Accounting

Love it when a plan comes together... a few months ago, in a performance review discussion with my boss, we plotted a succession plan for my position. I offered to split my hours in a job share arrangement and my boss agreed. We set a timeframe, and we recruited and my new job share partner started in early October, just a few weeks outside the original target date. Which I find kind of impressive, knowing how these things sometimes drag out.

So now I'm working three days a week (because management kindly agreed not only to the job share arrangement, but also to slightly increasing the hours for my position) which makes room for other things, like study. And now that the crazy time of year is over - end of year financial audit, annual general meeting, not to mention negotiation of new enterprise agreement - I am free to pursue my new study goals.

It has been nearly five years since I took on my current finance role, which has grown almost as much as I have. I've completed two work-related Cert IV courses and it is time now to upgrade to a Diploma.

Have looked at a couple of the delivery options. Thought of doing the whole thing from scratch (with a few credits from my Cert IV), but have decided to explore the RPL route. If I can get away with only having to complete a couple of gap subjects it will be worthwhile, particularly since it can be partially funded through Smart Skilling Queensland (frankly I'm amazed this funding is still available, given all the other cuts this year).

Forms have been sent off to TAFE, now waiting to hear back from an assessor. Fingers crossed.

Finished bookkeeping

Ok, ok.. it took a little longer than I anticipated, so many MYOB assignments! and I got sidetracked by things at work.. like audit, annual general meeting, and the draft enterprise bargaining agreement.. but I'm so happy to say right now, it's done it's done!

A deadly boring subject the last unit – occupational health and safety, my eyes glaze over just hearing the title. But yay I’ve finished! What a relief.

Bookkeeping update

Well it's July and things have been busy at work so I'm still finishing this off.. although there is not much to go - two MYOB assignments and then the boring WPH & S unit (I'm thinking I should have got it over with earlier on). Aiming for the end of this month and I'm on track so far.

Looking ahead, I was successful in getting into the Cert IV Human Resources through a government sponsored apprenticeship scheme, supervised through my place of employement which I'm really happy about because it is not costing me or my employer anything (apart from tax dollars). I've got my first units which I've started looking at, meeting with trainer early next month.

Nearly finished bookkeeping

Aiming to get this completed by Jun 2010, with a bit of luck I'll finish ahead of schedule. Have continued to get straight HDs, I suspect the marking is pretty easy, the comments from tutor always seem to follow a set formula!

Only four units left:

1. 20980A Develop & implement policies & practices
2. 20985A Deliver professional service/resolve disputes
3. 21110B MYOB 18
4. and 21115A Apply health and safety practices in the workplace

(I've left the boring-est for last).

What to do after June? not sure, maybe finish off my Internet Comms degree.. or perhaps a Certificate in Human Resources before finishing the degree.

Doing ok with the bookkeeping course

Straight HDs so far. The material a little basic, hoping to push through and get it finished soon. The stuff I've been doing at work is way ahead of this course, but I can't knock the quals and RPLs!

New direction

A halt in BA studies has occurred, due to my new job at the Hospice. I have taken over the role of Financial Support Coordinator and am in the process of formalising my bookkeeping knowledge with the Cert IV Financial Services (Bookkeeping) through CENGAGE. The role is a challenging one for me, and I hope to get through the course quickly to even out my many gaps in knowledge.

I will likely continue my degree course afterwards, although there may be some review of subject. Internet Studies has interested me greatly, but I have found the lack of career objectives to be a major hindrance to my motivation. I may switch to an Accounting or Business major, focusing on the community sector.