A multitude of career paths

It's important as an ACA student that you realize when you achieve full membership the world now opens up in terms of options and opportunities and there is a wide variety of different paths you can explore. Below outlines a brainstorm of the different routes that will be open to you post qualification laid out as simply as possible for you to consider.

OVERVIEW :

Practice - why not build your entire career through practice up to partner level either in audit,  consulting, tax, risk or the many advisory positions.

Industry – there are a multitude of routes and stepping stones leading to CFO, head of internal audit, managing director and Head of Finance.

Financial Services – funds, banking, insurance, aircraft leasing! Why not build a Career to the top level in any of these sectors ?

Other - build an international career, move into operations, develop your leadership qualities, become an expert communicator or conversely decide stuff work is only a small piece of the life puzzle and that getting halfway up the career ladder is as far as you want to go to allow for a work life balance. The options are yours.

DETAIL / LISTS  :

Practice : If you are in a Big 4 firm perhaps move division and get exposure to a variety of different areas eg consulting, Corporate Finance, TS, Accounts Preparation. Work with different and varied clients. Nowadays many strong Chartered Accountants can achieve directorship within five or six years and start knocking on the door of partnership quickly. Be mindful that it becomes harder to move out of practice into industry beyond manager level albeit not impossible. A career in practice is rewarding and secure for the most part and has the variety of working with different clients. To become a Partner you will need to have a business development acumen.

Industry – Some typical jobs on the rush to CFO, CEO or senior management positions in industry include:

Financial accountant | financial analyst | finance business partner | internal auditor | project manager |systems accountant | FPNA accountant |risk analyst | financial reporting accountant | financial controller | senior financial accountant | management accountant |commercial accountant | tax accountant | accounting manager | finance manager | sustainability accountant | assistant financial controller | finance director | senior accountant |  general Ledger accountant | group financial accountant | treasury accountant | finance systems specialist | finance operations manager| finance transformation and change accountant | senior FPNA manager | international accounting controller | internal audit manager | corporate tax manager | private equity accountant| manufacturing finance lead | european tax manager | technical accountant | indirect tax manager | corporate finance manager | business controller | group accountant | transfer pricing manager | commercial finance manager | revenue accountant | compliance manager | internal controls accountant | risk manager | deputy CFO | project accountant |contract accountant.

Financial Services – The FS space has many varied and international sounding job titles and it’s a broad landscape with many niche and expert avenues you can go down . Some titles that are particular to the financial services sector include :

fiduciary accountant | aviation finance specialist | real estate fund accounting  | client accountant | Asset servicing accountant | Private Equity Accountant |Shared Services Accounting Manager | Senior Investment Manager | Fund Accounting Supervisor | Reporting Accountant | Company Secretary | Reporting Accountant | Property Accountant | Credit Analyst | VP of Treasury |   Client Manager | Financial Advisor | AP Supervisor | Public Sector Accountant | Operational Risk Specialist | AML Compliance Analyst | Investment Consultant | Finance Transformation Manager | Pension Accountant | Intercompany Accountant | Equity Fund accounting Supervisor | Equity research analyst | Credit Risk Analyst AVP | Cybersecurity assurance lead | Regulatory Accountant | Fund Accounting Manager | Head of Financial Risk | Transfer Agency Accountant | Investment Associate | Sr internal Auditor |

Like the Industry list above this is far from exhaustive but gives you a flavour of the variety of paths you can choose.

Other -  other options for fully qualified Chartered Accountants beyond practice, industry and FS are wide and varied. Everything from film & media accountant to working in charities around the world. The world is your oyster with the ACA brand behind you. Post qualification you can test the waters in a variety of avenues that feel you might enjoy. You can play to your strengths which could mean moving into Sales, moving into Systems & IT or you may feel you have an aptitude for operational & commercial management and leadership. Perhaps you're an entrepreneur and want to set up your own business! Start doing a career audit now and connect with your Careers Team in Chartered Accountants Ireland if you need some guidance to help you on the path your best path.

Dave Riordan (ACA)

Careers & Recruitment Specialist

Chartered Accountants Ireland Careers Team