Qualifying as an Accountant

To work particularly as an accountant and in the financial services as a whole, you need to possess some designated skills and knowledge. These are:-

Excellent communication skills - both oral and written.

Numerical ability

A logical, analytical approach to your work.

Ability to work with many different people.

Patient and persistence.

Drive and motivation.

Self-discipline.

The ability to prioritise workload.

Many firms, and particularly the 'big four' named in the section above will require a very high level of UCAS points and a outstanding academic record generally. A degree of at least a 2:1 classification will normally be required and related work experience is a huge bonus.

Unlike, some professions, when you enter accountancy graduates can often expect fairly high salaries. In London is greater than the rest of the UK but can fall in the range of £25,000. Smaller firms are likely to pay a bit less. However, there are other considerations to think about than simply your salary. You should look at the training opportunities a perspective employer can offer as well as the actual working environment.

The ultimate aim is partnership in a firm but this can take many years to achieve, particularly in a large organisation. However, salaries for qualified and experienced accountants are generally good and normally in the range of £46,000.