Career Advice for an Accounting Analyst

An Accounting Analyst works with financial professionals in a business’s accounting department. You will work with detailed financial reports, project losses and profits, and collaborate and report to high-level decision makers.

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How to Become an Accounting Analyst

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 become an Accounting Analyst

Should you wish to work as an Accounting Analyst 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 Analyst

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Statistics, or Business Administration.
  • Microsoft Office and accounting software proficiency.
  • Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Certification.

Key Responsibilities for an Accounting Analyst

  • Examine quarterly and annual financial reports.
  • Preparing tax returns and calculating tax payments.
  • Creating profit, loss, expense, and taxation financial statements.
  • Assessing the accounting department’s financial and operational performance.
  • Maintaining and organising the financial records of clients.
  • Ensuring efficient reporting and inspecting accounting records and books.

What to expect as an Accounting Analyst

Working as an Accounting Analyst, you will perform a wide variety of business, accounting, and administrative tasks. When you become an Accounting Analyst, you will ensure accuracy and compliance and prepare financial reports such as cash flow statements, balance sheets, income statements, and capital statements. Crucial skills include communication, analytical thinking, and accuracy.

Recommended Accounting Analyst Jobs

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How to get Accounting Analyst Jobs

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

Preparation

This occurs before you write a CV cover letter or complete an Accounting Analyst application. If you have not held an Accounting Analyst 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 Analyst 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 Analyst CV, cover letter, and application. You should personalise each Accounting Analyst 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 Analyst 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 Analyst 

As with all professions, choose your study topics carefully. Review the qualifications needed to be an Accounting Analyst 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 Analyst experience.

How to get Accounting Analyst Experience

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

How to be an Accounting Analyst Part-Time 

If you are wondering how to get into Accounting Analyst part-time, there are several possibilities. You might find a new employer looking for a part-time Accounting Analyst 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 Analyst freelance work

If you have impressive Accounting Analyst 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.