Pod Info:
This Pod was created by Anthony Broderick Jnr and is about a job as an Accountant from the Financial Services industry sector.
Background to the Pod: Anthony Broderick speaks to Simon Oates a partner at The Tax Partnership in Sadlergate in Derby. You can contact Simon on 01332 299029 with any Accountancy queries.
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Accountant is sponsored by:
Simon Oates
Accountant
Pod number 10011Views: 284 Since Jul 09
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As an accountant it would be your job to provide accountancy services. You would handle tax and accounts, carry out audits, and advise how to improve business finances.
Salaries for trainee or part-qualified accountants may be between £18,000 and £24,000 a year. Qualified accountants typically earn between £28,000 and £50,000. Senior accountants in large private practices could earn up to £100,000.
Working hours are usually Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 5.30pm, possibly longer at busy times such as the end of the financial year. Part-time hours, temporary contract work and job sharing may be available.
You would have an office base, but would spend much of your time visiting clients at their workplaces. If you worked for a large accountancy practice, this could mean travelling all over the UK.
Your main tasks include:
preparing financial statements, business plans and budget reports
producing annual and monthly accounts
carrying out independent audits of company accounts
managing spending, costs, credit, payroll and investments
filing tax returns and providing tax advice
forecasting future profits and financial performance
helping with financial difficulties.
Accountants should have:-
good mathematical and computer skills;
analytical skills and a logical approach;
a good understanding of business;
a high level of accuracy and attention to detail;
good communication skills;
the ability to explain technical financial information clearly;
organisational and time-management skills;
honesty;
discretion with confidential information.
You could find work anywhere from a small local practice to a large international accountancy firm.
You could also work as an in-house accountant for a company or public sector organisation such as a local council, although in this type of role you would usually be known as a management accountant. See the related profiles for more about working in other sectors.
With experience, you could specialise in an area like auditing or forensic accounting, or you could become a manager in a practice. You could also become self-employed or set up your own firm.
Qualifications
two A levels (or equivalent qualifications such as a BTEC National Diploma) plus three GCSEs (A-C) including maths and English.
Where to get more information about Accountant
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA Connect), 2 Central Quay, 89 Hydepark Street, Glasgow G3 8BW. 0141 582 2000. Website: www.acca.org.uk
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), 26 Chapter Street, London SW1P 4NP. 020 8849 2251. Website: www.cimaglobal.com
Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), 3 Robert Street, London WC2N 6RL. 020 7543 5600. Website: www.cipfa.org.uk
Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), Level 1, Metropolitan House, 321 Avebury Boulevard, Milton Keynes MK9 2FZ. 01908 248040. Website: www4.icaew.co.uk
Institute of Financial Accountants (IFA), Burford House, 44 London Road, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1AS. 01732 458080. Website www.ifa.org.uk
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