In the UK, more and more people are taking the decision to re-train as accountants. Training providers offer more flexible and affordable study options through Distance Learning courses and professional bodies now provide shorter entry-level qualifications that can be completed in less than a year, making it easier than ever before.
So we wanted to find out just how many accountants do start life in a different profession or industry. At the end of 2015, we asked 14,000 UK accountants if they had previously retrained, their reasons for a career change and what advice they would give to those thinking about moving into accountancy.
You can see a summary of the results in the infographic below. Most surprisingly they show that over half (55%) of respondents started out in a different career, before making the change to accountancy. So if you are thinking about a career change, you’re not alone.
But more importantly, of those that do change career, 80% say they are either ‘happy’ or ‘extremely happy’ with their choice – and a staggering 83% of them would recommend accountancy as a career to someone they know.
If you’re thinking about starting a career in accountancy, you can view our AAT course options, sign up to find out more about courses we offer, or speak to one of our friendly customer support team on 01908 540 050.
Need advice on how to get started with accountancy? Talk to our team today: