Jan wrote:
Disguised as "ERP Systems Manager" I successfully performed MI Reporting and Analyst roles at an £200m/yr manufacturing company. I thoroughly enjoyed the tasks at hand, including inventory control, variance calculation and analysis. Whilst I am not a qualified accountant, I do hold other qualifications such as a QS/QA auditing diploma. Colleagues, clients and friends have often praised me for having a unique set of numerical, business and scientific skills, which they say, should be readily transferable to the financial / banking sector, with huge value-adding potential. What is the best approach to get in?
The Divisional Manager of financial services at Marks Sattin wrote:
Jan,
The skills you need to get into financial services are unlikely to be your accounting/numerical skills, but actually your systems skills. The internal complexity of financial services organisations' financial systems is unparalled and, because of strict regulation protecting clients, they have to be squeaky clean and perfectly controlled.
While accounting for income within financial services can be technically challenging and unique, the costs are not. They are pretty predictable and similar to any service organisation. The one thing manufacturing is famous for is strong cost control for production line costing - the activity based costing models that are used are very transferable as the complex process of for example, executing and settling a trade, has a production line feel to it.
I would therefore say that your best bet is to aim for cost focussed systems implementation roles. These will be far more prevalent on a contract basis, but may also be possible as a permanent role.
Best of luck with your search.
About the WH Marks Sattin Job Doctor
WH Marks Sattin is a specialist recruitment agency dealing with accountancy, finance, tax and consultancy professionals. This is our Job Doctor forum/blog.
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Looking for jobs in IT? Why not talk to our sister company Greythorn - specialist IT recruiter.
Looking for a career change? Want some advice on which industries are good to get into at the moment?
Go on, ask our consultants some questions! If you want you can comment on our answers... We hope you find it useful!
1. Click "comments" on any of the previous posts (even if it isn't related to your question
2. Type in your question in the box
3. Select "anonymous" if you don't have your own account
4. Click "Publish your comment"
We will try to answer your question in 3 to 5 days.
http://www.whmarkssattin.com/
Looking for jobs in IT? Why not talk to our sister company Greythorn - specialist IT recruiter.
Thursday, 28 June 2007
Starting out in accounting
Anonymous shouted (please don't write in capital letters!)
I AM POST GRADUATE FROM INDIA IN COMMERCE AND BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION.I CAME TO UK 2 YEARS AGO AND NOW HOLD A PERMANENT VISA HERE. I AM IN THE FINAL STAGE OF ACCA. I HAVE WORKING KNOWLEDGE OF MS OFFICE, EXCEL AND POWERPOINT. AT THE MOMENT I AM WORKING IN TESCO AS A TEAM LEADER. CAN I GET A JOB IN ACOUNTING WITH SUCH BACKGROUND AND WHAT SALARY I CAN EXPECT.
A consultant in the commerce and industry division of Marks Sattin wrote:
It is possible for you to get a job within accounting. You have all the theoretical knowledge, but no practical knowledge, which means that even though you are in the final stages of your accountancy qualification you will need to start in a slightly more junior role to gain experience. There are many great junior roles out there, which would offer you support for your studies and the opportunity to progress further on. It may be an idea to start off in an accounts assistant role. You should aim for a salary of £20k minimum.
I AM POST GRADUATE FROM INDIA IN COMMERCE AND BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION.I CAME TO UK 2 YEARS AGO AND NOW HOLD A PERMANENT VISA HERE. I AM IN THE FINAL STAGE OF ACCA. I HAVE WORKING KNOWLEDGE OF MS OFFICE, EXCEL AND POWERPOINT. AT THE MOMENT I AM WORKING IN TESCO AS A TEAM LEADER. CAN I GET A JOB IN ACOUNTING WITH SUCH BACKGROUND AND WHAT SALARY I CAN EXPECT.
A consultant in the commerce and industry division of Marks Sattin wrote:
It is possible for you to get a job within accounting. You have all the theoretical knowledge, but no practical knowledge, which means that even though you are in the final stages of your accountancy qualification you will need to start in a slightly more junior role to gain experience. There are many great junior roles out there, which would offer you support for your studies and the opportunity to progress further on. It may be an idea to start off in an accounts assistant role. You should aim for a salary of £20k minimum.
Moving from banking into practice
Anonymous wrote:
I am a newly qualified ACCA. I have trained in banking although work has included stat account prep for pensions and companies. What is the easiest way for me to get into practice and what salary could I expect?
A consultant in the practice team at Marks Sattin replied:
It is usually very difficult for someone who has not worked in professional services to join a practice. One of the most important aspects of working in public practice is the client interaction and communication. Someone who has not trained in a client facing role will lack some of the soft skills required. However the fact that your work has included accounts preparation would be advantageous. If you have sent in your CV, one of our consultants will be able to look at your work experience and academics and see if we can help you.
Good luck!
I am a newly qualified ACCA. I have trained in banking although work has included stat account prep for pensions and companies. What is the easiest way for me to get into practice and what salary could I expect?
A consultant in the practice team at Marks Sattin replied:
It is usually very difficult for someone who has not worked in professional services to join a practice. One of the most important aspects of working in public practice is the client interaction and communication. Someone who has not trained in a client facing role will lack some of the soft skills required. However the fact that your work has included accounts preparation would be advantageous. If you have sent in your CV, one of our consultants will be able to look at your work experience and academics and see if we can help you.
Good luck!
Friday, 1 June 2007
Moving into an accounts department
Anonymous wrote:
I worked as a senior process executive in order management department in India. Now I moved to the UK with visa status HSMP dependant. I want to move to an accounts department but my educational background is in accountancy and finance. Please let me know how can I approach this change.
A manager at Marks Sattin replied:
Firstly, I would need to know what the process executive role entailed. My initial thoughts are that it is the equivalent of the purchase ledger department in the UK. If so, the obvious route would be to look into this area of accounts. Many accountants start at this level and gradually work through the ranks. The next position would be an accounts assistant and then either assistand management accountant or assistant financial accountant, depending on your experience gained.
My advice would be to keep your options open and use the knowledge gained previously. It may be that you won't be able to start out as a senior but by proving your ability, the advancement in large corporations is very quick.
Good luck
I worked as a senior process executive in order management department in India. Now I moved to the UK with visa status HSMP dependant. I want to move to an accounts department but my educational background is in accountancy and finance. Please let me know how can I approach this change.
A manager at Marks Sattin replied:
Firstly, I would need to know what the process executive role entailed. My initial thoughts are that it is the equivalent of the purchase ledger department in the UK. If so, the obvious route would be to look into this area of accounts. Many accountants start at this level and gradually work through the ranks. The next position would be an accounts assistant and then either assistand management accountant or assistant financial accountant, depending on your experience gained.
My advice would be to keep your options open and use the knowledge gained previously. It may be that you won't be able to start out as a senior but by proving your ability, the advancement in large corporations is very quick.
Good luck
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