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Accountant

As an Accountant, you will help individuals, businesses and organisations manage their money wisely. 

You’ll prepare and analyse financial records, track income and spending, and make sure finances are accurate and compliant with regulations. 

If you enjoy working with numbers, solving problems and helping people make informed decisions, accounting offers a rewarding career.

Accountant is also known as Finance Specialist, Accounting Professional.

Role Characteristics

  • Prepare financial statements and accounts
  • Monitor spending and budgets
  • Analyse the organisation's financial performance
  • Forecast and plan future spending and profits
  • Recommend ways to reduce costs and increase profits
  • Prepare financial reports for external organisations

Skills

  • Using data
  • Attention to detail
  • Record keeping
  • Decision-making
  • Organisation
  • Problem-solving
  • Communication
  • Team work

Day in the life

Watch this video to learn about the roles in Finance.

Routes into this role

Here are some example routes that can lead into this role.

  • GCSEs
  • BTEC, T-Level or A-Levels
  • Undergraduate degree
  • Foundation degree

How to become

To become an Accountant, you will usually need to gain a qualification in accounting, finance or a related subject. There are many ways to access university-level education, and you can explore lots of current opportunities in the section below.

You might:

  • Study A Levels, BTECs, or T Levels – useful subjects might include Mathematics, Business Studies, Economics, Accounting and Finance. Explore some current opportunities below.
  • Complete an Access to Higher Education course – a college course designed for adults who want to access higher education but do not have traditional qualifications such as A Levels.
  • Complete a Foundation Year – a year-long university course designed to prepare you for studying accounting, finance or business-related degrees if you do not have the required qualifications or grades to go straight into a degree.


You will then be ready to study at a university level. This can include:

  • Studying an undergraduate degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Management or a related subject.
  • Completing a Degree Apprenticeship – gain experience in the workplace while studying towards a qualification in accounting or finance.


To progress as a professionally qualified accountant, you may choose to gain accreditation through a recognised professional body such as:

  • Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
  • Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
  • Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)
  • Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT)


Professional qualifications route – some employers support trainees to study professional accounting qualifications such as AAT, ACCA, CIMA or ICAEW while working.

Where can this role lead

As an Accountant you could use your skills to specialise in areas such as data analysis, business analysis or information governance; move sideways into project management, HR or communications; progress into leadership roles such as Service Manager or Transformation Lead; or move closer to working directly with people through careers such as Debt Advisor.

Location

  • Offices
  • Community Settings
  • Schools, colleges and universities
  • Prisons
  • Opticians
  • Armed Forces
  • Care Homes
  • GP Practices
  • At Home

Working hours

  • Weekdays
  • Part Time
  • Full Time
  • Casual Hours
  • Overtime
  • Flexible Hours

Opportunities

Two people smiling whilst working Woman in facemask working
Access to university
BSc Accounting and Finance with Foundation Year
This four-year course includes an initial full-time Foundation Year and offers an alternative route into university and gaining a degree.
Organisation
Leeds Trinity University
View opportunity
Apprenticeships
Level 2 Accounts or Finance Assistant Apprenticeship
The Accounts or Finance Assistant Level 2 Apprenticeship is an ideal starting point for individuals looking to begin or develop a career in the finance sector. 
Organisation
Calderdale College
View opportunity
BTECs, T-levels or A-levels
Leeds City College Business and Events courses
Find BTEC, T-Level and A-Level courses in Business and Events at Leeds City College.
Organisation
Leeds City College
View opportunity
BTECs, T-levels or A-levels
T Level Accounting
If you have a passion to start a career in Accounting this T-Level offers an exciting alternative to A levels and Apprenticeships.
Organisation
Leeds City College
View opportunity
Apprenticeships
Level 2 Accounts or Finance Assistant Apprenticeship
The Accounts or Finance Assistant Level 2 Apprenticeship is an ideal starting point for individuals looking to begin or develop a career in the finance sector. 
Organisation
Calderdale College
View opportunity
Job Opportunities
NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme
Apply for a two-year graduate development programme in finance, HR, data or operational management.
Organisation
Graduate Management Training Scheme
View opportunity
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