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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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Transactional Temps
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Temporary Transactional Finance: Your Trusted Partner for Temp Job Placements

At Sharp Consultancy, we are North's leading experts in transactional temporary recruitment with a legacy of over 30 years. Our commitment to excellence and industry expertise makes us the preferred choice for job seekers and employers in credit control, purchase ledger, sales ledger, payroll, and accounts assistant positions.

Why Choose Sharp Consultancy?

Our expert consultants bring unparalleled experience and industry connections to cater to a wide range of transactional roles. Here's why we excel:

  • Decades of Experience: Specialised focus on temporary transactional recruitment for over 30 years.

  • Specialist Team: Dedicated exclusively to temporary transactional roles, ensuring in-depth understanding of industry requirements.

  • Personalised Service: Committed to matching you with the ideal role based on your career goals and skills.

  • Extensive Offerings: Providing recruitment solutions for credit control, purchase ledger, sales ledger, payroll, and accounts assistant roles and more.

Reasons to consider a Transactional Temp job

  • Increased Flexibility: Temporary finance jobs offer more flexibility than permanent roles, allowing professionals to balance work with personal commitments, travel, or further education. Choosing when and where you work can greatly enhance your quality of life.

  • Diverse Experience and Skill Enhancement: Temporary finance positions let you work across various industries and companies, broadening your skill set and making you a more attractive candidate for future roles. Each assignment enhances to your diverse experience, showcasing your adaptability and expertise. These roles often provide opportunities to learn new systems, processes, and techniques, keeping your skills sharp and competitive in the fast-evolving finance sector.

  • Networking Opportunities: Working in multiple organisations allows you to expand your professional network. Building relationships with professionals across various sectors can open doors to future job opportunities and valuable career advice.

  • Career Transition: Considering a career shift? Temporary finance roles serve as a practical stepping stone. They allow you to explore different facets of the finance industry without a long-term commitment, helping you make informed career decisions.

  • Immediate Income: Need quick employment? Temporary finance jobs can often be secured faster than permanent positions, providing immediate income while you search for the perfect long-term role.

  • Pathway to Permanent Employment: Temporary finance roles often lead to permanent employment. If the assignment goes well, it can result in a full-time offer, allowing you to see if the company aligns with your long-term career goals. This trial period lets both you and the employer assess fit and compatibility, making it a strategic move toward securing a desirable permanent position.

The Benefits of Partnering with Us

  • Specialised Team: Our team specialises solely in transactional temporary recruitment, providing expert and focused guidance.

  • Tailored Matches: We understand that a strong transactional team is key to the success of a business's complete finance function. We aim to find temporary roles that align perfectly with your qualifications and career ambitions.

  • Long-standing Relationships: Our long-lasting relationships with businesses across Yorkshire and the North Midlands ensure that we can place you in temporary roles that align with your career goals better than any other recruiter in the region.

Ready to take the next step in your finance career? Submit your CV today to express your interest. Our commitment to excellence ensures you’ll receive the support and opportunities needed to thrive in your Transactional Finance career.

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    ​I would rate the service at Sharp Consultancy a 10! I have recommended Sharp as well as Liam to my friends and previous work colleagues. I would like to say Liam put me at ease following a quick turn of events that left me without a job and worrying myself sick. He made the process smooth and straight forward, for that I cannot thank him enough!!

    Jade
    Jade
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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
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    ​I have used the services of Sharp Consultancy for a while now, and I cannot speak highly enough of their exceptional services. Their professionalism, dedication, and personalised approach made all the difference. Thanks to their expertise, I was able to find the perfect candidate for our company.

    Wolfgang Suessenberger - Head of Accounting
    Wolfgang Suessenberger - Head of Accounting

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