UK Easiest way into Management Accounting?

[londonbanker]

Hi - I would like some career advice from all experienced accountants on here...

I am currently 26 and I work in Operations in a bank that I joined 4 years ago on the graduate scheme.

I have figured this is not where I want to be, and Management Accounting is the path I want to go down. I would also like to start studying for CIMA.

Would it be wise/unwise to apply for Finance graduate schemes again (bearing in mind I am 26 and graduated 4 years ago) or should I approach recruitment agents to find entry level Finance positions?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Accountant1]

Hi, if you've fot 4 years experience in a bank on a grad scheme, you're probably going to need to take a pay cut to go and do a Finance grad scheme elsewhere. Have you tried asking your current bank if they'll sponsor you to do the qualification? If not, if you have banking knowledge, there should be banking firms that will let you go into an entry level position that will sponsor you for the CIMA qualification.

Having said that, 26 isn't too old, and you get quite a few people on grad schemes of that age, particularly at the Big 4. Have you considered doing a CA? Have a look at our site big4gossip - News | Salaries | Guides for Big 4 accounting firms for info accounting careers.

There's an anecdote from someone that moved into management acounting following their stint at the big 4 too which might be of some interest big4gossip - Management Accounting

My advice by the way, would be to do both. Just be wary of some of the recruitment consultants though, as they will be more motivated to place you whereever than give you great career advice. Have a think about what you definitely want to do though. If you want the CIMA to get into front office, it's not that easy, but certainly acheivable.

Get in contact with us directly through here, or via our site if you've got anymore questions, and we can try and put you in contact with people that have been in similar situations.

Thanks,

Accountant1