₦airaland Forum

Hello Nairalanders,

I really need help at this point as I am confused as to what direction to take given the wealth of knowledge and resources I have.

The Background
I have about 6years experience in Mid-Level Sales Management with 2 Multi-National companies but I desire a career change to a field that I have always been attached to from way back: Accounting.
I am in the Professional Stage of ICAN, would be rounding up in May 2017 (By His Grace).

The Problem
I have no Accounting work-related experience and I fear that if I decide to resign my current job to work with a small accounting firm for experience, I would be taking a pay cut of close to 80% (I am in Ogun State and there are not too many big audit firms around here).
Let's even say the pay cut is not an issue and I resign my job to start working with an accounting firm as a trainee, what are the chances of me getting a "normal" paying job once I'm Chartered and with a few months (maybe a year) of accounting experience as a trainee given the current situation of the country? I can afford to take a temporary pay-cut or even work for free for at most a year but after that nko?
I have also thought of getting additional international qualifications in the field of accounting such as SAP FI/CO/BusinessOne, Certified Analytics Professional Uk, Sage 50/100 Accounts and Payroll and maybe take a short online course with a Canadian or Uk University in Financial Management and Analysis. Maybe this would help me secure a great accounting job fast whether within or outside the country. I have thought of applying to Canadian companies from here under the Federal Skilled Worker program with the aforementioned qualifications once completed but would they take me given that I don't have relevant accounting experience?

But actually, I do have 6 years experience, but in Sales! Isn't there a way I can leverage that in the pursuit of my accounting aspiration? Maybe something like Sales Finance or Sales accounting? And build accounting knowledge on the sales experience and backup with relevant additional professional qualifications?

This is all getting me worked up and I think I'm resigning my job soon because I have already made a big irredeemable mess here getting confused and not being at the top of my game anymore.

I need expert advice please...from industry professionals.

Hello Nairalanders,

I really need help at this point as I am confused as to what direction to take given the wealth of knowledge and resources I have.

The Background
I have about 6years experience in Mid-Level Sales Management with 2 Multi-National companies but I desire a career change to a field that I have always been attached to from way back: Accounting.
I am in the Professional Stage of ICAN, would be rounding up in May 2017 (By His Grace).

The Problem
I have no Accounting work-related experience and I fear that if I decide to resign my current job to work with a small accounting firm for experience, I would be taking a pay cut of close to 80% (I am in Ogun State and there are not too many big audit firms around here).
Let's even say the pay cut is not an issue and I resign my job to start working with an accounting firm as a trainee, what are the chances of me getting a "normal" paying job once I'm Chartered and with a few months (maybe a year) of accounting experience as a trainee given the current situation of the country? I can afford to take a temporary pay-cut or even work for free for at most a year but after that nko?
I have also thought of getting additional international qualifications in the field of accounting such as SAP FI/CO/BusinessOne, Certified Analytics Professional Uk, Sage 50/100 Accounts and Payroll and maybe take a short online course with a Canadian or Uk University in Financial Management and Analysis. Maybe this would help me secure a great accounting job fast whether within or outside the country. I have thought of applying to Canadian companies from here under the Federal Skilled Worker program with the aforementioned qualifications once completed but would they take me given that I don't have relevant accounting experience?

But actually, I do have 6 years experience, but in Sales! Isn't there a way I can leverage that in the pursuit of my accounting aspiration? Maybe something like Sales Finance or Sales accounting? And build accounting knowledge on the sales experience and backup with relevant additional professional qualifications?

This is all getting me worked up and I think I'm resigning my job soon because I have already made a big irredeemable mess here getting confused and not being at the top of my game anymore.

I need expert advice please...from industry professionals.