**New comments** - Qualified and unemployable? Discuss...

Latest comments posted on 6th and 7th September:

Hi.... an interesting debate no doubt. There are several issues being discussed, ranging from UK based experience, qualification type to moving industry.

I would really just like to highlight that UK based experience is critical for people seeking work in the UK as it ensures high professional standards. I am a UK qualified Chartered Accountant with substantial UK experience, and having worked internationally, I can assure you that the standard to which most third world countries work to rarely approach what may be considered acceptable in the UK, hence employers have no choice but to focus on UK based experience.

However, the other side is, if you are an ACA or CPA for example, and can demonstrate high ethical standards to an employer, you will progress. Integrity and trust are key elements in any finance role, and unfortunately we cannot just rely on an individual telling us how honest they are, having previously worked in a country with poor regulation for example. You need to show a more robust response based on practical examples. Mohammed Shiraz

Melanie which are the shortage areas that require retraining? Chilumba Francis Ngosa

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Original post:

Hi Francis and all other Meet Uppers,

I certainly agree it needs a more robust approach and GAAPweb are on it! 

In the meantime if fellow Meet Uppers can offer guidance and advice to those requiring it, that would be great.

We will come back to you once we have put our heads together and come up with a solution. In the meantime I am building a blog page and will let you all know about it as soon as.

Melissa Buxton

I have been following an interesting string of emails from the GAAP "Meet up" members and the issues being discussed are very important and need a more robust approach. Why don’t you and your team create a blog on your website and let members discuss certain issues with your involvement (title them) so that any one person requiring help can easily pick it up either in the archives or on the live discussion as it progresses.

As it is, it is very difficult for one to filter through which email had the right material or information that can be used for one's advancement. Issues such us UK experience are quite pertinent and have featured prominently in the discussion. As for my fellow members, just a by the way, maybe at our next meet up, it will be impetus upon us to come up with a resolution that can even be made available to ACCA (being the mother body) for them to be made aware of what is obtaining regarding the job market and if they can proactively pursue it on our behalf and see how best this UK experience issue could be tackled. This market is so rigid and not an easy one to crack if you are coming from abroad.  But we need a way forward. Meet ups could just be as helpful.

At our last "Meet up" I was privileged to meet persons (motivational speakers/experts/mentors) who gave me quite a lot of advice and encouragement on the way forward. Some had been in similar situations before but managed to go round it. It appears to be deep rooted and has been there time immemorial, but that should not appear to be an impediment whatsoever, today times have changed significantly with the coming of globalisation and it's against this backdrop that we must start to see some change in its application and emphasis.

If this information (motivational speakers) became available on the blog everyone will greatly make use of it and chart their way forward. For now for the benefit of those who never had a chance to talk to them, you can send your CVs and explain your situations to Paul Dipple, Consultant Temporary division, paul.dipple@roberthalf.co.uk who can guide you on how to do your CVs. Mention that you are a GAAP member and believe me he will be of great help. Francis Ngosa

I am Priya, a qualified accountant from India sailing in the same ship.  I came to the UK six months ago to join my husband here and ever since have been trying for a job and the lack of UK experience is a big stumbling block.  It is indeed painful and frustrating when you are capable and willing to work hard and there is no suitable opportunity given. Anyway, my best wishes for you to succeed in your job hunt. Priya

Is it the end of the road or what?  After passing the exams (ACCA) and successfully securing a permit to work I could hardly secure a job because all I hear is I do not have the UK experience, yet I did the course in the UK. Please can any of you help even if it is on a voluntary basis just to acquire the experience, I do not mind where I start. Hoping to read from a good Samaritan. Taekoo

Hi Priya

I understand your feeling however that's the way it is here. I am from Zimbabwe and for obvious reasons left Zimbabwe and went to South Africa, then settled here in the UK 8 years ago. I found it very hard as no one was willing to emlpoy me as I had no UK experience on my CV although I have 25+ years' financial experience. The assumption in the UK was that accounts were somehow extremely different in other countries. It does get easier and I think as time goes by people's perceptions are changing. Keep at it, it will get better and you are not alone in this experience. Try temping and registering with recruitment agencies, you will then get the UK experience on your CV and more chance of finding employment until you have worked here a couple of years - much better after 3 years. Gail

As a current FC of a FTSE subsidiary (t/o£300m) and previously small company FD, I would be happy to help you to refine your approach.  Maybe we should meet up at some point to have a general discussion about what you are doing, what I think you could do differently etc? Rahul

That's what it seems. ACCA members and the body itself are not helping its members nor students. All the body is interested in is competing with other accountancy bodies about its growth in terms of members as well as students. How are we supposed to acquire UK experience when we are not offered the opportunity?  It's a big problem. Taekoo

I am a GAAPweb member and I understand your problem. I have also been wondering if it is the end of the road. I am an ACCA member with experience which I did not gain in the UK. I have UK resident status and I was advised to do my CV to highlight my transferable skills. After having done that I am still told that I do not have UK experience. Maybe this is something we should discuss at the next Meet Up?  It is a serious issue.  It seems the ACCA qualification means nothing without UK experience. Enid

Can the members who already have experience take a trainee with some form of payment for their time as a new person? Gradually people could work and do the job. If we take a wider view on accounting as a business function there is always room for improvement which is beneficial for all. So why is it so closed? Lilia

I can fully understand your situation as I have been through the same thing. The best thing is to apply for any jobs online that would lead you to accounting. Get some volunteer experience. I know it's easier said than done but I did the same thing.  Started working as a volunteer and thereafter got a temp role. At the moment I am experienced in accountancy and yet I find it difficult to look for another job so it's not easy.  However keep trying. Sneha

I came to the UK about 3 years ago from Africa and fell into exactly the same ship. I sent applications to circa 100 accountancy firms but not even one interview, all rejections. I then tried through agencies and no different. Not able to find a job within accountancy, I continued with my ACCA qualification and worked as a customer service rep.

My break came after much persistence about 2 years ago when I got a call from an agency to clear up some reconciliations for year end for a large UK company. That was it!, I worked damn hard and got recommendations from the FD and was moved to a new position. I have since qualified and worked for 2 other companies, the last being within FS. I now have the like of RBS, Citi, Credit Suisse, Lehman Brothers, etc head hunting me.

My tips from my experience:

• Be persistent. With each rejection, take back some feedback as to why you aren’t suitable. If none is given ask. Go back to the drawing board, redraft your CV if you need to. At some point I had about 20 draft versions of my CV.
• You are up against competition. As you know employers prefer UK candidates, so you have to sell yourself really hard. You CV has to be relevant, and to the point. Highlight skills the employer is looking for (system skills, adaptability etc). If you need to improve any skills go for short UK courses!. Discuss your CV with friends, your tutor etc. Ask for a critical review. You CV is the key to that interview, so it needs to be a master piece.
• Do not be picky, just get into the system. You might need to take a much junior role to what you did back home. But that’s all you need, the UK experience!. With that you have proven to a prospective employer that you are adaptable.
• It's all about transferable skills. As long as you can add value, employers are keen to meet with you. I moved from industry and commerce to the public sector. I was told having taken a role in the PS I could never move into financial services. Well not true, I have since moved industries. I also have a friend who moved from the PS to JP Morgan.
• When you get that break, ensure you do a good job.

I hope this helps. Peter

My theory is that there is just a saturation of accountants in the UK. The wages are being driven down and there just aren't as many vacancies as there used to be. I found it ten times easier to get a job five years ago than I do now and on better wages. UK born and bred. I, myself, am off to retrain in an entirely different industry in a shortage area. Melanie

Comments

[ian]

what you have to remember is that most people in accountancy are lazy and that recruitment agencies are full of failed accountants and ex advertising sales assistants. It grim but it's true.

There are a few open minded and intelligent people out there so keep knocking on doors and you'll eventually find them.

Good luck