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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 11 jobs
    • Wakefield
    • £40,000 - £50,000 Hols & Pension
    • Posted 8 days ago

    ​This rather unique business based to the South of Wakefield have an amazing opportunity for an Interim Management accountant to join the team asap. You will fill a gap within the current team, and take ownership of the month end processes. You will create details reports for the leadership team,...

    • Sheffield
    • £45,000 - £48,000 2 days WFH, Flexible Hours, Private Medical Insurance
    • Posted 9 days ago

    ​Sharp Consultancy is proud to be working in partnership with a highly respected and award-winning accountancy firm based in Sheffield. Known for its strong regional presence and people-first culture, this firm is seeking an ambitious Audit Assistant Manager to join their growing team on a perman...

    • Halifax
    • £45,000 - £50,000 Pension, Hybrid
    • Posted 9 days ago

    ​An established and fast-growing consultancy group focused on acquisitions is seeking a Finance Manager to join its team. This is an exciting opportunity for a finance professional to play a central role in a business that values strategic thinking, operational insight, and continuous improvement...

    • York
    • £45,000 - £50,000 Pension, Hybrid, Study Support
    • Posted 14 days ago

    ​We’re thrilled to be working exclusively with one of our valued clients—a specialist manufacturing business based in York with a strong reputation for innovation and operational excellence. As this fast-growing company continues to expand, they are looking for a driven and capable individual to ...

    • Leeds
    • £45,000 - £48,000
    • Posted 17 days ago

    ​A leading business based in North Leeds seeks an experienced Management Accountant to cover a maternity leave for approximately 12 months. ​ The role will involve the following tasks: Assist in preparation of management accounts packs including calculation and posting of accruals, prepayments Va...

    • Sheffield
    • £45,000 - £48,000 + Up to 3 Days WFH + Flexible Hours + 25 Days AL + 8 BH + Buy Additional Leave
    • Posted 17 days ago

    Sharp Consultancy are delighted to be working with an award-winning Accountancy practice based in Sheffield in their recruitment for an Accounts Assistant Manager to join their team on a permanent basis. Our client is an incredibly sought-after practice, offering excellent wider exposure across t...

    • Sheffield
    • £45,000 - £50,000 Up to £50,000 basic salary, Private healthcare, 25 + 8 days holiday entitlement, Competitive pension and life assurance
    • Posted 22 days ago

    ​Sharp Consultancy are delighted to be working with an award-winning regional firm of Chartered Accountants as they look to recruit an Audit and Accounts Senior in Sheffield. The client, a modern firm dedicated to employee wellbeing are offering a fantastic development pathway for someone ACA/ACC...

    • Leeds
    • £40000 - £50000 Hols, Pension
    • Posted 28 days ago

    ​This extremely progressive Leeds brand are currently enjoying a sustained period of growth within their niche field. A diverse client portfolio ensures they continue to grow year on year. They have a requirement for an experienced Management accountant to join the team, to take ownership of thei...

    • Leeds
    • £45,000 - £47,000 Bonus, Study Support, Pension, Free Parking, Hybrid Working
    • Posted 28 days ago

    ​A rapidly expanding marketing company based in Leeds is looking to strengthen its finance team with the addition of a Commercial Finance Analyst. This is a fantastic opportunity for a commercially minded finance professional to join a fast-paced, dynamic business with excellent prospects for car...

    • Leeds
    • £45,000 - £55,000 Pension
    • Posted 28 days ago

    ​We’re partnering with a rapidly growing, PE-backed leisure management group expanding its operations. They’re looking for a Management Accountant to strengthen the finance team by providing accurate reporting and financial insights that support strategic growth and decision-making. We’re looking...

    • Harrogate
    • £45,000 - £50,000 Bonus, Free Parking, Hybrid working, Healthcare
    • Posted 28 days ago

    ​Sharp Consultancy are proud to be representing a market leading Service providing business that are looking for a detail-oriented accounting professional to join their Group Accounting team. If you are an ambitious qualified accountant looking to make an impact in a dynamic, service providing bu...

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