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Offer for Voluntary Service.. Pls, help.

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segexvent

I am currently, completing my ACCA Exams with about 6 papers to go. I used to be a Banker before relocating to UK in 2005 and decided to pursue my dream of becoming a professional Accountant. It has now become inevitable for me to begin my Practical Experience / Mentorship requirements part of the programme and boost my confidence to achieve this goal.

The problems is, I have not been able to find job in this field, since I started the Exams (on self-study basis) about 3yrs ago, as the Employers/ Agencies refer to my lack of UK Experience and the Recession. I am forced to be doing all these jobs, I don't like, to keep life moving and meet up with the family demand.

As a result, I have decided to set aside 2 days a week (Tuesdays and Fridays or as agreed) to offer voluntary work, to a reputable organisation or person(s), who I can learn a lot from and mentor me, for the rest of the programme.

I live in Aston ,part of Birmingham and would like not to be too far from this area due to the cost implication. I have the right to work full time in UK and I drive with full UK licence.

I believe there are lots of Accountants on this forum, who can assist me and I shall appreciate any help that you can proffer. Thanking you, Sirs.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Hi - I do really wish you good luck with your search, have you tried writing a letter to accountants close to you? I am sure a well written letter and a bit of persistence will do the trick.
 
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I was in almost exactly the same position as you 5 months ago except i had no experience and was studying for my first ACCA exam.
I have passed my 1 st exam now by self home study, i did voluntary work with an accountant for experience and now am in an accounts based role with a good company. I am continually studying and learning.
I have sent over 500 letters and email to companies ranging from small to enormous.
i have been laughed at, ignored and even worse than that. BUT!!!!
i perservered and kept going studying and knew that eventually my hard work and determination would get me in somewhere and finally it has.
Do not give up and don't let people tell you what you can't do!

Walk into places, write letters, email post on forums scour the newspapers and internet.
Be personal in your responses and aim to provide something the other person cannot.

I wish you all the luck and just keep going.
 
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Well done Elaine

that is something i noticed as well in the original post.

i word of advice to segexvent....
the people that really gave me my break have all been women!!!

but that may be because i'm sooo god damn handsome.
 
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5up3rman said:
the people that really gave me my break have all been women!!!
Click to expand...

would that be an arm or leg? :)

Seriously though this is the 21st century. No playing the whole feminist card and all but really the 'Dear Sirs' thing is so last century :eek::p
 
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elainec100 said:
Seriously though this is the 21st century. No playing the whole feminist card and all but really the 'Dear Sirs' thing is so last century :eek::p
Click to expand...

My understanding was that "Dear Sirs" was an appropriately PC, gender neutral form of address these days?

I don't think the OP (who's first language does not appear to be English) meant their post to apply exclusively.
 
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Dear ma's' and sir(s).

I wondered why no one made a coment and there was 90views! reason for the '?????'
I am really, inspired by some of the coments, thanks.
 
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segexvent said:
Dear ma's' and sir(s).

I wondered why no one made a coment and there was 90views! reason for the '?????'
I am really, inspired by some of the coments, thanks.
Click to expand...

Just for info it is generally:

Dear Sir or Madam
 
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I believe that Dear Sirs is an appropriate way to refer to a body of people of mixed sex.

In fact, our corporate engagement letters, addressed to "The Directors" then commence Dear Sirs even when the client company has a female sole-director and nobody has ever complained!
 
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Jaydee said:
I believe that Dear Sirs is an appropriate way to refer to a body of people of mixed sex.

In fact, our corporate engagement letters, addressed to "The Directors" then commence Dear Sirs even when the client company has a female sole-director and nobody has ever complained!
Click to expand...

Aha, I knew I was not a sexist dinosaur...
 
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I hate all this gender nonsense and I am a woman. Never know how to address a letter these days. People sign Yours sincerely Jo Soap - is it Mr, Mrs, Miss or the dreaded Ms. Gone are the days when they put their "title" after their name to make it easier to distinguish and address a reply correctly.

Gumpy old woman
 
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ok guys i think we're moving away from the original topic.

Just keep trying and don't let your inexperience or language barriers stop you.

I always addressed my emails and letters
Dear Sir/Madam

Best of luck
 
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Jaydee said:
I believe that Dear Sirs is an appropriate way to refer to a body of people of mixed sex.
Click to expand...

You believe ....

But where is the acceptable etiquette for this manner of address?

Can you point me at where is is documented that this is socially acceptable - as I have said many time before. I am always happy to learn :)

But I do need to see some sort of evidence rather than I believe.

Thanks guys but as a:

Bachelor of Science
Fellow Chartered Accountant
Master of Science

Is it too much to be called a Lady :D;)
 
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Upvote 0
I found this:

If the name of the intended recipient is unknown, "Dear Sir/Madam", "Dear Madam/Sir", "Dear Sir or Madam", "Dear Madam or Sir" or "Dear Sirs" is often used, though the latter is archaic.

Here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salutation_(greeting)

Zeno - what was it you called yourself :D:D:D:D:D
 
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In my defence, I have always found that while men usually enjoy being addressed as "Sir", most women cannot stand to be called "Madam".
 
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Ma'am as used on the police seems to work well.

I'm struggling to think of scenarios where I have worked with a woman (line manager or client) who has been of sufficient seniority to warrant being called an equivalent to "Sir"..... this is a genuine serious comment by the way, not intended to be sexist rubbish. About the only circumstance I can recall was when I met the Lord Mayor of Leeds (who is a lady, and yes "Lord Mayor" was this lady's correct title).

Actually, thinking about some women I have worked with in the past, I wouldn't blame anyone who used "Dear Sir" tbh.
 
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