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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 57 jobs
    • Doncaster
    • £30,000 - £40,000 + Generous Holidays, Hybrid Working, Flexible Start & Finish times, On-the-job Training
    • Posted 41 minutes ago

    Sharp Consultancy are delighted to be working with a large, growing business based in Doncaster to recruit a Part-Time Management Accountant.   This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced finance professional seeking flexibility within a stable and ambitious organisation. You’ll play a key...

    • Worksop
    • £25,000 - £28,000 + Study Support
    • Posted about 21 hours 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
    • £30,000 - £32,000
    • Posted about 23 hours ago

    ​ I am working with a fantastic business based in the centre of Leeds who are looking to bring a new Purchase ledger Clerk into the team as the current incumbent is retiring after long service. Working as part of a team of 7 in finance as Purchase Ledger Clerk you will ensure the timely and accur...

    • Bradford
    • £35,000 - £40,000 Pension, Hybrid
    • Posted about 23 hours ago

    ​We’re proud to be working alongside a respected care home provider based in Wakefield – a growing organisation known for its commitment to quality care and community-focused values. As the business continues to expand, there is an exciting opportunity for a talented finance professional to join ...

    • Goole
    • £35,000 - £45,000 + Hybrid Working
    • Posted 4 days ago

    Sharp Consultancy are delighted to be working with a growing and well-established SME to recruit a Bookkeeper. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a £3 million turnover business that forms part of a larger international group. Reporting directly to the Managing Director and liaising regularly...

    • Leeds
    • £30,000 - £35,000 Pension, Hybrid, Study Support
    • Posted 4 days ago

    ​ We’re partnering with a fast-growing, private equity-backed transport and distribution business that’s transforming its sector through innovation, service excellence, and operational efficiency. With a growing national footprint and a reputation for reliability, they deliver tailored logistics ...

    • Chesterfield
    • £28,000 - £30,000
    • Posted 5 days ago

    Sharp Consultancy are working with a well-established business based in Chesterfield that are looking for an Account Assistant on a full time, interim basis.   This is a full-time office based role, Monday to Friday for a period of 12 months.   The main duties of this role will include: Processin...

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

    • Leeds
    • £25,000 - £26,000 Hybrid working, free parking, flexible working
    • Posted 5 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...

    • Wakefield
    • £28,000 - £30,000 Study Support
    • Posted 6 days ago

    ​ Working as Accounts Assistant as part a of a member of a small finance team in a financial services business based in Wakefield you will support the Management Accountant and will assist in the smooth processing of both Sales Ledger and Purchase Ledger functions covering any other aspects of tr...

    • Leeds
    • £28,000 - £30,000
    • Posted 6 days ago

    ​ Are you an experienced Credit Controller looking for a challenging and rewarding opportunity? If so we have a great opportunity to join a finance team at the businesses head office based in Leeds. If you have a strong background in Credit Control and are looking to take the next step this could...

    • Bradford
    • £28,000 - £30,000 Competitive
    • Posted 7 days ago

    ​The HR Administrator will handle payroll processing and provide administrative support to the HR Manager throughout the employee lifecycle. This includes assisting with disciplinary and grievance matters, managing personnel files, and maintaining the HR information system (HRIS). The role requir...

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