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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 Responsibility​As 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-Development​As 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. ​Networking​Networking 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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Avoid These 5 Common Interview Mistakes to Land Your Next Finance Role

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Interviewing for a new job in finance or accountancy can be a nerve-wracking experience. Whether you’re stepping into a Finance Manager role or progressing towards a Financial Director position, many candidates fall at the final hurdle by making avoidable interview mistakes.

At Sharp Consultancy, we specialise in placing finance and accountancy professionals in temporary, interim and permanent positions across Yorkshire and the North of England. Read our expert advice to help you avoid the most common pitfalls and give yourself the best chance of success.

A man interviewing a woman at a table, both focused on a laptop during a job interview.

1. Not Researching Your Potential Employer

“What do you know about our organisation?”

It’s one of the most common interview questions—and one that catches far too many candidates out. Thorough preparation is key.

Before your interview, take time to research your prospective employer using:

  • Their company website

  • Annual reports

  • Recent news articles

  • Social media platforms

Having a strong understanding of the company’s background, values and latest developments allows you to demonstrate genuine interest and tailor your answers. It also helps you compile thoughtful questions to ask at the end of the interview—something that always impresses.

2. Not Understanding the Role You’re Applying For

When applying for a role in finance—whether it’s an Assistant Accountant, Financial Controller, or CFO—it’s crucial that you clearly understand the job description.

Discuss the role in detail with your Sharp Consultancy recruitment consultant, who will help you explore:

  • Key responsibilities

  • Departmental structure

  • Reporting lines

  • Expectations from the hiring manager

Link your relevant skills, qualifications, and experience to what the interviewer is looking for. If anything remains unclear, don’t be afraid to ask for clarification before the interview or during the meeting itself.

3. Focusing Too Much on Your Weaknesses

Everyone has areas for development. If there are parts of the job where you have limited experience, remember: the employer has already seen your CV and chosen to meet with you.

Rather than dwelling on what you can’t do:

Highlight transferable skills

Reference similar projects you’ve been involved in

Demonstrate your willingness to learn and grow

Keep your answers positive, confident and constructive.

4. Letting Nerves Get the Better of You

It’s completely natural to feel nervous, even if you’re an experienced finance professional or senior executive.

Minimise anxiety by preparing thoroughly:

  • Review your CV and career achievements

  • Practice common finance interview questions

  • Research the company and the hiring manager

Remind yourself of the value you bring, and frame the interview as an exciting opportunity to showcase your skills and progress your career.

5. Not Taking a Moment Before You Speak

In an effort to impress, some candidates answer questions too quickly, without fully understanding what’s being asked.

To avoid this:

Listen carefully to each question

Pause briefly before answering

Ask for clarification if needed

This shows composure, professionalism and good communication skills—all vital traits in a successful finance professional.

Partner with Sharp Consultancy for Finance & Accountancy Recruitment Success

At Sharp Consultancy, we’ve been helping talented professionals find the right opportunities for over 30 years. Whether you're an ambitious Part-Qualified Accountant or an experienced CFO, our expert consultants are here to support your next career move.

With offices in Leeds and Sheffield, we recruit across Yorkshire and the North of England for a wide range of roles including:

  • Finance Directors & CFOs

  • Financial Controllers

  • Management Accountants

  • Credit Control & Payroll Specialists

  • Newly Qualified and Part-Qualified Accountants

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 TODAY and let's chart your career path together.