Careers in accounting

A career that adds things up

Numbers are part of it. People, ideas and problem-solving are too. Find out what accountants actually do, the routes in and the roles you could grow into.

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Three women gathered around a laptop at a table, discussing work and holding mugs in a bright office.

What does an accountant do?

Accountants help people and organisations understand their finances, meet important responsibilities and make confident decisions. In a typical week, that might mean:

Keeping records right

Reconciling a business's bank accounts so its records are accurate.

Paying people

Running payroll and making sure staff are paid correctly and on time.

VAT returns

Preparing and submitting a VAT return to HMRC.

Year-end accounts

Pulling together year-end accounts and a tax return.

Cash flow forecasts

Building a forecast so a founder knows what they can afford.

Explaining the numbers

Picking up the phone to explain the figures in plain English.

How can I get there?

You can start after school, college or university. There is no single right route.

  • 1

    Apprenticeship

    Earn while you learn, gain workplace experience and study towards a recognised accounting qualification. Accounting apprenticeships run from entry level (Level 2) up to professional level (Level 7).

  • 2

    College or A-levels

    Build skills in subjects such as maths, business or economics, then move into work, an apprenticeship or further study.

  • 3

    University

    Study accounting, finance or a related subject. A degree can lead to graduate roles, but it is not the only way in.

  • 4

    Start in a junior role

    Accounts assistant or bookkeeping roles can be a first step, with on-the-job training and further qualifications.

Qualifications you may hear about

The best fit depends on the work you want to do, and your employer may support your study.

AAT

Practical accounting and bookkeeping skills. A common starting point, often studied alongside work.

ACCA

Broad professional accountancy, recognised in practice and in business worldwide.

CIMA

Management accounting: budgets, forecasts, performance and business decisions.

ACA (ICAEW)

Chartered accountancy, often with an audit or practice focus.

What kinds of jobs are there?

Different roles suit different interests.

Bookkeeper or accounts assistant

Keep records organised in cloud software, process invoices and reconcile bank accounts.

Payroll specialist

Run payroll, handle pension auto-enrolment and make sure people are paid correctly and on time.

VAT specialist

Look after VAT registrations and returns so businesses know what they owe and when.

Accountant or tax adviser

Prepare year-end accounts and tax returns, and help clients understand and meet their obligations.

Management accountant

Turn financial information into budgets, forecasts and reports that help people decide what to do next.

Finance director

Shape plans and guide big decisions, often working part-time with several growing businesses.

What strengths and interests could help?

You do not need to be brilliant at every subject. Curiosity and a willingness to learn count for more.

Curious

You enjoy asking why.

Accurate

You notice the details.

Organised

You keep track of tasks and deadlines.

A problem-solver

You look for patterns and work things out.

A people person

You can explain things clearly.

Digital

You feel at home with technology.

Myth vs reality

The myth

"Accountants just do maths."

The reality

People, insight and impact

You ask questions, spot what matters and help someone decide what to do next

The calculations are often the easy part. Understanding the business behind them is where the job gets interesting

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to be good at maths?

You need to be comfortable with numbers, but most of the work uses everyday arithmetic and software. Being careful, organised and curious matters more than top grades in maths.

Do I need a degree?

No. Many accountants start through an apprenticeship or a junior role and qualify while they work. A degree is one route, not the only one.

Can I study while I work?

Yes. Most people in the profession study for qualifications such as AAT, ACCA or CIMA alongside their job, and employers often support it.

I am changing career. Is it too late?

Not at all. Experience from other jobs, especially dealing with customers or running things, is useful in accounting.

Building your career at Elm

At Elm you see the whole of a business's finances, not one narrow slice, and you learn from qualified people who do the work every day.

Real variety

Our clients range from first-time founders and the newly self-employed to established businesses, some of whom have been with us since 1994.

The full finance function

Bookkeeping, payroll, VAT, year-end accounts, tax, research and development claims, SEIS and EIS support, management reporting and finance director work, all under one roof.

Modern tools

We work in cloud accounting software, so you build the skills employers across the profession are looking for.

Learn from qualified people

Our team includes CIMA and ACCA qualified accountants.

A friendly, local team

Our office is at Holt Hall in Tansley, just outside Matlock, in the Derbyshire Dales.

Schools and colleges

Teachers and careers leads are welcome to get in touch about careers talks, careers fairs or questions from students.

Interested in working at Elm?

We are not advertising any roles right now, but we are always happy to hear from people interested in a career in accounting. Email your CV and a few lines about yourself with "Careers" in the subject line, and we will keep it on file for when something opens up.

Email us your CVNeed accounting help?

Elm Financial Solutions, Holt Hall, Holt Lane, Tansley, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 3LY · 07966 795440 · info@elmfinancial.co.uk