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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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Andrew Walker
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Andrew Walker

Commercial Director

Andrew Walker is a seasoned recruiter with an impressive career spanning over two decades. He graduated from Sheffield Hallam with a Degree in Business Studies and began his career in recruitment in June 2003. Over the past 21 years, Andrew has garnered extensive experience in both temporary and permanent recruitment across various sectors, including construction, engineering, industrial, and finance & accounting.

Andrew joined Sharp Consultancy back in 2010, and most recently ascended to the role of Commercial Director. In this capacity, he plays a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of the company as part of the leadership team.

Andrew is a member of our Interim Specialists team, who specialise in the placement of Temporary and Interim Senior Finance Professionals. Andrew's covers all of South Yorkshire and North East Midlands. His deep understanding of the market and commitment to excellence have positioned him as a trusted advisor for clients and candidates alike.

Described by friends as passionate, driven and witty, Andrew brings these qualities to both his professional and personal life. Outside of work, he is actively involved in his community. He volunteers as a manager and coach for a grassroots youth football team in the Sheffield and Hallamshire FA. A passionate football fan, Andrew holds a season ticket for Nottingham Forest.

Family is paramount to Andrew, and he cherishes time spent with his wife and son. He also enjoys live music and attends concerts whenever possible.

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    ​It has to be a 10. I’ve dealt with a lot of agencies since been made redundant and a lot seem content to get you signed up and offer nothing after that. Sharp Consultancy and Andy have not been like that, Andy was very thorough when I first signed up, took time to listen to what I’d done and what I wanted to do. Sharp Consultancy is the best agency I have dealt with.

    Matthew
    Matthew
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    ​Andy has found the perfect job for me, and has also been a great source of advice and support through my interviewing process. I genuinely can’t thank Andy enough!

    Sarah
    Sarah
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    I have used Sharp Consultancy for recruitment and also been placed by them myself, I know that they are approachable and professional. I can always count on my main contacts to be reliable, responsive and committed to finding us the best candidates. I recommend Sharp Consultancy to provide a great service. ​

    Stephanie Bashforth - Group Finance Manager
    Stephanie Bashforth - Group Finance Manager