Chartered certified accountant : Career development

Career development is often dependent on trainees progressing through their professional qualifications and gaining work experience. Even when qualified all chartered certified accountants are expected to keep their knowledge and skills up to date to meet the changing needs of the market. Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)  is about lifelong learning and so offers its members a range of career management resources as they develop their career. It is up to the member to decide how they want to engage and how often.

Chartered certified accountants can often be given considerable responsibility early on, such as being given specific projects to manage, staff to supervise or control of work with more prestigious clients. They may also progress their career by diversifying or specialising in a particular area, such as audit, risk management, insolvency or forensic accountancy.

Once qualified, ACCA accountants can attain a practicing certificate to serve their own clients. Those working in private practice may expect to gain a partnership within ten years of qualification. In commerce, ACCA-qualified staff may take on higher responsibilities within a finance department or move into a more strategic business development role, depending on their professional interests and experience.

The ACCA qualification covers a broad syllabus that includes both finance and management skills. This means that chartered certified accountants can transfer their knowledge and skills into different job roles and business areas. Because of the strong emphasis on strategic business management within the ACCA training scheme, it is possible for chartered certified accountants to move into business management or consultancy. Many also go on to set up their own businesses.