Charley EnemakuRelease Train Engineer / Scrum Master / Project Delivery Manager| Ecotek Global Consulting LtdOxfordshire, England, United Kingdom
Career change from i.e, Accounting & Finance to Project Management has been a challenge for some especially if they do not posses PM skills of more that one year, what advice and information can your give to someone so enthusiastic about making this change to PM? Is a qualification in PM needed for the change to be possible? Saving Changes...
Daniela BianchiIT Services Analyst| MAN Latin AmericaSão Bernardo Do Campo, São Paulo, Brazil
Hi Omoathekua,
My opinion is that if you don't have any experience in Project Management is very difficult to make this change. The qualification will help you a lot at this moment so you will need to practice this in the real world. I don't think that the time is the more important thing but the projects that you are involve and the opportunities you have to manage and contribute with your skills. You will see that when you enter in the "Project World" you will always improve your skills and projects. Saving Changes...
Charley EnemakuRelease Train Engineer / Scrum Master / Project Delivery Manager| Ecotek Global Consulting LtdOxfordshire, England, United Kingdom
Thank you so very much Daniela. As it is I work full time as an accountant and work part-time on a project in a tech company to gain such experience. I am also working towards my CAPM to give me a head start as I do not have the experience to sit for the PMP. Saving Changes...
Kristin JonesSocial Media Specialist III| PMINewtown Square, Pa, United States
Hi Omoathekua!
It sounds like you are already building the foundation for a transition into a career in project management. I would definitely encourage you to become more active on your project teams and document all of your activities. Continue to get involved on projects where you can so that you can build your 'real life experience'.
At the same time, obtaining your CAPM should help solidify your knowledge in project management and help facilitate a job change. If you are a PMI member, I would recommend the on demand webinars that you can find on this site. There are over 1,000 to choose from and they are very informative. Check out the Webinars tab to find them.
Good luck! Saving Changes...
Charley EnemakuRelease Train Engineer / Scrum Master / Project Delivery Manager| Ecotek Global Consulting LtdOxfordshire, England, United Kingdom
Thanks for that Kristin. I sure will watch as much webinars as i can as i am a PMI member. I am really keen on getting into PM career so i am currently studying for my CAPM as you have adviced. I will definitely keep working on my self and building my CV. Thanks for the input. Saving Changes...
Marti DerowProduct Services Manager| Hewlett Packard EnterpriseFort Myers, Fl, United States
You've probably already realized that your experience as an accountant is very applicable/leverageable to a career as a project manager. Consider taking an hour to review the type of work you're managing as an accountant and how you can projectize the work and document it as experience as a project manager. Also consider if a career as a project manager with a specialty in accounting systems/processes or the industry would be of interest to you. Good-luck! I'm certain if you stay focused and committed, you will achieve your goals. It's hard work but the return on the effort is rewarding. Saving Changes...
Charley EnemakuRelease Train Engineer / Scrum Master / Project Delivery Manager| Ecotek Global Consulting LtdOxfordshire, England, United Kingdom
Excellent Martha. Thanks. I would sure review & document my present work and consider Project Management in the Accounting sector which i already have experience in, ranging from budgeting, planning & forecasting financial status of clients. Thanks for the good-luck as that is all i need along side staying focused on my goal. Saving Changes...
HEMAM RANJIT KUMAR SINGHFounder & Director| TechSure Global Consultancy LLPGuwahati, Assam, India
hi Omoathekua ,
You have already taken up a great initiative. Wish you Good Luck !!!
Thanks and best regards,
Ranjit Saving Changes...
Ashish GuptaBusiness Analyst| Twa Panel Systems, Inc.Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
hi Omoathekua ,
You might have actually been working on projects in your accounting work. You may need to access your number of hours for such projects, it could be a minor change in an existing accounting template, which can be a project. So you may be interested in putting those small projects in your CAPM Application
I wish you all the best for CAPM.
Thanks
Ashish Saving Changes...
Kimberly MontesSenior Project Manager & Consultant| RetiredRichmond, Tx, United States
Hi Omoathekua,
Good luck with your career reinvention!
One way to get the necessary project management experience would be to volunteer. Non-profit organizations are always looking for people with finance and accounting skills. Managing the finances for a project such as an annual conference would be great project experience - and much appreciated by the organization. Saving Changes...
As most of the experts have already suggested. You are already handling, managing and dealing with temporary endeavours resulting in creation of deliverables which are unique in nature. I can bet a lot of your accounting experience will count towards project management. To firmally learn it you can take some structured training and gain some dedicated project experience, maybe in your existing field of accounting. I am sure you will me a master in a while. Saving Changes...
