Accountant.

About the Role

The role of an accountant involves giving professional advice to organisations on a wide range of business and finance issues. As an accountant you may work in areas such as:

• Financial reporting
• Taxation
• Auditing
• Forensic accounting
• Corporate finance
• Insolvency

Qualified accountants are seen as strong leaders of companies, especially in a tough business environment, and many CEOs and finance directors of major companies have a background in accountancy.

As an accountant you can work in a range of different environments: either for a professional services or accountancy firm, working on a range of different clients, or within industry.

Routes to Becoming an Accountant

1. 1

   Graduate route: with any degree, join a firm that supports you through professional exams (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) alongside on-the-job training.

2. 2

   Non-graduate route: start with AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) – no formal entry requirements – then progress into ACA, ACCA or CIMA with exemptions.

3. 3

   Apprenticeship route: a Level 7 Accountancy Apprenticeship (equivalent to a Master’s degree) provides a full ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualification while working, funded through the apprenticeship levy.

4. 4

   School leaver route: some firms take on school leavers after A-levels, combining work with study towards professional qualifications.

Good to know: Exams across all routes cover subjects including bookkeeping, finance, law, ethics, tax and insolvency.