Pexels N Voitkevich 8927687

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. ​

Read article
Blog Img

​TOP SECRET SANTA GIFTS

Back to Blogs

It’s that time of the year – the annual office Secret Santa! Whether you look forward to the popular event with joy or fear, choosing the ideal gift – on a strict budget - for the person you pull out of the hat can be tricky. We asked our team of consultants to tell us their perfect present ideas. And remember, if you are organising or taking part in a workplace Secret Santa this year, please check the latest guidelines ensure its COVID-safe.

Karen Pitchforth

I love an office gadget and I’m a bit of a neat freak; something like a funky cable tidy or desktop vacuum would be ideal for me to keep my workspace in tip top condition.

Alex Law

A mug is always a smart choice. It can be funny, stylish, colourful or personalised. Perfect for knowing which mug is yours when it comes to the office tea round!

Liam O'Flaherty

Some people might think this is a bit of a cop out, but I tend to buy a nice bottle of wine – it’s what I would like to receive! It’s worth making sure that you don’t offend anyone though by checking that they enjoy a glass or two beforehand – especially you’ve picked out someone from a different team that you don’t know so well.

Stuart Douglass

If you are lucky to have drawn someone that you know quite well or sit near to, try and pick up hints on what they enjoy doing outside of work to give you inspiration. One year, a colleague had a weekend away planned so I gave them a guide book of their destination.

Lee Sweeney

I try and avoid anything that’s too gimmicky and unless you are sure of a person’s sense of humour, it’s best not to get anything where the joke may backfire! That said, I tend to try and get something with a festive twist like an after dinner game which can be played with friends or family.

Sarah-Jane Keay

You can’t go wrong with chocolate! Who doesn’t like chocolate!

Jack Curtis

If I’m really struggling for ideas – which can be the case if you work in a large office and you don’t necessarily know the person you are buying for – my go-to option is a lottery ticket or scratchcard. You never know, someone might win the jackpot!

Charlotte Lupton

I tend to buy a food related gift such as festive fudge, some fancy biscuits or a special coffee blend – something that will feel like a bit of a treat.

Caitlin Davidson

One of the best gifts that I received – and one which I now give most often – is a plant or a mini grow your own garden set. A great way to brighten up someone’s desk and it lasts right through the year.

Liam Connolly

I try and get useful gifts so would opt for something like a personalised notebook for a nice change from the usual office stationary selection.

Philippa Groves

I like a bit of pampering so something like a nice, soothing hand cream - especially with all the sanitizer gel being used - would be my idea of the perfect Secret Santa gift this year.

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 US today to discuss your recruitment needs with a member of our team.