By Maz Davis | 1 December, 2023
National Career Development Month
Unlocking Opportunities: Navigating Your Career Path in Accounting
November is National Career Development month, a whole month dedicated to career development and growth. Here at Saul Fairholm, we offer a variety of different roles and opportunities for progression.
To help you understand where you want to be in your career or track your qualifications, a career development plan would be a great document to keep you on your career journey and understand your goals and aspirations. Use this helpful guide on how to create your plan gov.co.uk.
See the chart below that explains the different careers and qualifications you can achieve at Saul Fairholm.
| Qualifications and their acronyms | |
| AAT | Association of Accounting Technicians |
| ACA | Associate Chartered Accountant |
| ACCA | Association of Chartered Certified Accountants |
| ATT | Association of Taxation Technicians |
| CTA | Chartered Tax Advisor |
| Role | Accountant | Tax Advisor | Bookkeeper |
| Qualifications | AAT Level 2 | ATT | AAT Level 2 |
| AAT Level 3 | CTA | AAT Level 3 | |
| AAT Level 4 | AAT Level 4 | ||
| ACCA or ACA |
Accounts Trainees traditionally join as apprentices and start working towards their AAT qualifications (Level 2- 4). After becoming AAT qualified, apprentices may also wish to progress on to ACCA or ACA qualifications.
In some circumstances trainees may have the option to start as an ACCA level trainee straight away but this is dependent on the individual and their prior qualifications.
Some staff may join as a bookkeeper and then wish to move into an accountant’s role later, we can provide internal progression into that role and offer study support to gain their ACCA qualification.
On the other hand, we have had employees join as bookkeepers or accounts staff and have decided they would like to specialise in tax so again they can transfer into those roles and support is provided to gain the relevant tax-related qualifications.
There are no set timescales regarding progression. Everything from an individual’s career path, study route and the availability of suitable roles can play a part in a trainee’s journey to becoming Chartered. Training methods depend on the individual’s preferences and the training provider’s options – classroom based, online or blended learning.
Below are some employees who are working towards the next step in their career development.
Tom Blackman, Emily Ellis and Hannah Ley
Tom, Emily and Hannah all currently have Level 4 AAT. Tom is now studying for his ATT qualification, Emily is studying for CTA and Hannah is studying for ACCA.
Elliot Forbes, Tillie Hands and Kyle Cramp
Elliot, Tillie and Kyle are studying for Level 4 AAT and all have their Level 3 AAT qualification already.
Yusuf Razzo and Dylan Hurst
Yusuf and Dylan are just starting their studies as apprentices at Saul Fairholm. Yusuf is studying for Level 3 AAT and Dylan is working towards Level 2 AAT.
Are you looking for a career in accounting? Saul Fairholm is the perfect place to start your studies and continue on your career development journey.
Get in touch today at 01522 537575 or contact our office manager, Nicola via email: nicola.lamming@saulfairholm.co.uk
