Ask the Accounting Community

Many people talk about advancing their accounting career but fail to take any action. In order to progress and climb the ladder in any profession, it is vital that you are willing to put the work in and push your boundaries. There are many different areas to consider which should help you to improve your abilities while also opening new doors for you to progress your career. Although it can be hard work, it can also be immensely rewarding and help you to get much more out of your career. These are the main areas to consider for accountants looking to take the next step:

 

 

In order to progress in any line of work, it is important that you develop your soft skills. This ensures that you are comfortable in any working environment and that you are capable of leading a team and communicating effectively. These soft skills include:

 

• Leadership
• Public speaking
• Presentation skills
• Teamwork
• Time-management
• Work ethic
  If you feel that you are weak in any of these areas, then it is worth spending time developing these skills. This can be hard to do, but there are often courses which can be helpful.

 

 

If possible, it is helpful if you can vary your work duties so that you are flexible and develop a wide range of different skills. This will add to your marketability, make sure that you are not pigeon-holed and allow you to work with different people. It is easy to become narrow-minded and restricted when you are performing the same work with the same people each day, so any variety is good.

 

 

If you want to progress from within your current company, then you need to make sure that you are visible and present. A few good ways to increase your professional visibility include:

 

• Participating in meetings/discussions
• Taking on projects
• Giving presentations
• Volunteering
• Help new/junior staff

 

This will all show that you are a team player and help your name to spring to mind when suitable vacancies open up within the business.

 

 

It is, of course, important to have a range of skills and good qualifications to advance a career in accounting, but you must also know the right people. Having a large network can open up new opportunities and help to increase awareness about your personal brand. Network by attending industry events and also through social media.

 

 

Leading on from this, in today’s day and age you need to have a strong online presence especially if you are looking for a career change. Create a professional website for yourself which acts as an online resume - this should include sections on:

 

• Background
• Experience
• Skillset
• Quotes from employers and clients
• Contact details

 

LinkedIn and social media channels are also effective for creating a strong online presence and communicating with your network.

 

 

Following on from this, it can also be helpful to have a mentor who can guide you in the right direction, provide support and introduce you to new people. Finding a mentor can be tough, and if you are unable to find someone suitable through your current role or through networking, then you could try a mentorship program.

 

 

Technology is playing an increasingly more important role in all areas of business including accounting. In order to succeed now and in the near future, it is essential that you are tech-savvy and aware of how and what technology is impacting the accounting industry.

 

 

Qualifications look great on your resume while also providing you with important knowledge that is key for higher positions (in some cases a certain qualification will be a requirement). This can be hard when you are currently working and have a busy schedule, but there are courses which can be completed online and at a pace to suit you. An MBA online in California is a good example and will provide you with the busses fundamentals to go on and find success in your career.

 

 

In addition to studying to obtain more qualifications, you should also continue to stay afloat on all of the latest industry news and trends. A great accountant immerses themselves in the ever-changing world of finance in order to stay competitive. You can do this through reading books, reading the news, attending industry events and joining online communities.

 

 

Although you will want to get ahead in your career, you also must be a team player as this shows that you are capable of putting the interests of the business first and helping out colleagues. This shows important leadership skills that are essential in the senior positions.

 

 

It is rare for opportunities to fall in your lap which is why you must be pro-active when it comes to advancing your career. This will involve speaking to your boss about being considered for any vacancies that open up internally and also about what you need to do in order to advance. Additionally, to not shy away from applying for positions at a different company - in order to progress you need to be willing to take chances and embrace change.

 

 

Although you will want to work hard and show that you are committed, it is essential that you look after yourself and avoid burnout. This ensures that you will be fresh, energized and ready for work each day which will not go unnoticed. This means that you need to find ways to relax, exercise, eat a healthy diet and get enough sleep each night.

 

Career progression is tricky in the accounting world. These are the main areas that you will need to focus on if you want to advance your career and get more from your job. Many people talk about climbing the ladder but expect opportunity to fall at their feet - you are much more likely to succeed by taking action and making opportunities for yourself.