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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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Ariel view of Worksop College, a British co-educational private school for pupils aged 11 to 18, in Worksop.

Worksop College

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Exciting Opportunity in Finance at Worksop College

​Sharp Consultancy are delighted to be partnering with Worksop College to recruit for an exciting new position within their finance department, a Trainee Business Partner (see below for more details!).

A Unique Educational Community

Worksop College and Ranby House form a single, close-knit community across two schools, providing an exceptional education for children aged 2 to 18. As a broad-ability school, Worksop College places a strong emphasis on individual progress, recognising and nurturing the unique strengths and potential in every child — whether academic, sporting, creative, or otherwise.

An apple, colorful pencils, and ABC blocks arranged on a table in a private school setting.

An Inspiring Setting for Learning

Set in over 330 acres of stunning North Nottinghamshire woodland, Worksop College and Ranby House enjoy a sprawling campus with some of the best facilities in the county. This beautiful environment enhances every aspect of school life, supporting learning, wellbeing, and personal growth.

Well-Connected Location

Located on the border with the National Trust’s Clumber Park, Worksop College are just 15 minutes from junction 30 of the M1 and only 90 minutes from London, by train.

Committment to Academic Excellence

With dedicated teaching staff, small class sizes and specialist facilities, learning is a fun and challenging experience. Offering specific programmes to stretch the most able and to inspire independent learning, we produce outstanding results, enabling an increasing number of pupils to enter the top twenty UK universities. Equally, in a school that chooses not to be harshly selective, we are proud of our record of bringing out the best in every student, measuring ourselves against pupils’ progress, rather than league tables.

A Holistic Educational Philosophy

At the heart of the College’s philosophy is the belief that education goes far beyond academic achievement. It’s about supporting young people to truly flourish — helping them become the best version of themselves, whatever their passions or goals may be. Whether destined for a top university, excelling in sport, music, art, or still discovering where their talents lie, students at Worksop College are encouraged to explore, grow, and thrive.

​See below for job opportunities at Worksop College!