Is it possible to get an entry level job in accounts payable or receivable or in payroll without the following?
Asked by What kind of Q!!
1. No relevant reference and no recent referees of any kind. Plus 2. No experience BUT I've tested well on fast data entry keystrokes by a recruitment consultant at a large recruitment agency (yet she quickly gave up because of 1 & 2 above) AND I did well in a correspondence bookkeeping course ages ago (but other troubles and priorities meant I could never complete it for a certificate). I can also use MYOB and QUICKEN products at a basic to intermediate level but have no one to vouch for me. I can also use MS Excel with some formulas but have had no incentive to take my skill to an intermediate or advanced level at which I know I could be. I do understand the basics of cash flow. Should I stay unemployed while doing a university course in accounting? Or should I phone-canvass to try to get a voluntary job in AR, AP, or payroll? Do any small businesses, medium, or large even trust enough to take on volunteers part time to train them to process their money records? I think I would enjoy these jobs but know there are some people in those jobs who hate it. (Why are employers so unfair to the unemployed yet complain that we live off the taxpayers?). I'm in Australia. Is there any hope whatsoever? If you have relevant knowledge or experience in these jobs, please advise and address all the above issues. Anyone with industry knowledge or exp in UK, USA, Oz, NZ, and Canda may answer. Thanks to the first 3 repliers for searching out this question to answer. But Scat, your ans is useless because u just have hostility towards the unemployed. How would u like it if you're unemployed? I'm not feeling sorry for myself like u assume & misread. Encouraging answers from "Cliff" and "So not telling."

Best Answer:
As someone who has gotten my first AP experience through an agency, I suggest continuing to go through the temporary route. My first accounting experience was part-time, filing invoices for an accounting department, so I suggest taking any job related to the field to make it easier to get your foot in the door. I've continued to work with the recruitment agency, and they've gotten me a great job I really enjoy working at. You will need to apply to more than one agency, though, as this will present you with potentially more opportunities. I have tried applying directly to companies, but that has proved unsuccessful, as I'd never gotten a call back. You should definitely still try applying directly to employers, but it will be much easier to go through an agency, as they will have much more knowledge of open positions. As far as your Excel skills, they are EXTREMELY important in an accounting career, in my opinion. I asked my recruiter if I needed to retake my typing tests, and he said he doesn't even look at them - he only really cared that I got high Excel scores. I even took a class on spreadsheets, and that has proved very valuable, as I've been using a lot of what I've learned in the real world. So if you're going to take a class, don't take one on accounting principles (AP clerks don't use any of that), but instead take an Excel class (I'm using it every day). I've never heard of an accounting department offering voluntary positions here in the States, but who knows, they might exist. So in summary, as a former AP Clerk, working with an agency is the easiest way to get your foot in the door into the accounting field in my opinion, apply to more than one agency, and learn Excel, especially if you think you can be advanced in spreadsheets - it will really help you!!! Edit: I re-read your question. If you mean going to school for an accounting degree (AA or BA) - if you can afford the time and money, I back this idea 100%. Holding a degree might be your most rewarding form of training because, you're right, employers will value you having a degree. If it's just one accounting class, don't do it. You'll be wasting your time, as you won't use any of it in my opinion. If it's just one class, learn Excel.

You could definetly pick up volenteer work to add to your C.V. most companies would be thrilled with this. however, to get a job. these days the piece of paper to say you have the skills behind you is all that seems to count now. goodluck
Answered by So not telling

You need to prove yourself trustworthy before getting a position handling large amounts of money (AR). Being unemployed is not a good start - any job, bookkeeping or not is a better position to be in when applying for a job. Employers #1 job is to maintain the success of their employer NOT assist unemployed people to feel better about themselves. The sooner you realize this the better. Get a PT job, then try and get a low level mail room, receptionist position (go to TAFE and finish that Certificate) and then try to move up.
Answered by scat