Accounting Career Advice

Working in an accounting role, you will handle important documents and provide the company with advice on increasing profits and reducing expenditures. You will need to be flexible and should expect to work extended hours to meet deadlines or at critical times, such as the run-up to the end-of-month and end-of-financial-year.

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How to Work in the Accounting sector

Choosing your career path and learning how to become the person you aspire to be is not always straight forward; getting a job in your chosen industry will take dedication, focus and the right qualifications.

When you have chosen the career path you wish to follow, you will need to learn how to get a job in Accounting

Should you wish to work in Accounting you will need to evaluate what courses are required, their cost and what qualifications you need. It is important that you also assess whether you have the right credentials from a personality point of view, what the demands of the job are and whether they complement the lifestyle that you desire.

Another factor to consider, should you wish to fulfil your career aspirations, is the number of jobs you will need to have to reach your ultimate job, and the length of time it will take to reach this goal.

Common Qualifications for an Accounting Job

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs, including maths and English
  • 2 or 3 A levels
  • Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping or Accounting
  • Level 3 Certificate in Financial Studies
  • Accountancy, finance, or business studies degree (depending on the position)

Core Accounting Skills

You should possess excellent numerical skills and have a passion for accuracy and attention to detail. Problem-solving and analytical thinking is a crucial skill, along with being proficient in working with complex data.

Accounting professionals are organised and able to work to strict deadlines. They are effective communicators of complex information, making this understandable to the audience, which could be an internal team, external customer, or board director.

If this sounds like you, then maybe it is time to kick-start a career in accountancy.

Key Responsibilities for an Accounting Job

  • Preparing accurate and up-to-date accounts
  • Making ledger and journal entries
  • Monitoring budgets and expenditure
  • Conducting audits and analysis of financial performance
  • Ensuring financial statements and records conform with regulations and the law
  • Presenting advice on increasing profits and reducing spending
  • Assisting with tax preparation
  • Using bookkeeping software and databases
  • Paying bills and collecting debts
  • Enforcing inventory and financial controls

What to expect in an Accounting Job

Accounting professionals act as a contact point between different departments, handling tasks such as bookkeeping and preparing financial reports, audits, and taxes. You will be required to collaborate with others, be analytical, and above all, trustworthy. You will also need to multitask effectively, carry out problem-solving, and be able to resolve discrepancies.

Recommended Accounting Jobs

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How to get Accounting Jobs

Our advice on how to get an Accounting job is to focus on preparation and personalisation.

Preparation

This occurs before you write a CV cover letter or complete an Accounting application. If you have not held an Accounting position before, it will help to research the industry and review what a typical career path might look like. If you have held an Accounting role, focus your research on the company where you are seeking employment.

Valuable resources that will help you learn about the employer include the company’s career page, social media page, blog, job ad, and job description. Helpful information will consist of the company’s mission statement, values, and vision. You could also use an employer review site to gain insights on average salaries, what current employees say about the company culture, and what it is like to work for the organisation.

Personalisation

You are now in a position to use what you have learned in your Accounting CV, cover letter, and application. You should personalise each Accounting application, cover letter, and CV; prioritising job skills and relevant experience and providing examples that show you have similar values and goals.

This pre-application stage is a crucial step in how to become an Accounting in the UK. It puts you in a superbly informed state, ready for forthcoming telephone, video, or in-person interviews.

Students: How to Become an Accounting 

As with all professions, choose your study topics carefully. Review the qualifications needed to be an Accounting and the subjects you will need to enrol in certification courses, higher education, or online courses. 

Aligning your study subjects

The more closely you align your study subjects with your career path, the more likely you will be to have projects and modules that you can refer to and show a prospective employer that you have practical or theoretical Accounting experience.

How to get Accounting Experience

What does it take to be an Accounting? The best way to find out is to get work experience, which will be invaluable when applying for Accounting jobs. You can learn how to be a successful Accounting through internships, apprenticeships, or volunteering for a local business.

How to be an Accounting Part-Time 

If you are wondering how to get into Accounting part-time, there are several possibilities. You might find a new employer looking for a part-time Accounting or find your existing employer is amenable. Often companies recognise the value of flexible hours and having more staff at work during busy times of the day. 

Accounting freelance work

If you have impressive Accounting qualifications and experience, you could take on the challenges of working freelance with control over your schedule.

Making a Career Change

How to start a career in this profession if you work in another industry may require studying for qualifications online and focusing on transferable skills when writing your CV and attending job interviews.