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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 19 jobs
    • Bradford
    • £25,000 - £27,000 Competitive Benefits Package Available
    • Posted about 9 hours 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 about 9 hours 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...

    • York
    • £25,000 - £27,000 Competitive Benefits Package Available
    • Posted 5 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 7 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...

    • Wakefield
    • £55,000 - £65,000 Bonus / 25 Days Holiday + Banks / Private Healthcare / Pension / Flexible Working
    • Posted 11 days ago

    ​We’re excited to be partnering with an award-winning engineering business in their search for a Finance Business Partner in Wakefield. As a Finance Business Partner, you will work closely with senior stakeholders in operational and commercial teams to provide financial insight, challenge assumpt...

    • Huddersfield
    • £24,500 - £25,000
    • Posted 13 days ago

    ​If you are a Payroll professional looking for a new part time position in and around the Huddersfield area this could be the perfect role for you. This role manages the payroll for c300 clients, it offers a great work life balance of a 30 hour working week with fixed hours of 10am – 6pm. Duties ...

    • Sheffield
    • £25,000 - £27,000
    • Posted 13 days ago

    Sharp Consultancy are working with a long-established retail business based in Sheffield that are looking for an Accounts Assistant to join their team on a full time and permanent basis.   This is a brilliant opportunity for an experienced Accounts Assistant to join a business that will look to s...

    • York
    • £25,000 - £27,000 Competitive Benefits Package Available
    • Posted 15 days ago

    ​Our client are a leading business based within easy reach of major transports routes in York. They currently have a requirement for a talented administrator to join their team to assist with administration within the finance team. Serve as the main point of contact for internal and external clie...

    • Leeds
    • £25,000 - £27,000 Competitive Benefits Package Available
    • Posted 15 days ago

    ​Are you a proactive, detail-oriented go-getter with experience in recoveries or insolvency? Join a leading energy business in the heart of Leeds as a Recoveries Administrator and make a real impact while growing your career! What You'll Do: Connect with Customers: Use phone or email to collect p...

    • Doncaster
    • £25,000 - £27,000 + Hybrid Working + Discretionary Annual Bonus + On-site Parking
    • Posted 19 days ago

    Sharp Consultancy is proud to be working with a highly respected national business in the environmental services sector to recruit a Credit Controller for their finance team. This is a fantastic opportunity for a finance professional to join a forward-thinking, values-driven organisation that tru...

    • York
    • £25,000 - £27,000 Competitive Benefits Package Available
    • Posted 19 days ago

    ​Become a Valued Member of a Finance Team as a Purchase Ledger Clerk! Are you eager to make a significant impact in a top-tier service industry company? Our client is searching for a skilled Purchase Ledger Clerk to join their dynamic Accounts team. If you're seeking a role filled with daily chal...

    • Rotherham
    • Up to £40,000 + 25 days holiday + study support (if required) + hybrid working
    • Posted 20 days ago

    ​Are you looking to join a unique and growing business based in Rotherham? Our client is expanding their accounts team and seeking a Management Accountant to play a pivotal role in their continued growth. In this role, you’ll work closely with the Finance Director, preparing monthly financial rep...

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