Career progression can be challenging. Below are our tips on how to move to the next level as an accountant.

How to get promoted as an Accountant

Here are a few tips on how to get promoted: 

• Take time to plan - successful accounting professionals know what they want, and they outline a strategy on how to get there whether it be becoming a senior accountant or an accounting partner. 
• Ask for feedback - formal feedback from your clients and more senior colleagues is a great way to help you understand your strengths and weaknesses. It also shows you are willing to improve.
• Be able to change and adapt - to grow your accounting career, you require flexibility and the ability to adapt to an ever-changing world.
• Work hard and smart - work effectively and efficiently; strategize and prioritize to save valuable time. Use accounting software to help be more efficient.
• Learn for now and the future - Read up on and be aware of relevant accounting events, changes, and trends, and acquire the necessary skills and relevant accounting/bookkeeping certifications that you will need to succeed in the future. 
• Network, network, network - You need to be networking in and out of work to help find opportunities to grow your accounting skills further. 
• Always be open to new opportunities - Even if you’re not looking for a new job, keeping your eyes and ears open never hurts. Sometimes, even when they don’t look like it, some opportunities can help you get to where you want to be.
• Have a consulting mindset - Consulting is a common trait among the most successful accountants. Ask yourself, “how can I add more value?”
• Be active on social media networks - If you build an online brand for yourself using social sites such as LinkedIn and Twitter, you can position yourself as an expert in your field.
• Find an accounting mentor - An outsider’s perspective and knowledge can help you reach your highest potential and achieve your goals like becoming a senior accountant or a partner.

How to become a Senior Accountant

Senior accountants need solid communication skills, a good grasp of available technology, organizational and analytical skills.

A senior management accountant oversees the accounting department of a company or organization. As a senior accountant, your responsibilities and duties could include managing all incoming and outgoing payments and ensuring all ledgers are kept accurate and updated. You may also conduct regular audits as well as supervise and manage the other accountants, bookkeepers, and clerks in your department. This is why it is important to get management experience if the opportunity presents itself.

Though some senior accountant positions require a master’s degree in accounting or a related field, some senior accountant jobs only need a bachelor’s degree or Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credentials in addition to significant job experience. 

If you are still wondering how to get promoted to the position of senior accountant, then the short answer is that you need a qualifying degree and experience in the accounting field. 

How to become an accounting partner

Getting to the position of an accountant partner represents a professional challenge for many accountants and is considered the top position to work towards in your career. 

A few pointers to consider if you are aiming for a partnership are:

• Developing the right career plan is essential - Plan for what you want and do not leave it to chance or luck. 
• Adopt a sales approach - If you understand that an accountancy practice is a business, the number one goal is to generate income for the partnership. This means that you need to show you have the ability to increase revenue for your firm.
• Networking - building a solid network can be critical to a successful career path.
• Developing management skills - This is a crucial skill that is highly valued if you want to be a partner.
• Cultivate technical competency - An accountant should keep up with current technology that can make the firm more efficient. To achieve this you could register your interest to get Quickbooks Online International Certification Training.

• Take ownership of projects - To become a partner it is important to take responsibility and ownership of projects to showcase your ability to lead and get projects completed successfully.
• Develop a specialization - Having a specialization in a niche will help in making you the go-to person to consult on issues in that niche, and will help in showcasing your reliability.
• Look for mentors - A good mentor can help with training and will be an advocate in helping you in getting to an accounting partnership position.

How to become an accounting consultant

An accounting consultant can serve as both a teacher and a guide for a business. Accounting consulting may include engagements that help clients improve their financial position, enhance their internal processes and procedures, and streamline their accounting protocols. Accounting consulting jobs may involve:

• Helping your business clients maintain efficient and accurate accounting practices.
• Providing your expertise to help clients understand the meaning behind their financial data and how those numbers affect their business. 
• Examining your clients’ profitability. 
• Developing or implementing consistent accounting practices for your clients. 

Some of the most common services that accounting consultants offer include:

• Financial forecasting
• Financial health evaluation and recommendations
• Year-end financial statement preparation
• Financial statement analysis, interpretation and evaluation
• Advising on regulatory compliance issues
• Profitability analysis
• Accounts payable analysis, including cash flow, workflow, and savings investigations
• Accounting service needs identification.
• Accounting process evaluation and system implementation

To become an accounting consultant, you should already have the relevant experience required for the job. You need to become an accounting specialist. This can only be obtained through years of experience in a similar field. 

Deciding then to start accounting consultancy, you can go two ways. You can work as a consultant within your current company or create your own consultancy. Starting your own consultancy would require you to advertise your services and attract new clientele.  

If you decide to start a consulting business, you may benefit from using the features of our online accounting software for accountants such as Quickbooks Online Accountant. Our software provides the innovation you need to get ahead. Sign up for free to use QuickBooks Online Accountant for your accounting firm.