Many view accounting as a secure and reliable career path. If there’s money involved, then there’s an accountant involved as well!
But not all accounting jobs are built equally. Finding the role that fits your needs and skillsets can be challenging. You might also prefer some industries over others.
The accounting work at a technology startup versus a 100-year-old consumer-packaged goods firm may be similar, but your work environment isn’t.
This article looks at tips for finding the best accounting jobs. This includes understanding different accounting roles, networking, considering roles alternative to full-time, and working with a recruiting agency.
Understand the different accounting roles available
An accountant isn’t only one role. Like how engineers may be chemical engineers, electrical engineers, or mechanical engineers, accountants also have various sub-categories. Take, for example, the following:
- Auditors review and verify the accuracy of financial records. You can find auditors at large accounting firms such as PwC, KPMG, and Ernest & Young or within a corporation. Their roles protect investors and the business from fraud by preventing employees or the company as a whole from falsifying accounting records.
- Controllers oversee the accounting operations and systems of a firm. They may provide management with decision-making information, manage the budget, or optimize processes to make the business’ procedures more efficient.
- Bookkeepers record all transactions and review the debits and credits of a company. They ensure that the organization’s balance sheet makes sense and that there isn’t a mismatch between what comes in and out of the company.
Once you have a better idea of what type of accounting role you want, it becomes easier to apply to jobs. You can better tailor resumes and cover letters to suit that particular role instead of using a “spray and pray” technique.
Network, network, network
Networking is essential to getting a job in 2021. It’s the process of speaking with and exchanging information with contacts at a company to develop relationships. This procedure can help you get your foot in the door and make you stand out from other applicants.
For example, suppose that there are ten applicants in addition to yourself. If in your cover letter, you mention that you talked to Joe whose a controller at the firm, the hiring manager might feel your application stands out.
You would further have a better idea of what a role at the company encompasses and have more topics to discuss at an interview.
Better yet, if you contact the hiring manager, that might put your application ahead of everyone else’s.
You don’t need to “know” someone to network anymore. Sites such as LinkedIn allow us to reach out to just about anyone. Many people are open to growing their network and are happy to take coffee chats to discuss their company.
Consider options besides full-time employment
Before, full-time employment was everyone’s desired option because it provided reliability. But the gig economy and remote work have changed how people go about their daily work life.
If you can’t find a full-time accounting job that meets your criteria, try holding multiple part-time roles. You could also use websites like Fiverr or UpWork to provide freelance bookkeeping and accounting services.
Although freelance or part-time roles might not provide the security you need, they commonly warrant higher hourly salaries. This is because they don’t offer benefits or enough hours to pay the bills on their own, forcing you to hold multiple jobs. Employers and the labour market understand this, and that’s why roles that are less than full-time may have higher wages.
Work with a recruiting agency
A recruiting agency can help lock down your ideal role. Agencies like SkilledWorker collaborate with employers to help them find talent such as yourself. They can assist you in preparing applications and for interviews. Some agencies might even specialize in the accounting industry.
Recruiting agencies can also help you access the “hidden job market” which constitutes 85% of roles. These are roles that aren’t posted publicly on sites like Indeed or LinkedIn. Instead, they’re only available to internal referrals or recruiting agencies. Thus, working with a recruiting agency can expand your opportunities.
Best of all, you’re usually not the one who pays for a recruiting agency’s services. The employer foots the bill by paying the agency a commission once a suitable candidate is hired.
If you’re looking for an accounting role, it’s vital to consider what kind of role you want. Accounting is not just one role but a category of various career opportunities.
You should further reach out to individuals in your dream company to build relationships and networks and consider options besides full-time employment. Lastly, a recruiting agency can significantly increase the chances of obtaining your ideal job.
