In the UK, there are over 40,000 accountancy firms. This is hardly a surprising number. Accountants are always in demand, and the job is generally a secure 9-to-5.

However, many accountants are seeking to broaden their horizons with a career change. Accounting sometimes becomes monotonous, so seeking something new is not uncommon.

Knowing what transferable skills you have as an accountant and where new employment will be easiest to find can make changing your job a smoother process.

To find out more about an accountancy career change, take a look at the list below.

what do i need to do before changing careers?

The best thing to do before changing your accounting career is research. Find out what other roles or positions you may like and how their salary compares to your current income.

If you feel lost about what jobs might be right for you, consider what attracted you to accountancy in the first place. Maybe you enjoy following sets of rules and guidelines to determine a conclusion. Or perhaps you liked the knowledge that you'd be free every weekend and your role would be 9-to-5.

This kind of regularity is easy to predict and means you can make plans quite simply outside of your career. You may also have enjoyed accountancy because it offers the chance to work from home. As it is a computer-based career, working remotely is usually possible.

Finding new jobs can seem like a minefield. However, as long as you've done your research and considered what you want from a career, you can narrow down your search.

where can i find potential new roles?

Finding open positions is quite easy. The first place you should look is online. Simply typing the kind of job you want into your preferred search engine will give you countless results.

However, all these choices can be a little overwhelming, especially if you aren't sure what you want yet. You can narrow down your search by defining what salary you want or what area of work you'd like to go into.

Another way to find a new role is word-of-mouth. Asking colleagues for advice is often a great way to go. They'll be able to tell you what other roles might suit you best. They can also advise you on how to pick a new career that will offer you a similar salary.

what new roles do accountants usually go for?

This depends on you as a person. Making a career change comes down to what you want and what you value in a position.

If you want to stay in an area similar to accountancy, any business career might work for you. You will suit positions such as consultancy or business management, as your skills as an accountant will transfer easily to these roles.

If you want to do something more specific, such as becoming an actuary, you may need more qualifications. The degree you already hold will give you some transferable skills, but some professions will require more training.

You may want to do something completely different, such as exploring a more creative career. This change is a big one and can be daunting; however that shouldn't mean you don't pursue it.

For some new careers, you will have to start at the beginning again. But, if it's right for you, you shouldn't let a delay in the process stop you from going for it. Ensure you have enough savings to support yourself while you explore new career possibilities.

what's the career changing process like for a new accountant vs an experienced one?

This depends on the new career you have chosen. If you decide to stick with a career similar to accounting, you should use whatever experience you have to help you land a new role.

However, more senior positions are limited to those with more experience. This includes managers and auditors. While some additional training may still be required, having a long history of accounting experience will stand in your favour.

New accountants deciding to change careers should make note of the study they have put in to become a qualified accountant. Accountancy qualifications require commitment and dedication, and these are skills every area of employment prioritises.

what are accounting qualifications good for besides accounting?

Accountancy qualifications look good for many different kinds of careers. They show that you are willing to put in the work where it is needed. They also provide evidence that you can follow set rules very clearly.

Teacher

A teacher is an excellent career choice for those with an accounting qualification. As a former accountant, you'll already know how to be organised and to structure data. This will come in handy for lesson planning and great teaching.

You will have to get another qualification if you decide to teach, regardless of what educational level you are going for. But your accounting degree and training may mean you don't have to study for as long as someone without these criteria would.

Teachers also have a great work-life balance. They are guaranteed weekends and summers off, as well as bank holidays.

IT and Tech

As someone well versed in data handling and analysis, IT and tech careers are perfect for accountants. You may have to do some additional training, but you'll know your way around a computer already. This will be vital for getting started in IT and tech.

Social Worker

You might wonder how an accountant could make a good social worker. But social workers have to remain professional even in emotionally taxing cases. As an accountant, you can focus on one set of data at a time, which social workers need to be able to do.

The organisational skills that come from accounting experience are also vital for a career in social work. You could be dealing with many different cases at one time, and being able to separate them is important.

Trade and Construction

Careers in trade and construction require organisation, patience, and good time-keeping skills. As a trained accountant, you will already have these skills in place.

Knowing how to read data and visualise it in your head is a transferable skill needed in construction. Overseeing blueprint design and being able to see the outcome they will create will come naturally to those with an accounting degree.

An Accountancy Career Change Could Be Just What You Need

Changing careers is a scary process. Going from a good degree of certainty about your job to not knowing what the future holds is a big step.

By following the guidance above, an accountancy career change doesn't have to be daunting. As an accountant, you already have many of the skills other employment sectors are searching for. This will make getting a new job much easier.

To find out more about the options open to you as an accountant seeking a career change, take a look at this page. You can also contact the customer service team to answer any questions and dissolve any worries you may have.

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