In the Accounting landscape, people are beginning to seek new jobs, focusing on finding the best remuneration, work/life balance, company culture, and growth opportunities. According to a survey shared in Entrepreneur, approximately 46% of workers plan on finding a new position in 2023.
If you’re going to take the next step in your career path this year, it’s important to think carefully about how you will make the right impression from day one.
The first 30 days in a new role can be both nerve-wracking and exciting experiences. There are new processes and technologies to get used to, new people to meet, and new expectations to live up to.
Knowing how to orient yourself in the first month in your new position not only improves your chances of impressing your boss, but it could also mean you start experiencing the full benefits of your new job much faster.
Step 1: Form Crucial Connections
Internal networking is one of the most important things you can do during your first 30 days in a new role. Getting to know the people you work with will improve your experience within your new accounting business and make you feel more comfortable in your position.
Communicating with others is also a great way to capture the attention of your managers and senior leaders. During your first couple of weeks with a new firm, find out who you will be working with regularly, and commit some time to get to know each colleague.
It’s also worth finding out who you should be approaching if you have questions or concerns about your role. Discover when your contacts are most likely to be available, and determine how they prefer to communicate (E.g. in person, email, chat, or video).
Step 2: Learn as Much as You Can
During your first month with a new accounting firm, you’ll have a lot of learning to do. You’ll need to become familiar with the internal processes you’re expected to follow, the policies you must adhere to, and the general workflow of the people around you.
Focus on expanding your knowledge in areas relevant to your role. For instance, asking for more information about the customers your business serves or how your team manages projects and deadlines might be beneficial. Read up on the documentation given to you during your onboarding session, and consider asking for extra training if necessary.
It’s also worth paying attention to your surroundings, so you can learn how to embed yourself into the company culture. Consider the firm’s values and how you can showcase them in your work. Ask yourself how people communicate and collaborate so you know what to expect when connecting with others.
Step 3: Confirm Expectations
Hopefully, during the hiring and onboarding process, your accounting firm will have given you some insights into what kind of work will be expected of you and how that work will be assessed. However, it may be helpful to confirm the expectations of your manager or supervisor with them.
Arrange for a one-on-one meeting with your manager if this has not been covered during the onboarding process, where you can discuss exactly what your leaders will be looking for when evaluating your work. Make a list of key performance metrics your business will monitor when assessing you.
It might be helpful to arrange additional meetings with your manager, bi-weekly or monthly, during the first stages of starting your new role. This will allow you to collect feedback and ensure you’re adhering to the expectations set for you.
Step 4: Find the Best Time to Ask Questions
When starting a new accounting role, it’s tempting to ask many questions straight away. Asking questions is a great way to learn and show you’re invested in succeeding in your new position.
However, there’s a time, a place to ask, and a time when you need to listen.
Focus most of your time on what’s happening around you. If you have questions or need clarification, write down what you need to know. Prioritise the information you need first and ask yourself when it might be best to put certain questions off until you have a chance to meet with your manager face-to-face.
Step 5: Constantly Demonstrate Your Value
Once you know what’s expected of you in your new role and clearly understand the firm’s vision and mission, you can begin to demonstrate your value. During the first 30 days of a new accounting role, you have a unique opportunity to prove to your hiring manager that they made the right choice when selecting you.
Start implementing strategies for quick wins based on what you know about how your work will be evaluated. For instance, if you know your manager is concerned about ensuring projects are completed on time, plan your schedule carefully, and keep them up-to-date with your progress as you complete each task.
Show your commitment to constantly improving and growing by volunteering for extra training sessions, asking for a mentor to guide you, or requesting feedback whenever possible.
The first 30 days in a new accounting role can often feel complex and overwhelming, but it’s an excellent opportunity to learn, grow, and demonstrate your value.
Hedley Scott Recruitment offer complimentary and confidential career conversations. Contact one of our team here.