Good Morning Everyone.
I'm new here. I'm glad to have come across this group. It's hard out here for me trying to switch career fields (from Executive Assistant to something in the Accounting field). Knowing you have the capabilities but getting overlooked constantly because I've only been a "secretary" and that's all I'm being look at as.
Anonymous
03/01/24 at 3:45PM UTC (Edited)
Your current position has transferable skills in time management and people management.
Accounting jobs require proof of accounting skills. Invest in training. Do you have access to a community college for accounting courses? This will require you to put in effort in your off hours and weekends. Enjoy learning and the journey of exploration!
Anonymous
03/01/24 at 9:48PM UTC
Thanks for clarifying your education in accounting. You may want to have someone review your resume to make your accounting skills more visible. As an admin, were there some accounting responsibilities? Look at sample resumes for accounting positions.
Star7
spouse of retired military
247
03/01/24 at 4:13AM UTC
I understand...it used to be called pigeon holing. I'm in that spot too. I asked to learn a new task, and I will put it on my resume, even though it is not an actual assigned task.
I've overstayed in my position because of life events and the economy, and now the economy again! I'm exploring looking at taking advantage of free money, aka, grants for women and start a side gig or something.
Anonymous
02/29/24 at 1:47PM UTC
your perception of your capabilities may not equal qualifications. You gave us little to go by. Do you have an accounting education and/or certifications? If so how long ago did you obtain these qualifications?
Rochelle
23
02/29/24 at 4:21PM UTC
Thanks for replying. Sorry for the vagueness. Yes I have a BS in Business Management with concentration in Accounting and I have an MBA with concentration on Accounting/Finance. I finished my MBA in 2020 (the year of the shutdown). Since then, I've added certifications through LinkedIn (QuickBooks for Accounting & Excel for Accounting) to serve as refreshers.
Anonymous
02/29/24 at 1:01PM UTC
I was an inventory manager / executive assistant at an auto company , I quit my job and took an executive assistant job at a software company start up . It was a lateral move but I was desperate and knew it would be my only hope . Within 5 -6 months I was promoted to a project specialist
Anonymous
03/01/24 at 12:29PM UTC (Edited)
I had a somewhat similar experience when I was working on my MBA in Finance.
In my instance, I was working as an Admin Assistant in the Credit and Collections Department of my company and a role opened up for an Associate Financial Analyst/Secretary in a new company acquisition. At the time, I was ready to even take an internship to get started in the financial area, but the Associate Financial Analyst/Secretary role launched my career as a Financial Analyst.
If you could find a secretarial role with either an organization or department associated with finance, this may be a good step. Also, you may want to consider some agency roles to give you some experience in a financial role. A route that some of my fellow financial analysts have taken is to work in AP or AR as an entry-level financial role.
Just some thoughts. Wishing you the best. Don't give up, and if there are any financially-oriented projects at work, be sure to jump on them. Also, be sure to highlight any secretarial duties that have produced time-saving or money-saving results when you write up your current role on your resume.
P.S. Just remembered something else I did in the transition from Admin Assistant to Associate Financial Analyst/Secretary - I made a portfolio of all of my projects that were finance-oriented that I had done while working for Credit and Collections. I think that weighed fairly heavily in getting me the desired finance position.
Rochelle
23
02/29/24 at 4:22PM UTC
Thanks for replying. You give me hope with your response. Sometimes we have to take a step back in order to take 5 steps forward. But sometimes the waiting process can be frustrating.
Nina JohnsonBehavioral Health Research Coordinator
269
02/28/24 at 7:16PM UTC
It can be challenging to switch career fields so it's essential to make sure your resume and LinkedIn profile don't pigeonhole your skills. For example, it isn't enough to be financially savvy and analytical, your credentials need to support it. If your Executive Assistant responsibilities included those listed in the Accounting roles you're seeking, then be sure to include those in the description of your current role. If not, then you'll need to show you have experience and/or education outside of your current role.
Accounting can be a broad term. Are you seeking roles in Accounts Payable/Receiving or as an Assistant CFO? There's a range of roles that use accounting skills but may not be "accountant." Corporate-level accounting departments will be seeking accounting degrees and certifications while smaller businesses may accept less traditional examples of your skills. Do you manage the books of a family member's small business? Do you have a side gig processing tax filings? Are you adept at using the most common accounting software? If you have the education, be sure to highlight it and, if not, then find ways to highlight applicable skills and experience you have. And be sure to spread the word with those you know that you're interested in an accounting role - sometimes it's networking that jumps that pigeon-hole hurdle the best!
Rochelle
23
02/28/24 at 8:32PM UTC
Thanks for replying. I agree accounting is a broad term. Yes I do have a side gig of tax preparation (since 2007). I was the District Treasurer for 14 years, bookkeeper for Student Activity Fund for 2 years, and had experience in AP/AR back in the 1990's. I have applied for roles that encompasses these skills but still no luck. I hate that I have to pay back a student loan on an MBA that I can't utilize.
Anonymous
02/28/24 at 6:52PM UTC
Do you have a degree in Accounting? A certification? You have to show that you possess the fundamental understanding of the field. Are you currently working? If so, do you have a relationship with the finance department to express interest in an entry-level role or does the organization allow any cross training/job shadowing?
Rochelle
23
02/28/24 at 8:20PM UTC
Thanks for replying. Yes I have an MBA with a concentration in Accounting/Finance. I'm currently employed in the District office as Exec. Asst. to Superintendent & Board of Education. We do have a bookkeeper that I work with but she has an assistant. If I want her job, I'd have to wait about 6 years until she's retired. And at this point, I have more educational background than she does.
