Accountancy is a great profession to get into, and there are a number of ways that you can qualify to work in this industry. You can study at university or study on the job with Gloucester accountants like Randall and Payne. It is always worth speaking with accountancy firms in your area to see whether they have any apprenticeship opportunities available.
An accountant is a person who provides financial advice to businesses and assists them in managing the money and maximising the profits of their companies. A major part of the job involves preparing financial reports, checking the accuracy of financial documents, and providing advice on business financial matters. Taxes, payroll, budgets, and procurement are all subjects that an accountant may need to deal with during their career.
Chartered accountants are qualified by completing a degree followed by professional qualifications after they have gained an undergraduate degree. There is also the option of working towards an apprenticeship as an accountant or tax accountant. Additionally, you can achieve chartered status if you start out in a more junior role, such as an accounting assistant, and work up the ladder while pursuing professional qualifications along the way.
There are many skills that are required to succeed in this sector, such as the ability to communicate well, work well with others, be attentive to detail, and be comfortable handling and analysing numbers. Aside from these requirements, you will also need problem-solving skills, organisational skills, leadership skills, and IT skills.
To be eligible to study accountancy as an academic course, you will need a minimum of four GCSEs (or equivalent) at grade 4/C or higher, including English and maths. There was a time when many top companies required students to achieve As and Bs at A level (or equivalent) as well as a 2:1 from their degree program, but many companies are looking to broaden their intake and are accepting other grades. In these instances, professional qualifications can be undertaken whilst working.
You will have to decide which professional exams you are going to take depending on what your speciality will be and where you intend to work. If you wish to enter a public practice environment, you should seek out an ACA qualification. As a result of taking this route, you might be able to work for an accounting firm advising a range of clients and assisting them in managing their finances. It is possible to specialise in a variety of areas, including auditing, corporate finance, and tax, for example. A career in public practice is a fairly common route for graduates looking to transition into a career as a professional accountant.
