10 reasons why you should become an Accountant

Have you ever thought about becoming an accountant, but felt unsure about what a career in finance could offer? We regularly advise candidates of all levels on the best job roles for them. Here we have outlined the top reasons why so many of our candidates choose to pursue careers in accounting. 

Whether you are a newly qualified accountant, have just finished your accounting degree and are unsure where to go next or are simply at a crossroads with your career, we may have some answers for you.  

The finance and accountancy sector is broad, varied and essential to organisations across the UK and beyond. accountants are needed in almost every sector, from private businesses and accountancy practices to public sector organisations, charities, housing, education and healthcare. This means there are many different routes, roles and career paths available, depending on your interests and long-term goals. 

In this blog we will look at how to become an accountant, what we believe to be the top benefits of working as an accountant, and why people should really consider accountancy as a career.  

How to become an accountant 

Before looking at the benefits of an accountancy career, it is useful to understand the different routes into the profession. A career in accountancy usually involves a mix of education, professional qualifications and practical experience, although the right route will depend on your starting point and long-term goals. 

Some aspiring accountants choose to go to university and study accounting, finance, business or a related subject. However, this is not the only route into the profession. Many people start through apprenticeships, school leaver programmes, trainee finance roles or entry-level positions and study while they work. 

There are also alternative routes, including studying for the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) qualification before progressing to a professional qualification such as:

• ACCA
• ACA
• CIMA
• CIPFA

The right qualification will depend on the type of accountancy career you want to build. For example, CIMA is often suited to management accounting and commercial finance roles, while CIPFA is particularly relevant for public sector finance careers. 

While qualifications are important, practical experience is also key. Trainee roles, internships and entry-level positions in accountancy practices or finance teams can provide valuable hands-on experience. These roles help you apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios, understand the intricacies of financial reporting, and develop essential skills. 

Building a professional network can also support your accountancy career. Speaking to colleagues, mentors, professional bodies and specialist recruiters can help you understand your options, learn more about different routes and access opportunities that suit your skills and ambitions. 

How long does it take to become an accountant? 

The journey to becoming an accountant can vary depending on your starting point, qualification route and career goals. For many professional qualifications, candidates will need to complete exams while gaining relevant practical experience, so it can take several years to become fully qualified. Some people begin this journey after university, while others start through apprenticeships, AAT study or entry-level finance roles. For example, some candidates gain practical experience through a training contract while completing professional exams, while others build experience through apprenticeships, AAT study or entry-level finance roles before progressing further. 

Top reasons to become an accountant

1. Excellent development and career prospects: accountancy can offer strong long-term career development for people who are motivated, organised and willing to keep learning. As you gain qualifications and experience, you can move into more senior, specialist or strategic finance roles, including management accounting, audit, tax, financial reporting, business partnering, financial control or finance leadership. 
   
   
2. Strong earning potential: accountancy can offer competitive salaries, particularly as you become part-qualified, newly qualified or move into more senior roles. Salaries vary depending on your qualification, experience, location, sector and level of responsibility, but finance professionals can progress into well-paid permanent, contract or interim roles over time.  
   
   
3. Long-term demand: organisations continue to need strong financial management, reporting, controls and insight. While no career can guarantee complete job security, accountancy skills are needed across almost every sector, which can make it a resilient and attractive career path. 
   
   
4. Variety: accountants can work across a wide range of sectors, including practice, private businesses, public sector organisations, charities, housing, healthcare, education, financial services, manufacturing and technology. This gives you the opportunity to build a career in an area that interests you. 
   
   
5. A number of career options:  you will be able to enjoy access to a vast number of different accounting careers, including those on a permanent, contract and interim basis. This can give candidates more flexibility when exploring suitable roles, particularly if they are open to different sectors, contract types or areas of finance. Roles you could move into include audit, tax, financial reporting, management accounting, FP&A, business partnering, commercial finance, payroll, treasury, internal audit, risk, controls and finance leadership. 
   
   
6. The ability to make a real impact: today’s finance professionals do much more than process numbers. Accountants often help organisations understand performance, manage risk, plan for the future and make better decisions. In the private sector, this might mean supporting growth, profitability or investment decisions. In the public sector, it can mean helping organisations manage budgets, deliver value for money and protect services for communities. 
   
   
7. Technology and a changing finance function: technology is continuing to change the way finance teams work. Automation, data analytics, reporting tools, AI and finance systems are helping teams improve processes, analyse trends and provide better insight. This creates opportunities for accountants who are comfortable with technology and willing to keep developing their digital skills. 
   
   
8. Transferable skills:  accountancy helps you develop skills that are valuable in many different roles, including analysis, problem-solving, communication, decision-making, risk management and commercial awareness. These skills can support progression into finance leadership, or provide a useful foundation for related areas such as operations, consulting, recruitment, teaching, business management or running your own business.
   
   
9. Opportunities to work internationally: recognised accountancy qualifications can open up opportunities with organisations that operate internationally. Depending on your qualification, experience and the requirements of the country you want to work in, accountancy can offer the chance to build a career that is not limited to one location. 
   
   
10. You do not always need a university degree: a degree can be helpful, particularly for some graduate schemes, and may give you exemptions from certain exams depending on the course and qualification. However, it is not the only way into accountancy. Many people start through apprenticeships, AAT study, trainee roles or entry-level finance positions and progress while gaining workplace experience. 

For ambitious candidates who enjoy problem-solving, working with numbers and supporting better decision-making, accountancy can be a highly rewarding career. The profession offers a wide range of routes, specialisms and progression opportunities, making it a strong option for school leavers, graduates, part-qualified professionals and career changers. 

Your options 

Once you are qualified, or as you progress towards qualification, there are many different career routes available. You may choose to work in practice, industry, the public sector or not-for-profit, depending on your interests, skills and long-term goals. 

Qualified finance professionals can work in accountancy practices, private businesses, SMEs, listed companies, public sector organisations, charities, housing associations, education providers, healthcare organisations and more. Roles may include Auditor, Financial Accountant, Management Accountant, Finance Business Partner, Financial Analyst, Financial Controller or Finance Director. 

With so much choice on the market, it is important to know what your options are, especially for newly qualified accountants. 

Many ACA-qualified candidates begin their careers in practice, which means one common decision after qualification is whether to remain in practice or move into industry. However, this is not the only route. Candidates with ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or AAT backgrounds may take different paths depending on their experience and career goals. 

Many accountancy practices offer structured training and development pathways, which can give chartered accountants a clear route for progression. 

Industry roles can give candidates the opportunity to work closer to the day-to-day performance, planning and decision-making of an organisation. This could include roles in commercial finance, financial reporting, FP&A, business partnering or financial control. For some candidates, this can be an appealing move after building a strong technical foundation in practice. 

Progression in industry can vary depending on the organisation. Some employers offer clear development pathways, while others may require candidates to be more proactive in seeking new responsibilities, training and promotion opportunities. Before accepting a role, it is worth asking about progression, study support, mentoring and the skills you will be able to develop. 

Whichever route you choose, it is useful to think carefully about your long-term goals early on. It is possible to move between practice, industry, public sector and not-for-profit roles, particularly if you can demonstrate transferable skills. It is possible to move between practice, industry, public sector and not-for-profit roles, particularly if you can demonstrate transferable skills. However, the longer you specialise in one area, the more important it becomes to plan your next move carefully and understand how your experience will be viewed by employers. 

A specialist Recruitment Consultant can be a useful source of career advice, not just someone to contact when you ‘re actively looking for a new role. They can help you understand the current jobs market, compare different career routes, prepare for interviews, benchmark salaries and identify the skills employers are looking for. Most recruiters will be experts in their field and will have strong market knowledge when it comes to career opportunities, so keeping in touch with them and asking for advice will be hugely beneficial. 

Recruiters can help you with everything from developing your online brand and interview preparation right through to advice on career paths, the training and development you should be receiving and average salaries. 

What next? 

Get in touch  with one of our expert Finance & Accountancy Consultants today and they will be more than happy to offer you tailored advice. From answering the top questions recently qualified candidates regularly ask us, to offering advice on the best career option for you, our team of experts will be more than happy to help. 

At Sellick Partnership, we work with finance and accountancy professionals at every stage of their career, from entry-level and part-qualified candidates through to newly qualified accountants, Financial Controllers, Finance Directors and senior finance leaders. We partner with employers across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors, giving candidates access to a wide range of permanent, contract and interim opportunities. 

If you are interested in hearing about  our latest accountancy jobs, or want to be kept up-to-date on what is going on in the finance & accountancy jobs market, feel free to sign up to our tailored job alerts today.