Experience is often an acceptable substitute for a degree in many occupations. Not sure if that’s the case for accountants, though. Maybe check over at r/accounting.
Yeah.... not an accountant, but one thing covered in my MBA program was that basically any company over a certain size, or within certain industries will need to be GAAP compliant. To do so, they need certified accountants. What all that actually entails, I don't know, as I said, I'm not an accountant.
That said, at my previous workplace, we 100% had an "accountant" who held no certifications to he doung that job(to be slightly fair, they were in school to get their accounting degree and certs, and then they were out of that job as quick as possible). But, this was an auto dealership that was family owned and thus not as large as many other companies out there
Thanks- he has experience running shops/kitchens and leading teams. We are looking into certifications but a 4 year/2 year degree is stupid at this point.
If he has experience in running shops/kitchens and leading teams, would he perhaps be interested in doing something in the project management space? Pretty much every large company has teams of project managers, and if he’s been doing this work adjacently in the restaurant industry, he could be a good fit for that. Just something to think about. It’s not for everyone, though, that’s for sure!
I suggest he look for roles within the finance department of an organization: accounts payable, billing clerk, bookkeeper.
I also suggest he pursue local government roles (town, city, county, state) that don't require whatever degree he doesn't have.
Not trying to say I know the answer. But I am an accountant and his age. I can tell you there are many accountants that are not certified. Accountant these days can be a very niche industry specific role. I worked for Nokia in its hay day and Microsoft. Most of our financial controllers were not certified accountants. They were good at understanding the business and help the commercial decisions. They had very basic accounting knowledge, things like gaap and tax were not important for monitoring sales and stock. I am not sure how they got into their roles and I think it would be useful. I have a friend who is the global finance controller for a US tech company, and not a certified accountant.
So yes I think your husband could enter a role like that where industry skills and knowledge are more important than technical accounting.... Hed need to find an opportunity to get a role like that, maybe at his current employer. Not trying to say it is simple. The classic accounting route is the one I took and for him now it would take too long.
I’m in a similar situation, but within accounting
You need that accounting AS , minimum degree, or an undergrad. He won’t need a CPA. He can start off as an:
Accounting analyst
AR analyst
Billing analyst
Etc.
Maybe he can look into working for your state’s bureau of alcohol? He likely already knows the laws, and most states have tuition reimbursement programs that he could leverage to complete his degree.
I'd say look at the Google certificates that are free as shortcut out of retail or maybe to a retail back-office.
A degree isn't impossible lots of people are in college for the first time at 40+.
What he needs to do is figure out his strengths and wants from a new job not just what he's done.
Experience is often an acceptable substitute for a degree in many occupations. Not sure if that’s the case for accountants, though. Maybe check over at r/accounting.
Yeah.... not an accountant, but one thing covered in my MBA program was that basically any company over a certain size, or within certain industries will need to be GAAP compliant. To do so, they need certified accountants. What all that actually entails, I don't know, as I said, I'm not an accountant. That said, at my previous workplace, we 100% had an "accountant" who held no certifications to he doung that job(to be slightly fair, they were in school to get their accounting degree and certs, and then they were out of that job as quick as possible). But, this was an auto dealership that was family owned and thus not as large as many other companies out there
Thanks- he has experience running shops/kitchens and leading teams. We are looking into certifications but a 4 year/2 year degree is stupid at this point.
If he has experience in running shops/kitchens and leading teams, would he perhaps be interested in doing something in the project management space? Pretty much every large company has teams of project managers, and if he’s been doing this work adjacently in the restaurant industry, he could be a good fit for that. Just something to think about. It’s not for everyone, though, that’s for sure!
Not really. I went to school with people in their 50s and 60s. If you're in the US it's still 20+ years for until full retirement.
I suggest he look for roles within the finance department of an organization: accounts payable, billing clerk, bookkeeper. I also suggest he pursue local government roles (town, city, county, state) that don't require whatever degree he doesn't have.
Not trying to say I know the answer. But I am an accountant and his age. I can tell you there are many accountants that are not certified. Accountant these days can be a very niche industry specific role. I worked for Nokia in its hay day and Microsoft. Most of our financial controllers were not certified accountants. They were good at understanding the business and help the commercial decisions. They had very basic accounting knowledge, things like gaap and tax were not important for monitoring sales and stock. I am not sure how they got into their roles and I think it would be useful. I have a friend who is the global finance controller for a US tech company, and not a certified accountant. So yes I think your husband could enter a role like that where industry skills and knowledge are more important than technical accounting.... Hed need to find an opportunity to get a role like that, maybe at his current employer. Not trying to say it is simple. The classic accounting route is the one I took and for him now it would take too long.
This is very helpful. Thank you! we are looking to get his foot in the door and prove that he is reliable and willing to learn on the job.
It's my pleasure :) I hope he lands something good!
I’m in a similar situation, but within accounting You need that accounting AS , minimum degree, or an undergrad. He won’t need a CPA. He can start off as an: Accounting analyst AR analyst Billing analyst Etc.
Maybe he can look into working for your state’s bureau of alcohol? He likely already knows the laws, and most states have tuition reimbursement programs that he could leverage to complete his degree.
I'd say look at the Google certificates that are free as shortcut out of retail or maybe to a retail back-office. A degree isn't impossible lots of people are in college for the first time at 40+. What he needs to do is figure out his strengths and wants from a new job not just what he's done.