
Introduction
If you’re looking for a stable career with lucrative advancement opportunities and a competitive salary, accountancy might be a good option. But to land your first job in accounting, do you really need years of experience? Is a degree really necessary? Or are there other ways to get your foot in the door?
Entry-level accounting roles give people with little experience a chance to kickstart their accounting careers. In this article, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to help you land your first accounting job, from how to gain experience and qualifications, to what skills you need and what you can do to make your CV stand out
Table of Contents
What is an Entry-Level Accounting Job?
An entry-level accounting job is the first step on the accountancy career ladder. These beginner-friendly roles are designed for people with little to no experience in accounting — school-leavers, recent graduates, career changers, and the like.
An entry-level accounting job position might have a range of titles, such as:
- Accounting Assistant
- Bookkeeping Clerk
- Trainee Accountant
- Audits Assistant
- Junior Accountant
The exact nature of the role will differ depending on the company. Typically, the job will involve foundational tasks that introduce you to the world of accounting, such as data entry, financial reporting, record maintenance, and invoicing.
How to Land Your First Accounting Job
The lure of accountancy as a career makes entry-level accounting jobs highly sought after. Luckily, there are some key things you can do to make yourself desirable to employers.
Acquire a Relevant Degree or Further Education
While it’s entirely possible to land your first job in accounting without a degree, you’ll probably find that your chances will be much better with a solid educational background under your belt.
Bachelor’s degrees provide you with the foundational knowledge and skills you need to succeed in accounting. This includes accounting principles, tax accounting, financial reporting, and auditing. They also fast-track you to accreditation, which is necessary for becoming a chartered accountant in the UK.
Aim to gain a degree in accounting, finance, economics, or another related field. You could also consider further education (such as a master’s degree), to gain in-depth knowledge, focus your career path, and increase your desirability to employers.
Pursue Professional Qualifications
Instead of a degree, you could pursue professional accountancy qualifications.
The first step is to obtain an Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) qualification. This is a beginner-friendly accounting course with no upper age limit or formal entry requirements. It’s a viable route for people looking for a career change, as it can be completed at any age alongside your other work commitments.
An AAT qualification can help you land entry-level accounting roles. Once you’ve completed the AAT and obtained the required work experience, you can pursue further qualifications, such as the Associate Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA) or the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).
Acquire Essential Accounting Skills
Employers are on the lookout for candidates who possess specific skills and abilities. Take a look at job postings to see what accounting hiring managers look for, as this can help you understand which skills you need to hone to land and succeed in an accounting role.
It goes without saying that you should aim to have a beginner-level understanding of accounting. There are lots of accredited online courses that you can complete if you haven’t already got a degree or ATT qualification, such as this Accounting and Finance Fundamentals course.
As well as accounting basics, here are some essential skills that you should develop:
- Business knowledge
- Mathematics
- Data analysis
- Technology expertise
- Written and verbal communication
- Attention to detail
- Critical thinking
- Organisation and time-management
Gain Practical Experience
One of the best ways to land your first job in accounting is to seek relevant work experience.
Many entry-level roles ask for little to no experience. However, any type of relevant work experience — paid or unpaid — can be added to your CV to give you a competitive advantage. Not only does it demonstrate your commitment to an accounting career, but it can help you develop the critical skills that employers look out for.
Here’s how you can gain some accountancy experience:
• Internships: Lasting anywhere between eight weeks and 12 months, internships are temporary work placements typically offered to students and graduates They provide you with on-the-job training and can open the door to networking opportunities. Try searching for available internships online or, if there’s a company you’re especially keen to intern with, reach out to them directly.
• Volunteering: Charities and community organisations are often on the lookout for volunteers to help them with their accounts. Try looking for volunteering positions online — the ICAEW volunteering website is a great place to start.
• Work shadowing: There’s a lot that you can learn from simply watching other accountants perform their daily duties. Reach out to companies to see if they’ll let you shadow one of their accountants for a week or so. Use the opportunity to understand which skills and technologies you’ll need to hone.
Understand How to Use Accounting Technologies
Accountants use various digital technologies to execute and automate critical tasks, such as data entry, data analysis, and financial reporting. Competency in these technologies is valuable to employers, as is knowledge of upcoming technological trends.
The most important technology to become familiar with is accountancy software. Accountancy software automates complex financial processes, helping accountants manage accounts receivable and payable, produce financial reports, prepare forecasts, and more — all with more speed and accuracy than if they were using manual methods.
Of course, there are lots of different accountancy solutions on the market, each designed to meet the unique needs of different industries, company sizes, and accounting requirements. Research which technologies you should learn based on:
- The popularity of different technologies.
- The industry that you want to enter.
- Whether you want to work for corporate companies or small businesses.
Some companies use data analysis tools and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, too, so be sure to check those out.
Expand Your Professional Network
Who you know is just as important as what you know. Other accounting professionals can become helpful mentors and direct you to job opportunities that aren’t listed publicly,
Social media is a powerful networking tool. On LinkedIn, for example, you can connect with industry professionals and join accounting groups, enabling you to share knowledge and build relationships with accounting professionals. Other options include joining professional organisations and attending in-person career fairs and industry events.
Look for Job Advertisements Online
The best place to look for current vacancies is online — and there are loads of places to look. Job sites like Indeed, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn Jobs advertise entry-level accounting vacancies across the country, with a mixture of full-time, part-time, and even remote positions available.
Another good option is eFinancialCareers, which is a job site specifically for finance job seekers.
Build a Strong CV
You need a strong CV to make a good first impression and boost your chances of moving on to the next stage of the recruitment process. And, you can’t use the same CV to apply for different jobs — every CV should be tailored to the specific job you’re applying for.
The essentials of a strong CV include:
- A personal statement.
- Your academic credentials and educational achievements.
- Relevant training and work experience.
- Any volunteering work you’ve completed.
- Your relevant skills.
You can demonstrate your suitability for an accounting role even if you’ve had no accounting experience. Draw on the transferable skills you’ve learned through previous jobs and education to communicate why you think you’d be a good fit.
Don’t forget to include relevant keywords for the specific job you’re applying for and bolster your CV with a cover letter.
Prepare for Job Interviews
Once you’ve landed an interview, your next step is to prepare. This involves doing some research, brushing up on your interview skills, and putting together strong answers to common interview questions.
• Research the company: Thoroughly research the company you’re interviewing with and their financial situation to understand their business goals, values, and needs. Use this information to tailor your responses to potential questions and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role.
• Refine your interview skills: Hiring managers are looking for good communication skills and attention to detail, which you can showcase in your interview.
• Practice your introduction: Have a strong elevator pitch ready that clearly and succinctly communicates who you are — your experiences, skills, and career goals.
• Prepare for common interview questions: Craft responses to behavioural questions in advance, relating them to specific professional experiences, challenges, and achievements.
Engage in Continuous Learning and Development
The accounting industry is in a state of constant evolution, so it’s crucial to stay up to date with changes in tax laws, compliance regulations, financial reporting standards, and technological advancements. Read industry publications like ACCA’s AB Magazine to get the latest accounting news, developments, and trends.
Plus, as the accounting industry develops, so do the skills required. Promote your dedication to growth by engaging in continuous learning and development. Search for online budget-friendly accounting courses on sites like Coursera, Udemy, and FutureLearn.
Key Takeaways
Landing your first job in accounting needn’t be a pipe dream. Whether you’re a graduate or school-leaver just entering the workforce, or you’re looking for a rewarding career change, securing an entry-level accounting position is possible with the right dedication.
Along with pursuing academic qualifications and work experience, bolster your chances of success by honing your skills, networking with industry professionals, and getting to grips with accounting technologies and trends. Don’t forget to refine your CV and brush up on your interview skills to boost your chances of landing your first accounting role.
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