Jobs in Finance Sector for an Engineer
Discussion
I am starting to consider a career change from Geotechnical Engineer into the world of finance. I'm 32 with several years site and office experience. Skills include writing reports, budgeting and project management, however I only have a BEng in Civil Engineering (no HONS year), so this seems to rule out any grad schemes.
I have been looking at tax / accountancy roles, but not sure what my chances would be of getting a start in these or any other financial roles. Living in Glasgow also limits roles, as most of the banks seem to be based in Edinburgh. I would consider commuting short term with a possible move in the future.
Looking for some advice on what roles or companies may be best for me to look at?
I have been looking at tax / accountancy roles, but not sure what my chances would be of getting a start in these or any other financial roles. Living in Glasgow also limits roles, as most of the banks seem to be based in Edinburgh. I would consider commuting short term with a possible move in the future.
Looking for some advice on what roles or companies may be best for me to look at?
I would be looking to retrain, but would hope to do this through an employer as I can't afford full time education.
The ACA/ACCA or ATT seems to be achievable on a part time basis, but getting a start with an employer may be difficult.
Would I be best contacting smaller companies to get a start or would larger organisation such as KPMG be an option?
The ACA/ACCA or ATT seems to be achievable on a part time basis, but getting a start with an employer may be difficult.
Would I be best contacting smaller companies to get a start or would larger organisation such as KPMG be an option?
Being devils advocate - where's the incentive for an employer to start training you right at the bottom of an accountancy/finance path, when they can take on a graduate at significantly less money who is willing to do whatever they're told?
Unless you're single/no dependent family/no mortgage you've got very little to offer.
What you might be better at would be looking at one of the Big4 in their consulting arm - if you've got good Civils experience, then someone like Deloitte Real Estate (was Drivers Jonas) may well be interested in hiring you. And once you're in, you can try and move... but I suspect that it'll be hard to persuade someone else to pay to train you this late in life.
Unless you're single/no dependent family/no mortgage you've got very little to offer.
What you might be better at would be looking at one of the Big4 in their consulting arm - if you've got good Civils experience, then someone like Deloitte Real Estate (was Drivers Jonas) may well be interested in hiring you. And once you're in, you can try and move... but I suspect that it'll be hard to persuade someone else to pay to train you this late in life.
Thanks for the advice and honest opinion Shirt587.
I appreciate that a young grad may be cheaper and from what I have seen advertised the grad schemes are generally low to mid £20k, which I could survive on for a couple of years.
Funnily I was told the same thing when I got into Engineering and I have done alright with a lot of hard work and a lot more luck.
I am just researching options at the minute. I have enough experience to certify as an Incorporated Engineer through the ICE and I am a member of the Association for Project Managers, so I have been gearing my career away from design over the past year and aiming for some PM work. Another year working on this would probably secure my salary and open doors.
I appreciate that a young grad may be cheaper and from what I have seen advertised the grad schemes are generally low to mid £20k, which I could survive on for a couple of years.
Funnily I was told the same thing when I got into Engineering and I have done alright with a lot of hard work and a lot more luck.
I am just researching options at the minute. I have enough experience to certify as an Incorporated Engineer through the ICE and I am a member of the Association for Project Managers, so I have been gearing my career away from design over the past year and aiming for some PM work. Another year working on this would probably secure my salary and open doors.
Can't speak for tax, but if you're looking into accountancy roles then I'd look at either BPP or Kaplan as training providers. They do a variety of classroom and distance learning courses and prices are reasonable. Their course material is pretty good and they have plenty of online support as well.
In terms of where to start, depending on your experience AAT might be worth looking into. You sound like a pretty switched on person so would fly through that in a year or two at most. However, some of it can be quite basic, so if you are confident then look at going straight into either CIMA or ACCA (you'll probably have to do the foundation level first), either qualification typically takes 3 years, but if you're dedicated you could probably complete in less. You could do that in the evenings and at weekends, and if lucky could find an employer to pick up some, if not all of the costs.
Not easy but would be worth it, once qualified or nearly there you'd be able to earn £30k+. Get a bit more experience and confidence in what you're doing and that will easily go up.
In terms of where to start, depending on your experience AAT might be worth looking into. You sound like a pretty switched on person so would fly through that in a year or two at most. However, some of it can be quite basic, so if you are confident then look at going straight into either CIMA or ACCA (you'll probably have to do the foundation level first), either qualification typically takes 3 years, but if you're dedicated you could probably complete in less. You could do that in the evenings and at weekends, and if lucky could find an employer to pick up some, if not all of the costs.
Not easy but would be worth it, once qualified or nearly there you'd be able to earn £30k+. Get a bit more experience and confidence in what you're doing and that will easily go up.
wullie_t25 said:
I appreciate that a young grad may be cheaper and from what I have seen advertised the grad schemes are generally low to mid £20k, which I could survive on for a couple of years.
It's not just surviving - the Big4 will want their pound(s) of flesh which grads are willing to give. If you've got any sort of life outside it is very tricky to manage, if you're in any kind of relationship you are likely to spend significant time away. Particularly if you turn out to be good, because then you'll get booked on all the difficult/interesting jobs.As the other Shirt said, I'd be looking at doing something that's not Finance. There's enough transferrable skills in what you've got already that you have a decent range of options.
Shirt587 said:
It's not just surviving - the Big4 will want their pound(s) of flesh which grads are willing to give. If you've got any sort of life outside it is very tricky to manage, if you're in any kind of relationship you are likely to spend significant time away. Particularly if you turn out to be good, because then you'll get booked on all the difficult/interesting jobs.
As the other Shirt said, I'd be looking at doing something that's not Finance. There's enough transferrable skills in what you've got already that you have a decent range of options.
Thanks again guys. As I have said I am just looking at options and certainly have a few things to look at and think about. I appreciate the pointers and criticisms. As the other Shirt said, I'd be looking at doing something that's not Finance. There's enough transferrable skills in what you've got already that you have a decent range of options.
I probably could do a lot better abroad than here, but being married and having a decent house here would involve substantial risks moving. Also it may be sad but I like Scotland and I know that leaving family and friends would be a big issue for my wife.
nammynake said:
How is your maths / IT / data analysis? Plenty of roles in Credit Risk for banks, ranging from portfolio modelling, data management, model review etc.
The wider data analytics (not just BI) is pretty lucrative and growing well. If you maths / stats can be brought up to spec and you can get savvy on a few key packages then there is a fair amount of work about...
I trained with KPMG - an enjoyable experience I would say and continues to be a "door opener". Some people don't take to it, but I found it suited me.
I imagine you would be effectively starting as a graduate so salary would be non-negotiable but increases each year. If I remember correctly it's a small step after 1st year then a reasonable one after second year before going onto qualified CA money after 3 years. Exact figures depend on location. A few guys have done the same as a second career so not unusual.
If you need any advice or have any questions feel free to drop me a PM. I'm sure plenty of people more qualified/experienced will be along as well to help and comment.
I imagine you would be effectively starting as a graduate so salary would be non-negotiable but increases each year. If I remember correctly it's a small step after 1st year then a reasonable one after second year before going onto qualified CA money after 3 years. Exact figures depend on location. A few guys have done the same as a second career so not unusual.
If you need any advice or have any questions feel free to drop me a PM. I'm sure plenty of people more qualified/experienced will be along as well to help and comment.
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