MAKING A SUCCESS OF MANAGING YOUR TEAM REMOTELY

Trainee Accountant to Senior: How to Progress in Practice (Quickly!)

Throughout my career as a specialist recruiter in professional practice, I’ve had the privilege of working with many talented, ambitious accountants, and some have progressed faster than others. While every journey is unique, there are clear patterns in what helps people move from trainee roles into more senior finance jobs within professional practice. Drawing from this experience, I’ve put together a set of strategies any accountant can adopt to accelerate their career up the professional practice ladder. These tactics have proven to be highly effective for those aiming to achieve their professional goals efficiently and successfully. Embrace Increasing ResponsibilityAs you begin your career in accountancy, the scope of your duties often starts with basic tasks such as data entry, reconciling accounts, and preparing reports. While these tasks are important for building a foundation, taking on more responsibility is key to developing the skills and experience needed for progression in practice.Start by volunteering for more complex tasks that stretch your skillset, such as handling larger client accounts, managing financial forecasting, or (if possible) participating in audits. These challenges will expose you to new aspects of accountancy and allow you to learn beyond the day-to-day duties. Another way to progress quickly is by taking on leadership roles within a team or department. Taking on the responsibility of overseeing junior staff, delegating tasks, and ensuring deadlines are met can significantly enhance your development and provide you with the invaluable ‘management experience’ which is essential for trainee accountants looking to advance to the next step in their professional practice careers. Continuous Learning and Self-DevelopmentAs you challenge yourself with new responsibilities, actively pursuing knowledge and development goes hand in hand with completing further qualifications. Traditionally, most accountants I work with are newly or nearly AAT qualified which is a fantastic accomplishment in itself but for those with aspirations of climbing the ladder the next step should be further studies. Qualifications such as the ACA, ACCA or CTA (depending on your chosen specialism) will allow you to strengthen your technical expertise. It’s worth mentioning here that a good training contract and mentor are invaluable for the next step in your journey and should be a big factor when deciding to look for a new role after completing your AAT. Finding a Mentor Another important aspect of progressing quickly in accountancy is developing relationships with more experienced colleagues, supervisors, and managers. By seeking mentorship from more experienced professionals, you can gain insights into how they managed their career progression. Also, they can guide you in taking on appropriate challenges and responsibilities and help you navigate the complexities of the profession. Many of the most successful finance professionals credit their career growth to strong mentorship relationships established early in their journey. NetworkingNetworking is one of the most underutilised tools for career progression in finance. While it might feel intimidating at first, networking allows you to connect with and learn from likeminded individuals, stay informed about trends in professional practice, and discover new opportunities. One of the primary reasons networking is important is that it helps build valuable relationships that can last your career. By connecting with colleagues, senior professionals, and other stakeholders, you gain access to a wealth of knowledge, insights, and opportunities that can propel your career forward. Ultimately, networking is not just about what you can gain but also about what you can offer to others. By fostering meaningful relationships, you contribute to a collaborative and supportive community that benefits everyone involved. Here at Sharp Consultancy, we host events across the year and have a long-standing relationship with various institutions and training groups including S&DCASS (Sheffield and District Chartered Accountants Student Society), LCASS (Leeds Chartered Accountants Students Society) and First Intuition to host events that bring studiers together from various firms throughout Yorkshire. It really is a brilliant first step in your networking journey. Whether you're just starting out or already on your way up, accelerating your career in professional practice comes down to a mix of mindset, opportunity, and action. By embracing responsibility, committing to continuous learning, building genuine relationships, and tapping into the right support networks, you’ll put yourself in the best possible position to thrive. If you’d like to explore how to take that next step—or just want to chat through your options—I’d love to hear from you. Let’s connect and start shaping your future together. Charlie Marper, Business Manager, charliemarper@sharpconsultancy.com – 0114 261 1700 Looking for your next career move in finance or accountancy? At Sharp Consultancy, our expertise lies in matching your potential with the perfect temporary, interim, or permanent position. With a well-established presence in Leeds and Sheffield, our seasoned team of consultants extends their services across Yorkshire and beyond. Don't wait for opportunity to knock, reach out to us TODAYand let's chart your career path together.

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Communicate, Communicate, Communicate

Your team won’t be able to pick up on the verbal and non-verbal cues that help you – and them – judge the status of certain projects. In remote finance or accountancy roles, this is especially important. Encourage and initiate regular communication and one-to-one calls so there is agreement about what the key priorities are for the day.

Arrange Regular Team Briefings and Catch-Up Calls

Ensure regular briefings take place by arranging one-to-one calls and conducting team meetings via Microsoft Teams, Zoom or Google Meet Hangouts. In the recruitment industry and finance sector alike, using available technology effectively is key. Make sure your team can access and understand the digital resources that have been put in place. Encourage feedback from your team – which leads nicely into the next tip.

Be Realistic in Your Expectations

Appreciate that it might not be possible for someone to work to their usual pattern throughout the week. Employees in accountancy or finance jobs with children may be facing additional pressures on their time. Ask what is feasible and, where reasonable, be flexible in how they are structuring their working times.

Focus on Outcomes

Shift your focus to agreeing on the outcomes that are expected for each person, rather than concentrating on ‘working hours’ or the time taken to complete particular tasks. In recruitment roles, this might mean setting targets for candidate outreach or client engagement. Agree on suitable deadlines and be clear on your expectations about how and when you need to be updated.

Trust Your Team

It is unlikely that every person will currently be able to undertake all aspects of their role in the same way. Place your trust in them – whether they’re in accountancy, finance, or recruitment roles – that they are aware of what needs to be done. Working parents may need to adjust their day to incorporate schoolwork and childcare, which could see tasks being undertaken earlier in the morning or later in the evening than usual.

Employee Wellbeing is Vital

Working from home can be tough, and the sense of loneliness and isolation can be especially challenging. Many people in accountancy and finance jobs may be experiencing their own stresses and concerns relating to their families or financial situation. Encourage your team to be open and honest about any circumstances which could impact on their work.

Conclusion: Support Drives Success

The world of work continues to evolve, especially across the finance, accountancy, and recruitment sectors. By fostering strong communication, setting realistic expectations, and focusing on outcomes, you can build trust and resilience in your team. Above all, prioritising wellbeing will help maintain motivation and productivity, no matter where your team is based. With the right strategies in place, remote working can be a powerful and sustainable model for long-term success.

Looking for your next career move in finance or accountancy? At Sharp Consultancy, our expertise lies in matching your potential with the perfect temporary, interim, or permanent position. With a well-established presence in Leeds and Sheffield, our seasoned team of consultants extends their services across Yorkshire and beyond. Don't wait for opportunity to knock, reach out to us TODAYand let's chart your career path together.