If you have a passion for organisation and numbers, and you don’t mind putting in plenty of hard work, a career in accountancy could be for you. Work in this field can be rewarding and challenging, and it is often highly paid. However, rising up the ranks is not always easy, so if you’re to succeed, you’ll need to be determined. It also helps to have a plan, and this brief guide covers the basics if you want to kick start your career.
Get the right qualifications
To work as an accountant, you’ll need to get the relevant qualifications. As a general rule, it takes three years of study on top of having a degree, which can be in any subject. You will also need to sit a series of exams and gain experience through your employment. This can all seem a little overwhelming at first, but bear in mind that if your work and exam results impress, you may find you benefit from fast promotions.
For work in the private and public sectors, qualifications from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) tend to be the most relevant. ACCA accounting qualifications can provide you with the skills to complete a range of tasks, such as audit financial records, manage accounting systems, prepare financial statements and advise clients on tax and other financial issues.
Before you commit to a particular qualification though, it’s important to research your options carefully so that you know exactly which route you need to take.
Seek out mentors
Once you’ve succeeded in breaking into the profession, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Lots of people find it tough to forge their paths in this competitive field, and things can be especially hard for working mums. To help you cope with the pressures, and to enable you to identify opportunities to progress, it helps to seek out mentors who can offer you useful advice, insights and support. You might be surprised by how much of a difference a little outside input can have on your ability and desire to advance your career. Bear in mind that help can come from both women and men, and from people of any age or accounting specialty.
Persevere
If you’re balancing your career with responsibilities at home, getting ahead in your accounting career can be tough. This means that if you’re to make it, you’ll need to persevere. In other words, don’t expect everything to happen overnight. Instead, be prepared to work hard and keep focused on the end results as you pursue your goal.
By making sure you get all the qualifications you need and by seeking out help and support along the way, you can boost your chances of rising through the ranks and landing the top accountancy jobs.
