Beckie is why providing this course is essential to the community. A stay-at-home Mum who started late into the course is now excelling and loving every minute of it, even the areas that did not come naturally to her. She is now working at an accountant’s firm as an assistant in Matlock and studying to become a chartered accountant.
We spoke to Beckie about her experience on the course so far.
Doing something for myself.
“I’ve got 4 kids at home, I was a work-from-home mum doing social media sales, I just wanted to do something for myself. I decided enough is enough and I’ve always wanted to do accountancy. I’ve always enjoyed math, I don’t know what made me do it, I was just looking online and decided I wanted to do it. The course being in the evening as well convinced me with 4 children and my husband working, he is able to look after them whilst I’m doing my course 2 nights a week.”
Coming back to college.
“It was weird coming back into education, I didn’t know what to expect. I came to Chesterfield College when I was younger, and I did not appreciate it. This time I’ve come to college, I want to learn and it’s completely different.
When I first started I had no idea what the tutor was talking about. As it’s gone on, it’s all come together. I love my tutor; she is the best thing about the course. She’s down to earth and supportive, if I need anything, I just email.”
Why accountancy?
“I had no experience in accounts, but I have always wanted to do it. There are a few people in my family with their own businesses and I’ve always been interested in that side of things. It means I already have a few clients lined up too. “
Work experience.
“I have a job doing bookkeeping at an accountancy firm part-time. I love it. You understand it more, going to work and putting your studies into practice, really helped. At college, I learnt SAGE and that’s what I do at work. At work, I learnt Excell and I now I do that at college.”
Do what’s best for you.
“I’ve put it off for years and you are never going to change your career if you don’t choose to yourself. Do what’s best for you, you’ve got to start somewhere.
Most of the coursework is done in class, sometimes you get homework but nothing that isn’t manageable to fit around your personal life and job. So you don’t need to worry about doing extra work. Same with exams, these are done at the same time as your lessons would be.”
The end goal.
“After Level 3, I plan on setting my business up and starting bookkeeping for my Uncle’s business. I’ve got a plan for my future, I want to be a Chartered Accountant, there’s just a lot of work to get there.”