In a career i hate with lots of free time, suggestions?
Discussion
Hi all,
I am currently an accountant for national company. I am part qualified working with qualified peers. I don't like being an accountant, it was a career I went into without much thought and feel stuck where I am. I am reluctant to continue my studes to get qualified as I have such little motivation to do it knowing I don't want to continue in this career (I'm probably QBE at this point anyway).
I get paid well for my role, so much so that leaving where I am to get a job somewhere else in a more senior position (such as FC) would likely mean my salary stays the same or might even be less for a lot more responsibility/ stress. If I wanted to continue my career it'd be worth it as a move would lead to better opportunities in the future .
Part of the reason I have been in my role for so long is that I am very comfortable. Pay is good and I also only work on average about 15 hours a week 100% home based. I need to stay infront of my laptop in my downtime incase I get a request for information/ reports but there are days when I log on knowing I have nothng to do. Currently I am wasting my time while I am not working during the day and need to be more productive so I can eventually move on but am lacking any suggestions on what I can do. I could complete my studies while being paid (paying for the courses/ exams myself as I'd want to leave the company after qualifying and have to pay them back anyway). I could be studying something else in order to move sideways/ change career but don't have any ideas on what else I would like to do.
I have looked at maybe going to a career advisor but wanted to know if anyone else has been in a similar position to me looking for a change and how they helped. Does any one have any suggestions to careers where an accountants skills are applicable? If so, would i benefit me moving to a different career being fully qualified over part qualified? I'm a bit lost at what I can do as I am scared I'll find myself in the same position 3-4 years down the line stuck in what is a comfortable position but with no scope for progression.
I am currently an accountant for national company. I am part qualified working with qualified peers. I don't like being an accountant, it was a career I went into without much thought and feel stuck where I am. I am reluctant to continue my studes to get qualified as I have such little motivation to do it knowing I don't want to continue in this career (I'm probably QBE at this point anyway).
I get paid well for my role, so much so that leaving where I am to get a job somewhere else in a more senior position (such as FC) would likely mean my salary stays the same or might even be less for a lot more responsibility/ stress. If I wanted to continue my career it'd be worth it as a move would lead to better opportunities in the future .
Part of the reason I have been in my role for so long is that I am very comfortable. Pay is good and I also only work on average about 15 hours a week 100% home based. I need to stay infront of my laptop in my downtime incase I get a request for information/ reports but there are days when I log on knowing I have nothng to do. Currently I am wasting my time while I am not working during the day and need to be more productive so I can eventually move on but am lacking any suggestions on what I can do. I could complete my studies while being paid (paying for the courses/ exams myself as I'd want to leave the company after qualifying and have to pay them back anyway). I could be studying something else in order to move sideways/ change career but don't have any ideas on what else I would like to do.
I have looked at maybe going to a career advisor but wanted to know if anyone else has been in a similar position to me looking for a change and how they helped. Does any one have any suggestions to careers where an accountants skills are applicable? If so, would i benefit me moving to a different career being fully qualified over part qualified? I'm a bit lost at what I can do as I am scared I'll find myself in the same position 3-4 years down the line stuck in what is a comfortable position but with no scope for progression.
Never let high pay keep you stuck in a job you don't want.
Never quit a sensible qualification part way through.
Get fully qualified and then change jobs. There are plenty of interesting jobs out there where your skills/qualifications can be applied in a more practical role. Just because you're an accountant doesn't mean you have to be stuck in one office ticking numbers.
Never quit a sensible qualification part way through.
Get fully qualified and then change jobs. There are plenty of interesting jobs out there where your skills/qualifications can be applied in a more practical role. Just because you're an accountant doesn't mean you have to be stuck in one office ticking numbers.
Petrus1983 said:
Day trading - start with a small amount (or free tester) and see how you do. You're obviously financially astute.
One step away from gambling 
OP, do you actually want a job with some form of responsibility or job satisfaction? Sounds like you might need to use this free time to train up for the career you actually want.
Watching this with interest...
I also worked towards an accountancy qual (CIMA) and knew it wasnt what i really wanted to do. So i really struggled to put in the graft to complete it and it took me ages to finally pass, and that was down to bloody mindedness - the "I'll show them" approach.
I'm moved sideways at the same co who sponsored my exams so i now work in SAP support, having used it for years as a bean-counter - I got involved with a few projects with my accountants hat on and then moved full time onto the support function.
Is that an option? Does IT / systems interest you in any way? There decent overlap i think in terms of skills / traits.
Oh, and the correct answer to what to do with your free time is post on PH
I also worked towards an accountancy qual (CIMA) and knew it wasnt what i really wanted to do. So i really struggled to put in the graft to complete it and it took me ages to finally pass, and that was down to bloody mindedness - the "I'll show them" approach.
I'm moved sideways at the same co who sponsored my exams so i now work in SAP support, having used it for years as a bean-counter - I got involved with a few projects with my accountants hat on and then moved full time onto the support function.
Is that an option? Does IT / systems interest you in any way? There decent overlap i think in terms of skills / traits.
Oh, and the correct answer to what to do with your free time is post on PH
I'd potentially be open to moving sideways, however I am lost as to what I wanted to try. I think my question in the original post wasn't too clear. I was after suggestions as to who I could approach to talk to for suggestion of roles I'd be suited for. Indurstries I might find interesting joinning and what my options are to make some progression in my career (.
I've had a brief look online for career advisors but haven't found anything that jumps out at me. There is career advice from a .gov site that I am not sure if suitable for me and there are career advisors charging £800 but it looked more focussed on helping someone who knows what they want get what they want. Does anyone have any experience of who could help someone who's a bit lost and needs guidance?
I've had a brief look online for career advisors but haven't found anything that jumps out at me. There is career advice from a .gov site that I am not sure if suitable for me and there are career advisors charging £800 but it looked more focussed on helping someone who knows what they want get what they want. Does anyone have any experience of who could help someone who's a bit lost and needs guidance?
Petrus1983 said:
Day trading - start with a small amount (or free tester) and see how you do. You're obviously financially astute.
Financially astute has very little to do with making money at day trading,the test accounts are pointless, very different when you start playing with your own money,plus unless you can set time aside when you know you won't be disturbed you won't get far If you don't know what you want to do, sometimes, trying something is the only way. Take your accountancy career. You say you just ended up doing it, and now you realise you don't want to do it.
mts XF said:
I've had a brief look online for career advisors but haven't found anything that jumps out at me. There is career advice from a .gov site that I am not sure if suitable for me and there are career advisors charging £800 but it looked more focussed on helping someone who knows what they want get what they want. Does anyone have any experience of who could help someone who's a bit lost and needs guidance?
You could do a skills/strengths analysis to work out what you want/are capable of doing. I can recommend someone who can help who is a career coach for professionals like you. Message me if you want and I'll send their details.
mts XF said:
Hi all,
I am currently an accountant for national company. I am part qualified working with qualified peers. I don't like being an accountant, it was a career I went into without much thought and feel stuck where I am. I am reluctant to continue my studes to get qualified as I have such little motivation to do it knowing I don't want to continue in this career (I'm probably QBE at this point anyway).
I get paid well for my role, so much so that leaving where I am to get a job somewhere else in a more senior position (such as FC) would likely mean my salary stays the same or might even be less for a lot more responsibility/ stress. If I wanted to continue my career it'd be worth it as a move would lead to better opportunities in the future .
Part of the reason I have been in my role for so long is that I am very comfortable. Pay is good and I also only work on average about 15 hours a week 100% home based. I need to stay infront of my laptop in my downtime incase I get a request for information/ reports but there are days when I log on knowing I have nothng to do. Currently I am wasting my time while I am not working during the day and need to be more productive so I can eventually move on but am lacking any suggestions on what I can do. I could complete my studies while being paid (paying for the courses/ exams myself as I'd want to leave the company after qualifying and have to pay them back anyway). I could be studying something else in order to move sideways/ change career but don't have any ideas on what else I would like to do.
I have looked at maybe going to a career advisor but wanted to know if anyone else has been in a similar position to me looking for a change and how they helped. Does any one have any suggestions to careers where an accountants skills are applicable? If so, would i benefit me moving to a different career being fully qualified over part qualified? I'm a bit lost at what I can do as I am scared I'll find myself in the same position 3-4 years down the line stuck in what is a comfortable position but with no scope for progression.
MTS - I graduated in Accountancy &* Finance trained as an ACA, but failed 1 or 2 papers each exam round, I was super unhappy as an auditor so I quit. I am currently an accountant for national company. I am part qualified working with qualified peers. I don't like being an accountant, it was a career I went into without much thought and feel stuck where I am. I am reluctant to continue my studes to get qualified as I have such little motivation to do it knowing I don't want to continue in this career (I'm probably QBE at this point anyway).
I get paid well for my role, so much so that leaving where I am to get a job somewhere else in a more senior position (such as FC) would likely mean my salary stays the same or might even be less for a lot more responsibility/ stress. If I wanted to continue my career it'd be worth it as a move would lead to better opportunities in the future .
Part of the reason I have been in my role for so long is that I am very comfortable. Pay is good and I also only work on average about 15 hours a week 100% home based. I need to stay infront of my laptop in my downtime incase I get a request for information/ reports but there are days when I log on knowing I have nothng to do. Currently I am wasting my time while I am not working during the day and need to be more productive so I can eventually move on but am lacking any suggestions on what I can do. I could complete my studies while being paid (paying for the courses/ exams myself as I'd want to leave the company after qualifying and have to pay them back anyway). I could be studying something else in order to move sideways/ change career but don't have any ideas on what else I would like to do.
I have looked at maybe going to a career advisor but wanted to know if anyone else has been in a similar position to me looking for a change and how they helped. Does any one have any suggestions to careers where an accountants skills are applicable? If so, would i benefit me moving to a different career being fully qualified over part qualified? I'm a bit lost at what I can do as I am scared I'll find myself in the same position 3-4 years down the line stuck in what is a comfortable position but with no scope for progression.
That was like 1993. Since then I went on to be an headhunter in Finance, and then into in house recruitment and HR for Global Companies.
If you want I'd could give you some career advice, based on your situation and we can chat about what you really want. I am not a certified coach, but I have 25 years in career development and HR. Ping me a mail and we can connect if you like.
If I was in your position I would:
1) thank my lucky stars to be in a fortunate position: Full pay for 15 hrs work a week.
2) Finish the qualifciation. You've got plently of time and no excuses.
3) See what doors are open to me. Having an accountancy qualification does not mean you have to be an accountant. If you like systems for example you could be the architect to a finance system.
I don't know where you are in your life but your current set up is perfect if you have kids.
I am an accountant, FC, don't really like it that much but it provides some challenges etc. I persaonlly really like finance systems and did a stint at that previous to this job however it required travel and that did not fit in with my life. RIght now I work from home and can do everything I need to do to support my kids. I take them to and from school, i attend their sharing assemblies and when they get to secondary school I plan to be around them and support them. I only do my job because it pays well and I can be at home.
My point is that, whilst some areas of accountancy aren't maybe what you want out of life, you can't get away from the fact it's one of the better paying office based careers with the sort of flexibilty in both career path and working hours many people need at differing stages of their lives. I struggle to think what else I could do that would pay half has much and match the flexibility.
Finish the exams and then make your decision. Fill your free time wisely.
1) thank my lucky stars to be in a fortunate position: Full pay for 15 hrs work a week.
2) Finish the qualifciation. You've got plently of time and no excuses.
3) See what doors are open to me. Having an accountancy qualification does not mean you have to be an accountant. If you like systems for example you could be the architect to a finance system.
I don't know where you are in your life but your current set up is perfect if you have kids.
I am an accountant, FC, don't really like it that much but it provides some challenges etc. I persaonlly really like finance systems and did a stint at that previous to this job however it required travel and that did not fit in with my life. RIght now I work from home and can do everything I need to do to support my kids. I take them to and from school, i attend their sharing assemblies and when they get to secondary school I plan to be around them and support them. I only do my job because it pays well and I can be at home.
My point is that, whilst some areas of accountancy aren't maybe what you want out of life, you can't get away from the fact it's one of the better paying office based careers with the sort of flexibilty in both career path and working hours many people need at differing stages of their lives. I struggle to think what else I could do that would pay half has much and match the flexibility.
Finish the exams and then make your decision. Fill your free time wisely.
Edited by VeeReihenmotor6 on Thursday 18th April 16:59
Whatever you do, find something to keep you busy. Personal development or actively go looking for more work projects in your current company.
One day you most likely will end up in a position where you need to work more and getting used to 15 hour weeks is going to make that very very difficult to do, witness all the people who were quiet during Covid and then found going back to normal very hard.
One day you most likely will end up in a position where you need to work more and getting used to 15 hour weeks is going to make that very very difficult to do, witness all the people who were quiet during Covid and then found going back to normal very hard.
OP - definitely worth finishing your qualifications to the best of your ability.
I know a handful of people that are qualified chartered accountants working in nothing to do with accounting. But their qualifications have definitely helped them get the jobs they have. My mate reckons in the first couple roles it helped him be able to demonstrate perseverance etc
I know a handful of people that are qualified chartered accountants working in nothing to do with accounting. But their qualifications have definitely helped them get the jobs they have. My mate reckons in the first couple roles it helped him be able to demonstrate perseverance etc
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