Hello everybody. I have just enrolled on a complete bookkeeping course, and will hopefully be a certified bookkeeper in a year's time! I worked as an accounts assistant for a firm of accountants for a little over two years, producing accounts up to draft accounts. I really enjoyed and loved this job, but decided to retrain as a teacher of maths in secondary education, which is what I've done for the last five years. Having given it a go (and I feel gained a lot of useful skills and experiences from it), I now know that I want to return to accountancy, and in particular doing bookkeeping and accounts for small businesses. I've kept my hand in a little bit by doing the odd bits and pieces, but the recruitment agencies have all said the same thing - my experience is no longer relevant, my degree is from too long ago and to contact them in six months when I've gained some up to date experience. On the bright side, they do tell me I have an excellent CV which would appeal to many an employer.
I'd like to work part time while I study - the main reason to gain practical experience before launching my own little bookkeeping business, but also to earn while I learn. However, I'm finding it impossible to even get my foot in the door, despite offering to do voluntary work. The only vacancies or opportunities I can find are for apprenticeships, and at 30 years old, I feel that isn't the correct course of action for me, or vacancies nowhere near where I live (which is Guisborough/Skelton area). I was wondering if anybody had any useful tips or suggestions on gaining experience, things that you've tried if you've been in a similar position.
Thanks in advance,
Samantha
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