What IT skills/qualification?

[JPreston]

OK so I need a career that doesn't suck, so far I'm a (chartered) accountant of six year's experience but have decided that finance is rubbish and want to slide towards IT. Now, I have occasionally come across accountants who earn stupid money by implementing ERP software etc but also by using Access to construct models etc - I want a slice of that pie. Mmmmm. Pie.

From reading the 'what job do you do' thread there are a few folks here who I'm sure will be able to shed light on IT skills would be relevant? I.e. should I think about a formal qualification like an MCSE or something, or just buy something like...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/...082214-8559636

...and get on with contracting? There is a continuum (albeit narrow) between pure finance contracts and more heavily IT-based contracts so hopefully I could start down that path sooner rather later.

Any advice would be much appreciated , either on what I should learn first or even recommends on what agencies are good for this sort of thing. It's not like I can ask around at work...

[mart_haj86]

Im not sure I can help you tbh, but if you can maybe it might be worthwhile getting an IT job on a helpdesk for a while and see if after say a year or so they will help fund you towards those needed IT grades to progress further. At the moment I am classed as temporary with the company I work for but I am hoping that at the end of the temp I will be taken on permanently and providing the company I work for sees that what I am willing to learn can benefit the company then they will help fund the course (while earning a full pay at the same time)

My only problem when/if I come to take a course, preferably in programming or maybe networking is what course to take as for 1. there are so many languages you can learn and 2. what language is going to benefit me most in the future.

Martin

[rainbow]

how old are you and what kind of salary are you on atm becuase mayb a helpdesk job wouldnt be enough to supoprt you if your on a good salary now also dont go down the route of fastrack ways to get these qualifications as they a are scam, i recomend that you study yourself then take the exams andu pay for each one at a test center then u can do it at your pace and see whats out there there are a million jobs on www.jobserve.co.uk that want mcse and stuff

[JPreston]

Ah therein lies the rub; I'm on really quite a high salary now TBH, I just don't like my job (and have just changed jobs, with no improvement ).

I think contracting is the way to go for me, but while contracting as a qualified accountant brings in bucks (as a rule of thumb it would be my current salary plus cash benefits as an employee, plus 30%) if I have specialist relevant IT knowledge as well this easily becomes plus 300%. Problem is, I know what skills the Finance/IT contractors I have worked with had but more generally I haven't a clue and don't know where to start TBH.

[MadduckUK]

i ended up witht a C in GCSE IT, without a shred of coursework. my teacher nearly had a fit when he told me. I BEAT THE SYSTEM

[mart_haj86]

tbh for my age (19) im not on a bad pay packet of 16k a year (temp) which could easily raise to around 19k when and if I get taken on fully. The way it works in my company is that I pay for my exams and learning then at the end of the course i get it all paid back to me by the company i work for.

[smelly]

I recommend to stick with the accounting, and also talk to headhunters as them what IT skills they are looking for. Keep up contacts with them as they will hear about positions that come up very quickly (they are on commision after all).

Maybe diversify in the accounting role, are you in audit/tax/coporate finance etc??? maybe another qualification CTA?? I know mny peeps moving out of audit as they hate the grid and move to tax. The big 4 are always looking for new staff and with 6 years xp you're marketable - talk to the headhunters they'll know the skills you'll need.

PS: girlfriend is an accountant, sister is one also, glad i'm in IT that's all i can say

[Mutley]

My only problem when/if I come to take a course, preferably in programming or maybe networking is what course to take as for 1. there are so many languages you can learn and 2. what language is going to benefit me most in the future.

Martin

I wouldn't say thats a big problem. What you should be looking to learn is Software Engineering. The principles are applicable to any programming language - its really a matter of learning syntax and language idiosyncrasy. I would highly recommend avoiding taking a language-centred approach to learning programming (although obviously you'll need to learn programming languages to use the skill!).

JPreston, the IT industry is relatively small, but very broad - what particular areas interest you?

[schmunk]

Hey, if you want a job in tax in the Big 4, come and talk to me. We can have a little chat about introduction bonuses...

[JPreston]

Hey, if you want a job in tax in the Big 4, come and talk to me. We can have a little chat about introduction bonuses...

Been there, done that, burnt the t-shirt