What is accountancy?
Organisations of all types, sizes and locations around the world depend on accountants to provide them with financial information and advice about their businesses success.
Being an accountant is about understanding and communicating detailed financial information to clients and colleagues in an easy to understand way. Accountants are ambitious, talented and determined people who use their skills in the same way as lawyers, engineers or architects to find the best solution for their clients. |
Why is accountancy important?How else does an organisation know if they’re making a profit, how much they have spent and how long they can continue in business?
As an accountant, you will be at the very heart of businesses. You’ll get to know organisations inside out and will learn about the challenges they face. You’ll be analysing information, interpreting facts and figures, finding answers and solving problems and making business recommendations. As you progress your career, you’ll learn how to use your knowledge, skills and experience to make decisions that affect the strategy, direction and profitability of organisations in all industry sectors, around the world. |
Where could I work?
Where you go with your career depends on what you’re interested in, and the level you want to reach. Accountants are qualified individuals who work in organisations of all different types, sizes and locations – they can work internally in an organisation, or independently for a firm that advises organisations ranging from multi-nationals and global accountancy firms, to local charities and business start-ups. They are finance directors, partners, business analysts and CEO’s for organisations all around the world.
Accountants working for an independent firm of accountants, sometimes known as Professional Services, advise their clients on a range of business. These firms come in all shapes and sizes and some specialise in particular areas which can include the following:
Working in professional services will give you a great insight into how a variety of different businesses work. You will fully support your clients throughout the diverse range of issues, challenges and successes that they face on a regular basis.
Alternatively, you may choose to work in an accountancy or finance role in one of thousands of commercial, financial services, not for profit or charitable organisations. Roles in these organisations will vary depending on the size and type of the organisation, but you will be at the heart of the company. You’ll experience various aspects of financial management and reporting in addition to developing vital knowledge about IT, Marketing, Sales and Operations.
Don’t forget, as an accountant you will be valuable to any organisation. So you will have the opportunity to shape your career to suit your interests and you won’t have to stay in the same place forever. You can move to new locations, work for different businesses, learn new skills and face new challenges throughout your career.
Accountants working for an independent firm of accountants, sometimes known as Professional Services, advise their clients on a range of business. These firms come in all shapes and sizes and some specialise in particular areas which can include the following:
- audit/assurance
- business advisory
- corporate finance
- forensic accounting
- insolvency
- tax
Working in professional services will give you a great insight into how a variety of different businesses work. You will fully support your clients throughout the diverse range of issues, challenges and successes that they face on a regular basis.
Alternatively, you may choose to work in an accountancy or finance role in one of thousands of commercial, financial services, not for profit or charitable organisations. Roles in these organisations will vary depending on the size and type of the organisation, but you will be at the heart of the company. You’ll experience various aspects of financial management and reporting in addition to developing vital knowledge about IT, Marketing, Sales and Operations.
Don’t forget, as an accountant you will be valuable to any organisation. So you will have the opportunity to shape your career to suit your interests and you won’t have to stay in the same place forever. You can move to new locations, work for different businesses, learn new skills and face new challenges throughout your career.