The most recent Discussion Forum Topics from AccountancyStudents

CV writing

2009-01-08T23:07:38+00:00

Hey all,

If this is the wrong place for this post then apologies.

I have been with my current employer for four years now and have loads of fantastic experience to put down on my C.V and I am wanting to look for something new as there is no scope to move upwards although great experience would likely continue and they also dont pay the best wages.

I know experience counts for a lot but with a young family and a recession I need to know I am earning as much as I can.

Bearing this in mind I need to write a new C.V and want to ensure its the best it can be. Does anybody know if there are any c.v templates or examples or tools that can be used online anywhere?

Obviously they need to be specific to an ACCA/ accountancy worker.

Thanks for reading

MS EXCEL

2009-01-08T17:16:10+00:00

Is there any formula in MS Excel to trace same figures on a sheet i.e assuming you have 1000 in Row A5 and 1000 in Row D500. Is it possible?

Recruitment and the dreaded Credit Crunch

2009-01-07T20:06:13+00:00

Hi all

I was wonderingw if anyone out there has input into how the credit crunch is affecting accountancy recruitment.

I note from one of the accountancy student magazines that I get that the bigger firms are letting go of a number of employees. Has this been borne out by the users of this forum?

ALso anyone out there currently lookinmg to move jobs - how have you found it industry/practice large/small employers etc?

I know from personal experience that there does not appear to be any sign of movement in the market in Dublin - obviously Christmas causes a go slow anyway but I think it has been slow here since October/November. Anyone got any feelings on the current market?

Is there any opportunity out there at the moment or is it just a time to hunker down and secure whatever we have got?

Starting out in accounting after years of teaching

2008-12-27T12:33:02+00:00

Hi everyone,
I find this site very useful. I noticed there are many students as well as already experienced professionals here. I would appreciate if you could give me some advice on starting a Management Accounting career after years of teaching. I have been an English as a Foreign Language teacher for years and I also worked in social care and so far I have found that despite my Masters Degree in English I cannot get even a trainee accountant position. Now I am studying for C01 and C02. My aim/hope is that this way I can show potential employers that I am SERIOUS about it. I always wanted to be a Management Accountant but family problems prevented me to study the right subject at uni.

My questions is: Do you think my previous career so far (and maybe “wrong” choice of degree) is hindering me or has it something to do with my Hungarian passport (although speak English to real native level, have lived in the UK and worked with/understand UK law) or is it to do with my age (32)? Or could it be something else? And what would you say I should/must do to get into accounting? (I have A-levels in Maths, I loved it!)

I know I have written a long story with many questions, but Management Accounting is really what I love most. I would be most grateful for any advice or comment!
Andrea

Offshoring of accountancy jobs

2009-01-03T19:49:46+00:00

The tendency of moving white collar job opportunities generally, and accountancy jobs specifically, from richer countries like US or UK (and EU as a whole), to poorer countries like India, has been discussed in the media for some time yet. What is your take on the issue? Is something like that already ongoing to larger extent? Or is it likely to occur to larger extent, say, in the next couple of decades? And if it is really ongoing or imminent, what segments of accountancy market are likely to be affected the most? Will it be rather small, medium, or large businesses, who will get their supplies of accountancy (and/or bookkeeping) services offshored? Thank you in advance for any opinion.

Application form help

2008-12-22T00:03:17+00:00

I am currently completing an application form for a new trainee role and would just like a little advice on how to structure my answer to the following statement:
“In your own words, expalain your technical, practical and prof qualities. Also, your level of expertise in those areas”

I am considering the following approach:
- Brief summary of the more technical aspects of my current role - bank recs, control accounts, schedule prep, putting an accounts file together, tax comps etc.
- Professional qualities - honesty, integrity, analytical approach, problem solving etc.

How would you describe practical skills? Any input would be appreciated.

Degree or Cima qualification?

2008-12-29T12:17:38+00:00

I’m 27 years old and have recently completed my Certificate in Accounting! I’m so pleased, although now I am facing a dilemma - I left uni so didn’t graduate and as such don’t have a degree. At this moment in life I’d like to find a good role based in accounts for myself and would like to take the CIMA route. However I’m wondering - would it be more beneficial for me to complete my degree (of which a year is left) or get my CIMA managerial level qualifications (which I guess would take a year too)…
I know the degree would give access to more diverse jobs but the CIMA qualification is what I’m ultimately aiming for in the longer term.

Any advice?

BENELUX NEEDS CIMA, (A)CA AND ACCA STUDENTS

2008-12-11T23:02:27+00:00

See my previous topic about the subject.

If you are a E.U citizen, graduate, an ACCA students and you don’t find a job in England or Ireland or you are underpaid, please you must seriously consider moving to Belgium, the Netherlands or Luxembourg. These 3 countries are called the BENELUX. Big 4s are recruiting a lot of ACCA students. When I sat my exam this week in Amsterdam, I noticed that out of 100 students I was the only or almost the only not working for a Big 4. I am very happy were I work. I work for an Import & Export Company as a General Ledger Tax Accountant with so many responsibilities, I’ll become a senior accountant in January and all these after being told 6 months ago by Roberthalf London and Hays London that I only could have a junior position paid 17K. Now I make over 30K +bonus, I will make a bit more from January.

I am a Home (distant) student, this is the only hard part for me as I love being in a Class, but I am still managing to pass my exams.

N.B:

For Belgium, it’s very important to know that you need to speak French or Dutch on top of English, but you can still manage to get a work with these Languages.

For Luxembourg and The Netherlands, English is enough but it’s advisable to learn French or German for Luxembourg and Dutch for The Netherlands, it’s only advisable as there’s no legal requirement and Employers don’t really care. As long as you are willing to learn and study for the ACCA

Challenge questions!

2008-12-21T20:40:53+00:00

Its that time of the year again to fill in my annual ACCA return , I’m going to claim almost all the PER essentials , and a couple more of the optional ones, (so the guy who is my erm mentor? can sign them off before I get the big push)…

My question is this do you know of any decent resources in which to answer the challenge questions....

Thanks

Graduate recruitment register

2008-12-21T01:14:48+00:00

Hi,

Does anyone know how effective the graduate recruitment register is on the ICAEW website? If you’ve put your name up there, employers will be able to see that you are searching for a training contract. But has anyone gained a training contract via this method or know of someone who has?

How effective is the register?