in book-keeping, finance or accountancy. People in this sector are often held in high esteem as they are deemed to be responsible and dependable.
Obviously training programmes cover a diverse range of subjects; so you'll have to work out the job or career you'd ultimately like to be working in, and then do the appropriate studying to get you there.
There are jobs for Cashiers, Book-Keepers and Accounts Clerks at entry level. Then as you become more experienced and qualified that could lead on to becoming a Sales or Purchase Ledger Manager or Finance Manager. If you bookmark this page you can use it as an easy reference for the many training companies who have links to their websites.
Assess the good points and bad points of each one you look at. Consider things like course content, support, material and training methods, duration and of course cost. Check that any training you short-list will prepare you for well-acknowledged exams. You must be able to provide future employers with established certifications.
To be competent and prepared for your first position in accounts or finance, you should get taught a number of 'hands on' basic accounting skills. We're talking about both manual and computerised accounts systems, an introduction to business accounting, payroll procedures, input and output VAT etc. When you're ready to enhance your skills further, there are more complex procedures to tackle. At this stage you can go into things like final accounts, accounting packages, calculating and interpreting accounting ratios partnerships and regulatory standards.
Anyone with credible qualifications in accounts/book-keeping can offer themselves to all sorts of commercial and public sector organisations. As every single business in the country has to keep financial records by law, you have a wide choice! You may prefer to be a member of a large team, or take responsibility for the entire finances of a small operation. Many company directors once had jobs in accountancy or finance, and progressed to the top through diligence and hard work. Yet again some people branch out on their own, and handle the tax and accounting work for a bunch of other businesses.
Well clearly you must have the capacity to do figure work. Plus you'll need to enjoy working through sometimes long and complex tasks with patience and tolerance - and stick with them until they're concluded. People who like systems and order make good book-keepers and accounting staff.
And finally you have to be principled and trustworthy, as much of what you're dealing with should not be discussed outside your office.
"Winners take time to relish their work, knowing that scaling the mountain is what makes the view from the top so exhilarating." - Denis Waitley.
Investigate Your OptionsThere really are a great number of options available with regard to training and certification. You must take time to do your research to find the one that's best for you.
As we previously alluded to, you won't know enough if you only find one - when you've been through several you'll have a much better idea of what's important to you, and what you can actually expect.
Some courses follow a strict timetable, where all students work through the programme together. Others leave you to work alone at home.
Which will suit you best depends on what else is going on in your life at the same time - if you're studying alongside a full-time job, regular college attendance will prove difficult.
Finally, shortlist two or three and see if you can get hold of a taster of the coursework. Then you can see the standard of each. But ultimately the thing to do is to get on with it. You've nothing to lose from doing your best, but you do have everything to gain. Happy Hunting!