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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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From Practice to Industry: A Chartered Accountant’s Journey to Success

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Navigating the shift from professional practice to industry can be a daunting yet rewarding experience for accountants. In our latest interview, we sit down with Carter Christlo, an EMEA Financial Accounting & Reporting Controller at Insight, a Fortune 500 company specialising in business-to-business IT solutions.

With an impressive background as an ACA chartered accountant, Carter began his accounting career at KPMG before moving to Insight Direct, where he achieved his qualification. His unique perspective on transitioning from professional practice to industry offers invaluable insights for both aspiring and seasoned accountants.

In this comprehensive interview, conducted by our Senior Business Manager, Jack Curtis, we explore Carter's remarkable career journey, his strategic approach to personal and professional growth, and his practical advice for accountants aiming to make a similar transition.

Whether you are an aspiring accountant, an industry transition seeker, or a finance professional, this interview promises valuable insights to help you thrive in your career.

How did you find the transition into industry from professional practice whilst part-qualified?

Tough but incredibly rewarding. The transition from professional practice into industry is never easy, amplified by doing so when being part qualified. Becoming qualified was always an immediate priority but ultimately, I knew that I wanted to move into an environment where I could make a difference and add significant value, but also remain with a well-regarded and highly successful business.

What advice would you give to students completing ACA in industry?

Studying within professional practice has a lot of structure coupled with training alongside numerous peers going through similar exams / experiences. This was a stark difference when studying my ACA in industry, meaning I needed that motivation and commitment to complete. I sought out other avenues of learning off my own back as it suited my learning style, so the advice is certainly to find a learning method and adapt to a style best suited to you.

What main skillset has industry developed when compared to professional practice?

I have utilised all elements / skills from my time in Audit to take ownership on more projects, to which I am still learning and developing…that never stops! The question always remains…’Are you busy or are you Audit busy…? Which is an apt question in my opinion! Working in professional practice has given me the immediate focus and ability to successfully complete multiple, complex tasks at once, both from a technical and personal perspective. The softer skillset I have developed, when meeting a variety of high-profile clients and stakeholders has stood me in good stead when addressing senior stakeholders now - both internally and externally.

Originating in professional practice, do you think it’s given you a good grounding in being successful in industry?

In one word…absolutely! The exposure you receive from an Audit perspective is unparalleled (in my opinion) and has facilitated the success that I am experiencing now with Insight. Originating in professional practice gives a perspective that other sectors / industries wouldn’t do, especially to a variety of businesses via the rotations. My technical accounting ability gave me an immediate boost when I made the move originally due to the work I had been involved in prior. It has given a stable base where I can now continue my development down whichever avenue I see fit alongside the competency to do so. 

What factors did you consider when choosing a company to join?

Could they offer long term growth…and the personal fit were dealbreakers for me. Ultimately, I felt confident from a technical point of view so I knew I needed the right environment and company to ensure firstly I completed my qualification but equally could see further development in years to come. Inevitably things can change, but Insight have not only continued to support my technical development but personal growth too. I have had the pleasure of working for two businesses who put a genuine value on both those points.

Any other advice to give when considering a new opportunity?

My one piece of main advice would be to always remain brave. As Accountants we are built to mitigate risk, but this can potentially hold you back in your career, sometimes without realising at first. Remain goal orientated and ensure that those goals are being constantly reevaluated and measured against. Everyone’s journey is different, and you can never directly compare to anyone else, be brave to make those decisions and act on them when the time comes. At times growth will always feel like a risk and unnatural but remain confident in yourself and your ability whilst valuing the company you choose to work for not just the role / job that is on offer. Change is inevitable, embrace it don’t obstruct it. 

In conclusion, Carter's journey from professional practice to industry serves as a compelling blueprint for any accountant aiming to navigate a similar path. His candid reflections on the challenges he faced and the strategies he employed offer invaluable lessons for aspiring finance professionals. By leveraging the skills and experiences gained in professional practice, combined with a proactive approach to industry, Carter demonstrates that success is attainable with the right mindset and determination. As you consider your career trajectory, let Carter's story inspire you to seize new opportunities and continuously strive for personal and professional excellence.

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Note: If Carter's insights resonate with you and you are contemplating your next career move, our Sharp Consultancy experts are ready to guide you. Book a consultation to begin your journey towards achieving your career goals.

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.