Top tips from an accountant who swapped teaching for a career in finance

Craig Dyer MAAT AATQB worked for 15 years in secondary school education before becoming an accountant. He reveals his top tips and how his transferable skills helped him switch careers and launch his own practice.

At 37, Craig Dyer had a demanding role as an assistant headteacher at a secondary school, overseeing 30 members of staff and 600 children, and regularly working 60 to 70-hour weeks. He is now managing director and lead accountant of CA Dyer Accounts & Bookkeeping.

“I was teaching three different subjects at GCSE with all the pressure involved in that,” he explains. “By the time our second child came along, I found I could not sustain the responsibility and long hours and have a family life as well.

“I always thought I would be a teacher forever because I loved the job and I found working with the kids so rewarding. However, the pressure built up and, in June, after the school exam period, I ended up being admitted to hospital with heart problems brought on by stress and anxiety. I left teaching for good at the end of the autumn term.”

Dyer had reached AAT Level 3 when he was a school leaver and had considered becoming an accountant at 18, but his boss at the local practice in Cornwall told him to broaden his horizons and go to university.

Making study time effective

When he decided to retrain after leaving teaching, Dyer needed to be disciplined about the time he spent studying, so he drew on his extensive experience as an educator to create a personalised study plan.

“I treated it like I was a teacher sitting down and having a new course and planning a long scheme of work,” he says. “I planned it out and applied it one chapter at a time.”

This strategic approach meant he made good progress through the modules, which was important to him as he was living on his savings.

“I decided to self-study at home, rather than signing up for an online course, because I wanted to progress at my own pace and not have to wait for a time to be able to take an exam,” he says.

Craig’s top five tips for career changers

1. Do your research
Be as informed as you can. Spend as much time as possible talking to people, reading articles and taking advice from others.

2. Take your time
When you are making a big life decision, you don’t want to rush it. Make sure you have structured a plan, especially if you are going to start your accounting practice from scratch.

3. Be aware of time restrictions
If you have a young family, your time is going to be more squeezed, so work out how you are going to fit in your studies.

4. Find a mentor
Having a coach, or even just someone you can bounce ideas off, will help you think about strategy and keep things in perspective.

5. Build a community
Create a network of peers in different industries with whom you can share experiences and advice.

Building a thriving accountancy practice

When he decided to retrain after leaving teaching, Dyer needed to be disciplined about the time he spent studying, so he drew on his extensive experience as an educator to create a personalised study plan.

“I treated it like I was a teacher sitting down and having a new course and planning a long scheme of work,” he says. “I planned it out and applied it one chapter at a time.”

This strategic approach meant he made good progress through the modules, which was important to him as he was living on his savings.

“I decided to self-study at home, rather than signing up for an online course, because I wanted to progress at my own pace and not have to wait for a time to be able to take an exam,” he says.

Reaping the rewards

Going from a secure, salaried job to becoming an entrepreneur was not without its challenges, however. Dyer admits feeling “daunted” by the prospect of starting from scratch. Becoming self-employed just before the Covid-19 lockdown added an extra layer of pressure, as he had to balance his studies with the demands of caring for his young children.

Despite the initial hurdles, Dyer has found immense satisfaction in running his own practice and has recruited a small team of staff who are all actively involved in growing the business.

“Being able to run and organise a business in line with my lifestyle and vision is really rewarding,” he says.

The business has grown steadily, thanks to Dyer’s focus on building long-lasting relationships with his clients and fostering a collaborative and open culture within his team.

Further reading

Balancing ambition podcasts: finding success without a straight line | Ep. 1

Do you have a squiggly career? See what skills you’ve picked up on the way

Career planning: Explore what you want from your ideal role

AAT Comment offers news and opinion on the world of business and finance from the Association of Accounting Technicians.