How to Build Your Career as an Accountant 

Accounting is a profession that may always be relevant as long as finances are important. Whether for individuals or large corporations, they offer a consistent service. If you’ve decided to follow the accounting route, then you know just how valuable your services are. As with every career path, you may be thinking about how you can grow and further develop your career. There are multiple steps that you can take depending on the direction you want to go in and the heights in your career you want to reach. Here are tips on how you can build your career as an accountant on that note.

Set Specific Goals

Before building a career as an accountant, it’s crucial that you know where you see yourself in the next couple of years. Set specific goals that outline what you want to accomplish, and when you want to do it by. The two tips below should help when you’re setting specific goals. 

• Set SMART Goals: As mentioned above, when setting career goals, it’s essential that they’re SMART. This means setting goals that are easy to measure, attainable, and have a set timeline. In doing so, monitoring your progress will be much easier to do as you climb up the career ladder.  
• Be Accountable: Aside from the mentioned, accountability is another major factor to consider if you want to achieve your career goals. Find someone who you know can help hold you accountable so that you follow through on your goals. This can be done by having weekly check-ins where you tell them what you’ve accomplished or by reporting yourself to them when you’re slacking.

Get Certified 

To advance your accounting credentials, you should think about furthering your education. This will give you more credibility as an accountant as well as ensure you’re recognized as a professional. Start by getting an online accounting certificate which provides coursework and hours required for you to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination. The good thing about doing this is that you have the option of flexible learning, which is ideal if you’re going to be working and studying. By getting all of the education and qualifications you need, you improve your brand and increase your earning potential. 

Consider Mentorship 

Getting a mentor as an accountant could do you a lot of good. This is especially true if you find one who has accomplished much of what you hope to. They should be able to guide you through and give you advice to help advance your career. When looking for a mentor, be sure to work on your emotional intelligence as a result of the sometimes, informal nature of mentorship relationships. Ensure you’re adding value and being cautious of their time as well. 

Find Your Niche 

As an accountant, it helps when you know what niche you want to follow. This can help with career progression as you have a direction that you’re moving in. You could, for instance, be a tax accountant, forensic accountant, auditor, or financial accountant. Decide what your area of interest is and capitalize on that. However, know that there is always room for flexibility, and changing your mind is okay too.