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ACA qualified? Choose your career path

04 December 2014 Candidate Blogs
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Many congratulations. Your hard-work has been rewarded. You’re ACA qualified! What’s next?

Now’s the time to think about your future and getting ahead of the curve.

Know your worth

  • ACA is an internationally recognised, highly regarded qualification
  • You now have the edge that puts you ahead of the competition
  • ACA prepares finance candidates for a wide range of careers


The skills that you have gained through your training will be highly sought after by some of the global market-leaders in:

  • Commerce and industry
  • Financial services
  • Public practice
  • Not for profit


You know your skill-set is desirable. Now it's time to make yourself marketable so you can turn every opportunity into a career prospect.
 

Choose your career path now


As a newly qualified ACA you can follow a number of routes depending on your training and specialist practical experience, including:
 

Commercial, reporting and strategic finance roles:

 

  • Utilizing your analytical, planning and strategic skills.
  • Typical roles range from management accounting and group accounting through to Finance Manager and Financial Controller positions in smaller companies. 
  • More commercial focused positions are available, particularly if you have skills in modeling, M&A/corporate finance or financial analysis. These roles are key to supporting and driving business performance.

 

Specialist accounting roles:

 

  • Drawing upon the technical elements of your qualification and experience, some entry positions into commercial firms are either as a Financial Accountant or Group Accountant. 
  • These roles provide excellent grounding for a move into an FD role later in your career.

 


Roles within practice:

 

  • You may be lucky enough to secure a new contract with your current employer and contemplating the next step to managerial level.
  • If not consider whether you want to specialise, or if you would rather have a wider remit.
  • Decide whether you are looking for the challenge of working for a higher-ranking practice, or a smaller, more intimate environment.

 

What salary can I expect?


Salary levels will vary by sector and the type of experience you have, whether you want to move into a corporate or SME. Corporate finance experience does have a premium.

Read our salary guide for average salary rates by sector and market insight into which sectors offer the most opportunity for career progression.
 

How do I choose what’s best for me?


With many options open to you it can be difficult to decide on the next best step for your career path. Ask yourself:

  • Are there long-term opportunities with my current employer?
  • What experience will help me develop the skills I need to continue to develop?
  • What sectors have I been exposed to during my training, and are any of those of interest to me?
  • Is there a specific part of my current role that I would be interested to do more in?
  • Have I looked at job adverts to find out more about what opportunities are out there?

 


What motivates you?

 

  • It may be that the higher remuneration packages of the corporate and financial services sector appeal to you, or maybe you’re looking to play an integral role in a not for profit organisation.
  • You may prefer the size and scale of a FTSE corporate, or the challenge of working in a growing SME.
  • You may enjoy diving into detailed numbers, being recognised as a specialist or having a broader role that spans the whole business.

 


What do I do next?


Ensuring your CV is up to date, effectively demonstrates your skills and experience and is tailored to the role and industry for which you are applying is key.

Then, once your skills get you through the door make sure you’re thoroughly prepared for that all important interview.

Speak to someone who knows the market. At Morgan Hunt, we understand what clients look for in newly qualified candidates, and have helped hundreds of candidates at your level with their career.

We offer you unbiased advice on what the current market conditions are across your sectors of interest, as well as provide some insight into the day-to-day roles you may be interested in pursuing.

Your skills are in demand – now is the time to make the most of them and further develop your career. Get in touch today – call Rob Anderson on 0207 419 8909 or email rob.anderson@morganhunt.com.

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