Continuing education, further training for the accounting clerk exam: Kevin Liechti's experience - with the clerk training you can lay the foundation for a job in accounting
Please introduce yourself briefly and tell us about yourself.
My name is Kevin Liechti. I am 33 years old and currently work as an accountant. I originally trained as a plumber. Right at the beginning of my apprenticeship, I realized that I didn't always want to do that. I was distracted by other things at school and wanted to be a motorcycle racer. After my apprenticeship, I went to business school and then completed continuing education, further training in technical business management. After that, I completed the CHE in business administration. I realized that accounting is actually what I like the most. That's why I started a continuing education, further training in accounting seven years later.
What kind of continuing education, further training are you currently doing and where?
I am currently completing continuing education, further training to become an accounting clerk at the Minerva School. After that, I would like to become an accounting finance specialist and an expert in accounting and controlling.
Was the switch to accounting easy for you?
You have to fight to get from construction to accounting. This was not an easy path for me. It's almost impossible to switch to the commercial sector without continuing education, further training.
And how did you manage it?
I made the step into accounting by starting again as an accounting clerk, despite all the continuing education, further training I had completed. I think this was confirmation for employers that I was serious and wanted to do it. Thanks to the start of this continuing education, further training in accounting, I was able to get a job as an accountant, which I had previously tried to do in vain. Now I take care of all the bookkeeping - but the accounts are done by a trustee.
What motivated you to take the continuing education, further training to become an accounting clerk?
Plan B motivated me to do the continuing education, further training for the accounting clerk exam. Plan A was to be a motorcycle rider on the race track. But that's relatively difficult in Switzerland. Especially without a lot of personal finances. The career in accounting came about because of my strengths in my previous continuing education, further training. I realized there that accounting suits me well and that I really like it.
What convinced you about Minerva?
Minerva is very well known for its technical business management course and that's why I did it there. That's how I ended up at the Minerva school. And because I know the principal, Mr. Koch, well, I also decided to train as a clerk at this school. I feel comfortable here. It's not such a big school, it's very informal. The school is simple and well structured. This also gives me good advantages for the continuing education, further training in accounting.
How does continuing education, further training in accounting support you professionally?
The continuing education, further training in accounting provides me with a certain level of confidence in accounting topics. Many accounting topics were already covered in my previous continuing education, further training courses. However, I can now refresh these with the course. In addition, the continuing education, further training in accounting VSK offers a high level of practical relevance. I was able to apply a lot of things directly in everyday life. Especially in special cases in accounting that were not covered in other training courses.
How did you get your accounting clerk job?
I found the accounting clerk job during and thanks to this continuing education, further training. In that sense, the course also enabled me to get the new job. Before that, I usually got rejections because I was overqualified for the job.
What did you like best about continuing education, further training in accounting?
Financial accounting has been my favorite part of continuing education, further training in accounting. I liked social security and VAT less. The VAT topic is very complex and the time to deal with it is relatively limited in the training. The accounting clerk exam is on a par with the professional certificate in the areas of social insurance and VAT. However, there is no six-month preparation period. Therefore, more time is needed for this.
While other subjects were more of a refresher for me and required less study time.
How satisfied are you with the lecturers?
Mr. Koch - the principal of Minerva Baden - is a great lecturer who knows how to focus on the main subjects. He provides students with targeted support so that they have an easier time in the exam. This will make the accounting clerk exam easier for me.
Were you able to increase your market value with the accounting course?
The bookkeeping course, together with my professional experience, has certainly increased my market value in the field of bookkeeping. I am convinced of that. The accounting clerk course lays the foundation for a job in accounting.
Has the accounting clerk training also made you personally more satisfied?
Satisfaction brought me the confirmation that I could easily complete the accounting clerk training. This showed me that I had done the right thing. I have grown and become more confident. Of course, the accounting clerk job also contributes to my personal satisfaction.
Did you have a key moment during your continuing education, further training as an accounting clerk?
The key moment for me in the continuing education, further training for accounting clerks was social insurance. I had the feeling that I knew a lot about it. Once we had covered it, I realized that I didn't actually know anything about it.
How was the atmosphere in the class?
Our class was very good. The atmosphere was relaxed and pleasant. This pleasant atmosphere contributes to learning success.
Who would you recommend the accounting clerk apprenticeship to?
I recommend the VSK Accounting Clerk course to people who are looking to enter the world of accounting. Or those who already have one or two years' experience in this field. This course is the first step on the way to obtaining the specialist certificate.
