I am a ACA from India and currently preparing for Advanced Stage papers of ICAEW.
I was trying to get a job in UK from over an year now, but everybody ask me about a
UK work experience. Now how come is it possible for somebody who is new in a country to have a Uk work
experience and where nobody is ready to give atleast a one chance.

Don’t know whether I will get any job some day or not.

Trying since last four years to get an accounting role or anything like that. Everybody want UK experience although I worked 5 years for an international charity as financial coordinator but no credit go to that experience. Employers need 6 months UK experience and that’s what I do not have. I am doing ACCA professional stage papers at the moment apart from a master degree in commerce.

BUT I will stick to it until all my desire to be an Accountant go away…. Hopes are still alive

Seems to be a trend unfortunately, the two smartest accountants I have worked with have been from outside the UK, high flyers in their respective countries but their qualifications have not been recognised in the UK and therefore had to work their way up from the bottom basically. Both told me they had an awful time trying to find work when moving here but are now BIG earners.

ranje - August 08 2009 06:12 AM

Seems to be a trend unfortunately, the two smartest accountants I have worked with have been from outside the UK, high flyers in their respective countries but their qualifications have not been recognised in the UK and therefore had to work their way up from the bottom basically. Both told me they had an awful time trying to find work when moving here but are now BIG earners.

I became CA in 2004, have about 3 years work experience in India, but its such a waste as
it didn’t helped me in getting a job here. May be things gonna change after ICAEW exams. Its my last hope.

Just to add, I read this a few days ago.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8187689.stm

Basically talks about recruiters that are usually more interested in whether the person will fit into their current setup rather than who is more qualified.

Archie - August 07 2009 12:20 PM

I am a ACA from India and currently preparing for Advanced Stage papers of ICAEW.
I was trying to get a job in UK from over an year now, but everybody ask me about a
UK work experience. Now how come is it possible for somebody who is new in a country to have a Uk work
experience and where nobody is ready to give atleast a one chance.

Don’t know whether I will get any job some day or not.

This is one thing I don’t seem to understand. A young graduate just left school, applied for several jobs and everyone of them are asking for “Work Exp.”. Where will the experience come when no one is giving him a chance. I guess some/all employers just dumb!

even i am still struggling to get into pure accountancy roles I did CA -Inter from India and then started pursuing ACCA. Currenlty i am at professional stage but i landed up with the job business analyst(in IT). still looking for break in Accounting related roles. I also want to do ACA from ICAEW after i will finish ACCA. I heard that it’s mandatory to get signed training contract by a CA practising firm before you can apply for exams at final stage of ACA from ICAEW. Is it true?

Danol - August 12 2009 12:09 AM

Archie - August 07 2009 12:20 PM

I am a ACA from India and currently preparing for Advanced Stage papers of ICAEW.
I was trying to get a job in UK from over an year now, but everybody ask me about a
UK work experience. Now how come is it possible for somebody who is new in a country to have a Uk work
experience and where nobody is ready to give atleast a one chance.

Don’t know whether I will get any job some day or not.

This is one thing I don’t seem to understand. A young graduate just left school, applied for several jobs and everyone of them are asking for “Work Exp.”. Where will the experience come when no one is giving him a chance. I guess some/all employers just dumb!

Normally graduates obtain some “work exp” in their pneultimate year of University.