A Guide to Accounting Careers
Forget everything you thought you knew about accountants. The job today is less about crunching numbers and more about using AI and cloud tools to solve real business problems, and it pays seriously well. Read on to discover what you could earn, how to get in and whether it's the right move for you.
What does an accountant actually do, and is it right for me?
Accountants are the people businesses trust to look after their money: where it’s coming from, where it’s going and how it can help the company grow. They help businesses make smart decisions, keep investors confident and spot any risks before they become real problems.
Your day-to-day will depend on where you’re working and your scheme, but there are loads of tasks you’ll get on with, including:
Keeping track of every financial transaction (bookkeeping)
Working with clients or other departments to chase and check information
Helping prepare financial statements and reports (these include: balance sheets, income statements and cash flow)
Assisting with audits by checking that records are accurate and up-to-date.
Here’s what one finance accounting graduate got up to during their time with RSM:
Moving into the technical team allowed me to explore more complex areas of accounting and try new things. I was originally in the financial reporting team but was supported to move across when I showed an interest in more technical areas. I am responsible for helping to prepare technical memos and accounting schedules for clients, helping to explain a more complex area of accounting, such as group reorganisations. Graduate Financial Accounting and Advisory Specialist Supervisor, RSM
So now you know what you might get up to; you’re probably wondering if it’s actually the career for you. Let’s explore.
IS THIS YOU?
You’re into the fine details
You're super organised
You’re good with people, not just numbers
You love solving problems
FORGET WHAT YOU'VE HEARD
“You need to be a maths genius.” Nope. Most of the maths is actually pretty straightforward. You’ll use basic arithmetic, ratios, percentages and simple formulas.
“It’s only spreadsheets.” Nope. You’ll actually work on a lot of interesting projects, and you’ll meet all kinds of people.
THE HONEST BIT
Accounting can be demanding and the hours can be long, but you won’t do it alone. You’ll work in teams and alongside real people, not just on a computer.
YOU'RE IN IT FOR THE LONG RUN
Businesses need accountants, and right now the UK doesn't have enough of them, so you'll land in a career that'll actually last. And no, AI isn't replacing accountants; it just takes the repetitive bits off your plate.
How much can I earn?
So what’s actually in it for your bank account? A lot. Accountancy really is a high-paying industry, and that can start as early as being an apprentice; it all depends on where you’re working and what level you’re at. Here’s a breakdown of what you could earn during work experience:
Some top firms pay a lot more, with schemes reaching around £36,000 per year. Once you qualify, your earning potential grows a lot.
As a newly qualified accountant, you could earn around £41,000 per year, which can move up to around £50,000 once you’ve had a couple of years in the game. The more experience you gain and the further up the ladder you go, the more you'll earn (up to £200,000 for finance director or CFO roles).
Now that you know how much you could get paid, let's explore the types of valuable hands-on experience that'll help you jumpstart your career journey.
How do I get work experience in accounting?
If a career in accounting is where you want to go, there's a route in with your name on it. Whether you're a school leaver ready for an apprenticeship or a uni student after a placement or grad scheme, there's a way that fits exactly where you're at.
Click below to find out more about each one.
Accounting Apprenticeships
If you're interested in a rewarding career after leaving school, an accounting apprenticeship could be just the path you’re looking for.
Accounting Degree Apprenticeships
An accounting degree apprenticeship lets you become an accountant without going to university
Accounting Graduate Schemes
A guide to accounting graduate schemes and how to secure one. Find out when to apply, which firms you could work for and how to become chartered
Accounting Internships
If you’re in your first or second year of university, an accounting internship will give you the experience you need.
Accounting Placements
Thinking about becoming an accountant? If you’re in your first or second year of university, an accounting placement is exactly what you need. Placements are your golden ticket to becoming work-ready before you graduate.
Actuarial Consulting
Find out what actuarial consulting is and how you can land a role - including through internships, apprenticeships and graduate schemes
What could you specialise in?
Accounting isn’t just one job; there are so many directions you can take. It’s all about finding what suits you. Here are six of the main types of accounting you could specialise in.
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING
You’ll be putting together the full picture of a company’s finances by creating statements and reports that show how a business is doing. Perfect if you’re a numbers person, like structure and getting things right.
MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING
You’ll help turn numbers into business decisions by spotting problems, setting budgets and helping the people in charge work out their next move. If you’re all about looking forward and want to make a real impact on a business, this is exactly where you should be.
COST ACCOUNTING
You’ll get into how much things actually cost to make or deliver to find out which products and services are making money and which aren’t. Great if you’re interested in getting into the finer details of what drives costs and helping businesses level up internally.
TAX
You’ll help businesses (and sometimes people) pay the right amount of tax and stay on the right side of HMRC. If you like problem-solving, creating strategies and working within a clear set of rules, a career in tax is perfect for you.
FORENSIC ACCOUNTING
You’ll investigate fraud tracing where funds have gone and help settle disputes, sometimes even in court. This role is perfect if you’re into digging for answers, spotting things that don’t add up and even doing a bit of detective work.
AUDIT
You’ll work across a range of businesses, making sure their accounts are accurate. Think of it like being an accountant’s fact checker, helping businesses get it right. Audit is also one of the most common routes into an accounting career. It’s a brilliant choice if you want to get into how businesses work and like asking questions.
Want to know more about what working in audit is actually like? Meet some of the UK’s freshest audit talent:
Which employers could I work for?
If you’ve ever wanted to find out which companies to work for, whether that’s at a large firm, mid-tier or SME, you’re in the right place. Below are a handful of employers we work with that offer paid accounting work experience for university students and school leavers, including apprenticeships, internships, placement years, graduate schemes and more
Ever wondered what it’s like to work with Hilton? Here’s what this Revenue Accounting Analyst placement student said about their time there:
The company culture was very supportive and collaborative. People were always willing to help, and it felt like a team environment rather than working in isolation. It was also quite fast-paced, especially around daily reporting and month-end periods, but there was a good balance where everyone understood the pressure and worked together to get things done. Overall, it was a positive atmosphere where you felt comfortable asking questions and learning on the job. Revenue Accounting Analyst, Hilton
Want to know what it’s really like to work for an accounting firm? Our student reviews are written by students who were just like you and went on to do work experience. We have loads of them for you to get stuck into, too.
EXPLORE ACCOUNTING REVIEWSWhere can accounting work experience take me?
Work experience is only the start. Once you've got your foot in the door, you can build a real, lasting career. So what’s next?
Once your work experience is over, whether you stay on at the same employer or move somewhere new, you'll work towards qualifying, then climb into senior and management roles, and eventually the top jobs, like finance director, CFO or even partner.
You don’t have to stay in accounting either. Working with numbers, spotting problems and understanding how businesses make money are super valuable transferable skills that you can use anywhere. They can take you into data analysis, consulting, finance or running your own thing one day.
Find Accounting Jobs
Sold? We have many accounting jobs available right now. Get started below.
Register Your Interest - 12-month Placement 2027
- Placement (10 Months+)
- Leeds, Liverpool, Reading, Leicester, Milton Keynes + 7 more.
Register Your Interest - Assurance Graduate Programmes 2027
at EY
- Graduate Scheme
- Liverpool, Londonderry, Luton, Leeds, Birmingham + 11 more.
