9,056
jobs advertised
£22,000
estimated starting salary
£30,000
estimated salary
An Accountant’s main role is to prepare a business’ accounts, which can then be used to give an overview of their financial status. By tracking all of a company’s financial transactions, any irregularities or risks can be reported, and the business can plan better moving forward.
Although specific responsibilities vary from industry to industry, the role of an Accountant will usually include the following:
- Tracking and examining company income and expenditure
- Running payroll, and conducting audits
- Identifying and investigating financial risks or irregularities (including losses or suspected fraud)
- Giving advice on budgeting and making recommendations on how to increase profit
- Calculating tax owed and filing tax returns
The success of an Accountant is heavily dependent on their numerical ability. You will need to have a passion for mathematics, and a close attention to detail. You will also be able to work well under pressure, especially when approaching financial deadlines.
Other key skills and attributes include:
- Excellent analytical skills
- Financial acumen
- Good organisational skills
- A natural flair for problem solving
- An excellent understanding of accounting principles
Accountant
Up to 35,000
Finance Manager
Up to 50,000
Finance Director
Up to 100,000
I always excelled at Maths at school, so I knew that I wanted to go into a career that was numbers-based. The best thing about being an Accountant is the respect the position comes with. Your decisions and recommendations are extremely important to the business, and I feel like my job is a vital part of the process.
Get qualified
You won’t need a degree to become an Accountant, although an AAT qualification may be considered essential by most employers. The AAT Level 2 will get you to grips with all you need to know, and is perfect for anyone without any experience in the industry. The ACCA Level 4 Diploma will help you further any prior studies you may have had within the Accounting field and are a great way to quantify your skills.
AAT Level 2 Foundation Certificate
This foundation course is your first step into accountancy. No prerequisites to get started, and no prior knowledge of accounting needed to enrol. Fast track your finance career now.
The ACCA Level 4 course in Accounting provides the ideal basis for a successful accounting and finance career. Develop your prior knowledge and upskill yourself with the most up-to-date accounting processes.
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