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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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Stuart Douglass
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Stuart Douglass

Business Manager

Stuart Douglass has been an integral part of Sharp Consultancy since 2016, bringing with him a wealth of experience in the senior interim finance recruitment sector. With a career spanning over 22 years, Stuart has a deep understanding of the finance market in West and North Yorkshire.

After graduating Teesside University with a degree in Sociology, Stuart joined an international recruitment firm where he progressed to Senior Manager over a period of 17 years. His extensive experience has made him a specialist in placing interim finance professionals ranging from Management Accountants to CFOs, with roles spanning from £30k to £250k.

Stuart focuses exclusively on senior interim roles within West and North Yorkshire. His expertise covers:

• Part Qualified (PQ)

• Qualified by Experience (QBE)

• Qualified (Qual)

This specialisation allows Stuart to offer bespoke recruitment solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of each client and candidate.

When asked to describe Stuart, friends and colleagues often highlight his punctuality, dedication, and sense of humour. He is known for his early starts, hard-working nature, and the ability to lighten up even the most serious of meetings. Outside of his professional commitments, Stuart enjoys spending quality time with his family, including his two teenage sons. He has a passion for driving performance cars and loves indulging in good food and fine wine.

To discuss how Stuart can assist with your senior interim finance recruitment needs, feel free to get in touch. With his extensive experience and personalised approach, Stuart is committed to helping you find the right fit for your organisation.

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    ​Communication was excellent even when the post was delayed it was communicated well. Everything went smoothly from interview to onboarding and overall I am very pleased with the process.

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    Josie
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    ​Karen, Stuart and Colin at Sharp have worked tirelessly to place me in the right position, considering me with everything that might be appropriate!

    Craig
    Craig
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    ​I would like to give Stuart and Jamie a 10, they both stayed in regular contact with me during my job search and kept me informed of any roles that came to the market. Would definitely work with them both and Sharp Consultancy again.

    David
    David
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    ​I would score a 10, Stuart is lovely. He kept me fully informed of my progress and and possible roles. Brilliant follow up after starting my new role and he even sent me a little congratulations gift.

    Diana
    Diana
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    ​I was extremely happy with the service, advice and follow-up received from Stuart. I would definitely use you again in the future and have already recommended you to some of my friends in accountancy.

    Jane
    Jane
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    Stuart has been helpful and understanding all the way and Sharps seem to be the only agency I have used for recruitment who seems to understand and take into account what I need at a point in time.

    Julia
    Julia