Where Are You Heading In Your Accounting Career?

If you have invested the time and effort to get your professional accounting qualification, you have potential, without doubt.

Equally, I’ve noticed that many smart accountants, who sail through their exams, sometimes don’t always go on to achieve their potential.

Now let’s not pretend there is some magic trick that is going to help you be successful in your accounting career.

Yet there’s something that is really important when it comes to your career in accounting.

That one thing is about getting clarity about where you are heading in your accounting career.

Chances are this isn’t a question you have ever really considered (unless you are in the minority).

Part of the reason why you might not have considered this question might be that you worry that you are setting yourself up to fail.

Or something else.

The good news about this question is that there is no right or wrong answer to the question about where you are heading in your career.

It’s a personal choice.

A choice that’s influenced by a whole host of factors, including:

The Stage You Are At In Your Career

When starting out, money and earning more of it is probably more important.

You make job moves or pursue that promotion.

Later on it becomes more about challenge and the work itself.

Your Own Self Belief

We all to some extent have doubts.

And we all respond differently to our doubts.

I’ve noticed plenty of examples of people who maybe weren’t the most talented but had high levels of self belief and self confidence.

Your Attitude or Outlook

Whenever I was in Finance roles, my thinking was always about wondering whether I could do the role at the next level.

Some might call it curiosity.

Others might refer to it as positivity.

Whatever it is for you, attitude and outlook are important.

How Important Your Career Is To You

I’m sure your career is important to you.

Equally think about how it stacks up against other factors like family.

One thing I’ve noticed is that COVID-19 has resulted in many re-evaluating where there career sits in the bigger scheme of things.

So over to you.  Take some time to think about where you are heading in your accounting career and positive steps you can take to move towards where you want to get to.

About the Author Duncan Brodie

Since 2006 I’ve worked with in excess of 8,000 accountants and professionals in workshops, seminars and one to one helping them land their next jobs and become better leaders, presenters and business partners. Before that I spent 25 years in accountancy climbing the career ladder from Payments Clerk to FD. I’m a CIMA Fellow, Certified Professional Coach and Team Coach Facilitator.

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