All great accounting careers need to start somewhere. For most employees, the path to progression begins with an entry-level position. Over time, as you develop your skills and knowledge, you can apply for promotions and higher-paid roles.
After a while in the accounting industry, you may feel you have the leadership skills, knowledge, and expertise to thrive in a managerial role. A position as a manager can be an excellent way to increase your earning potential, showcase your knowledge, and unlock greater job satisfaction.
However, figuring out how to move into your first accounting manager position can be challenging.
Here are some of the top tips you can use to improve your chances of a new leader-level job.
Step 1: Excel in Your Current Role and Do Your Research
To achieve any promotion in the accounting landscape, you first need to show your manager how great you are at what you do. Managers need significant expertise and experience in the field they’re going to be supervising. Showing your leaders, you’re a capable, and accomplished member of the team will make them more likely to see your potential as a manager.
While you’re working on demonstrating your value in your current position, it’s worth doing some research. Find out what kind of skills the current managers in your accounting company have, and determine whether there are any gaps you’ll need to fill in your own abilities.
It can also be helpful to look at how your company handles internal movement and promotions. Are there certain times of year when your employers make decisions about who should be moved into leadership roles? Finding out in advance will help you to decide when to approach your employer about any management opportunities.
Step 2: Develop Your Managerial Skills
There’s more to thriving in a managerial position than being an expert in the accounting industry. There’s a good chance you’ll need to develop some crucial new skills to prove you can succeed in a managerial role.
The research you’ve done into the other managers in your company should help you to determine which talents matter most to your business. However, some of the most common managerial skills you may need to develop include:
Leadership skills: Learn how to motivate, inspire, and engage other employees by taking on the leader position in group tasks and volunteering for opportunities to take charge.
Decision making skills: You’ll need to be able to effectively analyse situations and respond to different scenarios with confidence.
Organisational skills: Demonstrate your organisational skills by ensuring you always meet with deadlines, and deliver punctual work.
Interpersonal skills: Work on your emotional intelligence and communicate regularly with leaders and other colleagues in your accounting business.
Problem-solving skills: Show your ability to respond creatively to problems by suggesting solutions to issues in team meetings.
It’s also helpful to invest in your continued accounting education. Earning new certifications and accreditation will demonstrate your expertise in your industry and help to differentiate you as a potential leader.
Step 3: Show Initiative
Often, proving you’re ready for an accounting management job means making sure you take advantage of every opportunity to showcase your expertise and abilities. This means you’re going to need to take initiative if you want to stand out.
Volunteer for tasks a manager might normally do, like taking charge of a team project, or helping your boss with a challenge most people would rather avoid. Rather than waiting for your supervisors to offer you training and development opportunities, seek out your own educational strategies to develop the skills you know are crucial to your company.
You can even demonstrate your leadership capabilities outside of your current role, by taking on leadership positions in non-profit organisations, and sharing your volunteering experiences with your company leaders.
Step 4: Ask for the Position
Once you’ve had a chance to demonstrate your abilities, build your skillsets and connect with the supervisors in your workplace, it’s time to ask for your new role. Arrange a time to meet with your boss face-to-face or over video so you can discuss your career progression opportunities.
During this meeting, you’ll need to be prepared to explain why you’re ready for this new challenge and provide as much evidence as possible. Highlighting your recent accomplishments and drawing attention to the managerial skills you’ve developed will be useful here. If possible, it’s always a good idea to have relationships with other accounting managers in your team who can vouch for you.
If your employer doesn’t think you’re ready for a manager role yet, or there isn’t a space available for you to move into, ask what the next step is. Work with your boss to figure out what you need to do to transition into your ideal role.
Step 5: Be Prepared to Switch Companies
Finally, if you’re committed to becoming an accounting manager, it’s important to be flexible. The reality is, even if you do all the work and prove yourself to your existing employer, there may not be a leadership opportunity available in your current company.
Unless your boss is looking for a manager to fill a role after another team member has left, there’s a good chance they won’t be able to find the budget to create a new position just for you. With this in mind, you may need to look elsewhere for your management job.
Work with an accounting recruitment agency to track down positions relevant to your expertise and experience. Your recruitment team will be able to help you find a new job that not only offers you the manager responsibilities you want, but the company culture and benefits you need too.
Hedley Scott Recruitment offer complimentary and confidential career conversations. Contact one of our team here.