Q & A FOR EMPLOYERS

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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For many, it’s not ‘business as usual’ but more ‘business in unusual times’. These are some of the most commonly asked recruitment questions from employers across Yorkshire to our highly experienced team of consultants.

I’m concerned about staffing levels – what can I do if people take time off because they are sick or have to care for others?

It is essential to make provisions for absenteeism and temporary or interim staff are an ideal solution. Specialising in a range of roles and at all levels from admin support to senior managers and directors, these are experienced individuals who can hit the ground the running at short notice.

I need temporary staff but I don’t have time to conduct interviews – what should I do?

We have an extensive network of temporary finance and accountancy professionals, all of whom have been previously interviewed and background checked by our experienced consultants so the right individuals can be in place typically within 24 hours of a need being identified.

We are seeing increased demand and need a new finance manager – are people looking for roles?

Very much so. There are sectors such as food retail and production, logistics and distribution, healthcare, online education providers, pharmaceuticals and IT suppliers and infrastructure where demand has increased and, as a result, need to expand their teams. Through our extensive database we can reach out to the very best talent and identify the top candidates for your recruitment needs.

Can I recruit a temp and make the position permanent when things return to normal?

It is important to be clear on the terms from the outset to ensure the right candidate is identified; it is not unusual for a role to become permanent, however some temps may not want a permanent position. Discuss this with your recruitment partner and they will identify ideal candidates.

How can I conduct interviews remotely?

With many people working from home, it can be easier to schedule interviews remotely. Platforms such as Zoom can replicate face-to-face meetings as closely as possible. Take a look at our advice on how to conduct a successful remote interview here

I have a new member of staff due to start – what should I do during lockdown?

Try to replicate your usual induction process albeit remotely. Provide induction packs online or via email, conduct a virtual tour and schedule introduction meetings via Zoom or Google Meet. Communicate your expectations for their first week and establish a routine for updates and progress checks. For more suggestions take a look here

Sharp Consultancy specialises in the recruitment of temporary, interim and permanent finance professionals. With offices in Leeds and Sheffield our highly experienced team of consultants recruit for positions throughout Yorkshire and beyond CONTACT UStoday to discuss your recruitment needs with a member of our team.