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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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Found 22 jobs
    • Bradford
    • £25,000 – £28,000 Hybrid Working, Great employee benefits, equal contribution pension scheme.
    • Posted 3 days ago

    ​We’re working with a growing business in Bradford that’s looking for a Purchase Ledger to join their finance team on a temporary basis. If you’ve got a good eye for detail and experience in accounts payable, this could be a great fit. Purchase Ledger – What you’ll be doing Processing supplier in...

    • York
    • £25,000 – £28,000 Hybrid Working, Great employee benefits, equal contribution pension scheme.
    • Posted 3 days ago

    ​We’re working with a purpose-led business in York to help them find a Finance Assistant to join their growing team on a temporary basis. If you’re detail-oriented, adaptable, and confident in your finance skills, this is a great opportunity to get stuck in and make a difference. Finance Assistan...

    • Huddersfield
    • £25,000 - £29,000 Hybrid working, free parking, flexible working
    • Posted 3 days ago

    ​We’re helping a well-established business in Huddersfield find an experienced Payroll Assistant to join them on a temporary basis. If you’re confident with payroll processes and can hit the ground running, this could be a great fit. Payroll Assistant - What you’ll be doing Supporting the end-to-...

    • Worksop
    • £25,000 - £28,000 + Study Support
    • Posted 4 days ago

    Sharp Consultancy are proud to be partnering with a leading manufacturing business based in Worksop in their recruitment for an Accounts Assistant. This is an excellent opportunity for someone currently studying AAT (or looking to begin) and eager to develop a long-term career in a dynamic and su...

    • Leeds
    • £25,000 - £26,000 Hybrid working, free parking, flexible working
    • Posted 8 days ago

    ​Sharp Consultancy is proud to announce that we’ve partnered with a well-established business in Leeds to recruit a Sales Ledger Administrator on a 6-month fixed-term contract. This is a great entry-level opportunity with a strong focus on admin and customer service - perfect for someone who enjo...

    • Bradford
    • £30,000 Hybrid working, private medical insurance, up to 5% pension contributions, hybrid working.
    • Posted 10 days ago

    ​Sharp Consultancy are proud to announce that we are working with a leading professional services business in Bradford who are looking to appoint an experienced Credit Controller to join their finance team on a temporary basis. This is a great opportunity for a Credit Controller who enjoys mainta...

    • Bradford
    • £25,000 - £27,000 Competitive Benefits Package Available
    • Posted 11 days ago

    ​Established Finance Team Seeks Experienced Purchase Ledger Clerk – Bradford Are you looking to bring your skills to a respected and growing company in the Bradford area? Our client operates a large finance function at their Bradford office and is seeking a dependable Purchase Ledger Clerk to joi...

    • York
    • Posted 11 days ago

    ​Join a Thriving Finance Team as a Purchase Ledger Clerk! ​ Are you ready to play a key role in a leading company within the service sector? Our client is on the lookout for a talented Purchase Ledger Clerk to become part of their vibrant Accounts department. If you're looking for a position that...

    • Bradford
    • £25,000 - £31,000 Hybrid working, free parking, great benefits
    • Posted 14 days ago

    ​Accounts Payable Coordinator – Join a high-performing finance team Sharp is proud to be working with a well-established, forward-thinking utilities organisation to help them appoint an experienced Accounts Payable Coordinator on a 14-month fixed-term contract. The business operates at scale, wit...

    • Barnsley
    • £25,000 - £28,000 + On-site Parking
    • Posted 15 days ago

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    • York
    • £25,000 - £27,000 Competitive Benefits Package Available
    • Posted 16 days ago

    ​One of the most recognisable business names in York are currently looking for a talented finance administrator to join their team to assist with administration within the finance team. Processing invoices Dealing with enquires around payments Assist with the processing of expenses Using Excel to...

    • Barnsley
    • £25,000 - £28,000 + various benefits
    • Posted 17 days ago

    Sharp Consultancy is proud to be working with a dynamic and expanding organisation, in their search for a Payroll Assistant to join them on a permanent basis.   This is more than just a payroll job – it’s a chance to become part of a company that genuinely invests in its people, values individual...

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