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Are sales considered a less stable career?

Is it too late for a career switch to Accounting at 34....?

  • Dear Sir, Hi im currently 34, from India and would like to do a career switch into the Accounting field. I'm planning to start with the ICWAI foundation as I am 12th passed (Not a Graduate) & then finish upto Final level.I know this process will take 3 - 4 years to complete which I am willing to do.On the side I can start an entry level accounting job to start gaining experience in this field ( though I know that will be difficult getting a job for a person not having accounting work experience). As much as I wish to expedite the learning process as a late starter in this field, I believe in getting my foundations right and would appreciate if someone can give me some advise on the following: a) Is the ICWAI course class based or correspondence based ? b) In the ICWAI website it has been about coaching / training done by ICWAI.Are they classes which I have to attend or I have to take private classes on my own to solve any problems of grasping accounting concepts. c)For the Intermediate course do I have to be a graduate ? That means I also should take an undergraduate degree program & passed it to be eligible for the ICWAI Intermediate course ? Or the passing the ICWAI final course is considered to be graduate enough ? Please correct me if I am wrong.In case would taking the ICWAI's B.COM WITH MAJOR IN FINANCIAL AND COST ACCOUNTING [B.COM (F & CA)] programe with ICWAI foundation course. d)Passing / Getting the ICWAI final certification is equivalent to the US CMA ? I need your kind guidance with regards to a career in accounting field.I have been working for 10 years in different fields.I had some financial problems due to which I couldn't complete my graduate studies. I have worked in sales & back office in a securities firm for 5 years.Then I shifted to Dubai working for a reputed local bank in back office for 4 years.Then the recession hit Dubai badly & the bank had to lay off excess staff.I got married then & had worked for a private firm in a sales position in Dubai before that company had to be closed down due to cash problems. I am now having financial problems. I have been doing a lot of thinking about my future planning.In college accounts used to be my favourite subject as I used to liked tallying things in the balance sheet, etc.I was initially interested in doing the CMA (Certified Management Accountant) course of USA.But then I know it is very expensive & time consuming.I believe that in India we have the ICWAI which is equal to the US CMA.Please correct me if I am wrong. But first I want to my get my Accounting basics correct.I know that most companies hiring CMAs/ ICWAI accountants hire people who have a Bachelors in Accountancy.I also feel that it has been a long time since I have done college, so I would have forget most of the Basic Accounting principles. My 2nd option is to enrol for the ICA's 3 year B.Com (Finance & Investment) program & working part time in account related jobs to gain pratical knowledge.After finishing my B.Com I can do the same ICA's CIA Plus program to gain higher knowledge in practical Accounts.You can check the site http://www.icajobguarantee.com Guys I am confused & in a very tough situation.The reason why I am looking for accounting field is that I have interest in it & I believe it has stability & good growth prospects in today's recession economy. I look forward to receiving good advise and thank you in advance. Sorry for the trouble & posting such a big Question .. :-) Thanks & Regards, John D

  • Answer:

    I am giving you a logical answer but not professional. There is nothing wrong in pursuing studies at the age of 34. The basic question is: Will you be able to finance your studies with your present earnings, as you have a family and expenses will be mounting with every passing day. I would suggest you do B.Com from a recognized university(not from any institutes). A B.Com degree will be the right base for your career growth. Thereafter, if circumstances permit, you can continue to study and fulfill your ambition.

John D'souza at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

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You're never too old... I'm starting Accounting (in Australia) and I'm 58. So what. In Australia you can get an accounting degree then work for yourself. If you work for yourself, then no one is going to ask you how long you have been doing the work. However you seem to have had employment in the finance and banking areas, so I can't see how getting an Accounting degree would be a totally new career for you. Have you though about moving to Australia to do your course at one of the Uni's here?

Hi. No you are not too late at all. You sound very informed. I say go for it and good luck.:-)

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