How To Find a New Job in Accounting

When looking for an accounting job or making a career change into the field, first take inventory of your skills and knowledge. Next, make sure to thoroughly research the industry. From there, set benchmarks for yourself, seek the guidance of others in the profession, and explore niche accounting areas accessible through certifications.??

By Helen Harris ?

You’ve decided you want to enter the field of accounting. Maybe you have a general idea of how to land your dream role, or maybe you have no idea where to start.?

In either case, the first step is to gain clarity on where you are in your career. Then gain an understanding of the accounting field and your applicable skills. Last, put together an action plan for how to begin your job hunt.??

Understand the Spectrum of Accounting?

As stated by Earl Stice and Jim Stice in their LinkedIn Learning video , accounting uses financial information from the past to make decisions in the present to change the future. The brothers stress the links between accounting, decision-making, business performance and financial health.?

They advise that there are four different types of accounting (bookkeeping, financial accounting, managerial accounting and income tax accounting).?

Sarah Johnston , executive resume writer, interview coach, founder of Briefcase Coach, keynote speaker and LinkedIn Learning instructor, also recommends that jobseekers pursuing the field of accounting thoroughly research the field online and talk to professionals in the field to get a better understanding of what to expect.?

“I would encourage someone to look at the profession 5, 10 and 15 years out from where they are,” said Johnston. “Then, do exploratory research to consider the average market compensation for your desired profession at those 5-, 10- and 15-year benchmarks.”??

Now that you have a clear understanding of what accounting is and the branches it encompasses, you can better pinpoint the skills required to perform the duties of the jobs you might be considering.?

Start the Job Hunt by Identifying Relevant Skills?

Johnston stresses that a job seeker should evaluate the skills that an employer values and read the job description carefully before applying for the position.?

Also, don’t be afraid to reach out to those in the accounting roles you want and ask for tips on how to get there.?

“Consider doing a few informational interviews to learn from individuals doing the role [you want] so that you can tailor your own messaging to the needs of the organization,” said Johnston. “Once you are clear on what the organization needs, you can mirror their language in the way you describe your skill set.”

However, what if you don’t have an accounting background and are looking to enter this career field??

Some top hard and soft skills companies and hiring managers look for, when hiring candidates in the field include the following, as reported by Mercer Bradley:??

Hard skills:?

• Proficiency in using accounting software programs
• Knowing how to prepare and interpret financial statements and other reports
• Developing efficient financial reporting methods?
• Planning and implementing accounting controls
• Collaborating with regulators and external auditors
• Remaining current on accounting issues and changes in industry regulations
• Strictly adhering to regulations, procedures and practices

Soft skills:?

• Business acumen?
• Leadership skills?
• Communication skills?
• Relationship building?
• Intellectual curiosity

Johnston adds to the list, mentioning that successful accountants typically have strong analytical skills (hard skill), and are often organized (soft), methodical (hard) and great at strategy work (hard). And if you are looking to make a career change into the accounting industry, she encourages leveraging these individual strengths in your future job search and career. ?

And as for beginning the job search, Johnston states that an effective job-search strategy includes making a plan, identifying target companies, searching for decision-makers and influencers and making purposeful outreach.

“I recommend tracking all of your job-search effort in an excel spreadsheet,” said Johnston. “Using a spreadsheet is a good way to measure your progress and setbacks and can help you gauge how best to spend your time and resources.”?

Bolster Your Job Search by Earning Additional Certifications?

Why do professionals in accounting have certifications??

As business.com explains — because certifications indicate specialized knowledge, which can help clients hire the right accountant for their needs and can help with the following:?

• Enhancing your professional reputations.
• Supporting your continued professional development.
• Demonstrate your high level of commitment to the field.
• Validating your skills and knowledge.
• Communicating your credibility.
• Increasing your opportunities for career advancement and increased earnings.
• Differentiating candidates in a competitive job market.

“The most common designation for accounting professionals is a CPA,” said Johnston. “Many senior accounting positions require a CPA. Depending on your interests and future career targets, it may make sense to get a more niche certification.”

For instance, Johnston states that if you are interested in doing work in financial crimes, you should explore a certified fraud examiner (CFE). But if you are interested in doing more financial advising, it may make sense to get a CFP certification.

A few other certifications include Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) certification offered by the Association of Government Accountants (AGA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA) certification offered by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification offered by The CFA Institute and earning the Enrolled Agent (EA) credential which is a credential administered by the IRS.

But if you feel overwhelmed with the options, business.com reports that certifications are usually connected to specializations in the accounting and financial fields. So, when looking into possible certifications, first consider which areas of finance and accounting interest you the most. Courses are available across all the various certifications in colleges and other educational institutions.

Or, as Johnston advises, once you’ve identified your skills and desired path — you can always seek the guidance of a career coach to help you land your dream job in accounting.?

“Once you’ve decided that your skills, interests, and personal values align with the career path, then it could make sense to engage a career coach to help you strategize about best practices and strategies to land your dream job.”??

Top Takeaways?

How To Find a New Job in Accounting?

• When looking for a job in accounting, first gain clarity on where you are right now in your career, understand the accounting field and your applicable skills? — and then put together an action plan for how to start your job hunt.??
• There are four different types of accounting (bookkeeping, financial accounting, managerial accounting and income tax accounting).
• An effective job-search strategy includes making a plan, identifying target companies, searching for decision-makers and influencers and making purposeful outreach.
• Successful accountants typically have strong analytical skills (hard skill), and are often organized (soft), methodical (hard) and great at strategy work (hard).?
• Certifications indicate specialized knowledge, which can help clients hire the right accountant for their needs.
• When looking into possible certifications, first consider which areas of finance and accounting interest you the most.?