We often hear that the most essential employees in any organisation or corporation are skilled Accountants. And if you are good at your job the pay is good too. But it is not always necessary that the job that pays well gives you a feeling of fulfilment. People in accounting careers might feel trapped at times, but there are career paths you can choose to improve your situation. Read further to know about the 5 ways to improve your accounting career.
Why Enhance Your Accounting Career?
Accounting is a dynamic field with a wide range of opportunities for career growth. Whether you want to move into a specialized role, increase your earning potential, or work internationally, enhancing your accounting career can open doors to higher-level positions and more fulfilling job roles. By obtaining additional certifications or skills, you can stay competitive in the ever-evolving finance industry.
5 Tips to Enhance Accounting Career
A. Certification Courses
Accounting certification courses are certifications used by Accountants to advance their professions and expand their skill sets. Let’s find out about how you can benefit from the courses!
1. ACCA After Accounting Job
If you want to work as a Management Consultant, Financial Planner, or anything similar, getting your Association of Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA) degree can help you to a great extent. You may have access to possibilities all across the world by taking the ACCA course. Obtaining this certificate is an excellent way to start a career in Accountancy and Finance because it is a world-renowned accounting designation, and the curriculum is industry-relevant. Whether getting an ACCA after your accounting job will be beneficial or not depends significantly on your interest.Â
The ACCA qualification encompasses all aspects of business, including financial statements, management accounting, company taxation, legislation, audit, and business ethics. An ACCA qualified professional is required to work in a foreign country. After completing the ACCA, your career chart opens up a number of job opportunities in nations like Singapore, the United Kingdom, Australia, Dubai, and others. Thus, if the curriculum aligns with your skills and interests, you should aim towards achieving this certification to get better job opportunities.
2. CA (Chartered Accountancy)
The Chartered Accountancy (CA) qualification is one of the most prestigious and sought-after certifications in the accounting field. It provides in-depth knowledge of taxation, auditing, corporate laws, and financial management. CA professionals are in high demand, not just in India but globally. If you are looking to enhance your expertise in accounting and finance, pursuing a CA qualification can significantly boost your career.
3. CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants)
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) provides training and certification in management accounting and associated fields. It is aimed at Accountants who work in the sector and provides members with continuous assistance and training. Corporate Finance, Financial Reporting, Financial Analysis, Business Analysis, Project Finance, Risk Management, and other fields use CIMA-trained people. Management Accountants examine data to provide strategic guidance and ensure long-term corporate performance. The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants qualification is open to anybody, whether new to finance and business or seasoned professionals. Chartered Institute of Management Accountants focuses on business as a whole, so you’ll learn more than just accounting. You’ll be financially qualified as well as professionally trained in business management, with the ability to advise on corporate strategy and risk management. So if you take an interest in business management and accounting, CIMA could be the ideal certification to pursue.
4. CPA (Certified Public Accountant)
Obtaining a Certified Public Accountant degree might help you get a leg up on the competition or provide you with a much-needed boost in your accounting profession. The CPA certification is internationally recognized, and it will offer you a distinct edge whether you choose to work in public accounting or a major corporation’s finance department. Going through this procedure demonstrates to your current or future employer that you are serious about your accounting profession and committed to putting in the necessary effort. If you pursue this certification course after your accounting job, your profile becomes stronger, and it will help you land a better job.
5. FRM (Financial Risk Manager)
If you are interested in risk management, the Financial Risk Manager (FRM) certification is an excellent option. Offered by the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP), FRM is globally recognized and focuses on identifying, assessing, and mitigating financial risks. This certification is ideal for accountants who want to transition into risk management roles in banking, asset management, and corporate finance.
6. CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst)
The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation is one of the most respected credentials in the investment and financial management industry. It covers areas such as financial analysis, portfolio management, and wealth planning. If you are an accountant looking to move into investment banking, asset management, or financial consulting, earning a CFA certification can be highly beneficial.
Curious About Tips to Enhance Accounting Career
Quick Short Term Courses
Apart from the various certification courses, there are several short-term courses too which you can pursue to advance your accounting career. Let us check out some of these courses:
1. Personal Finance
Personal Finance courses are highly beneficial in a world where financial stability and money management are becoming increasingly important. Zell Education provides courses on Personal Finance and after completing the course, you can take up a job as a Personal Financial Advisor in an organisation or company. These advisors are hired to assist customers in achieving their immediate and long-term financial goals. Their job is to provide customers with sound financial advice based on their understanding of tax regulations, investments, and insurance. This will be far better than a boring accounting job as you will have a much bigger role to play in taking your organisation to the next level financially.
2. Financial Market
Since India’s savings to GDP ratio is relatively low in comparison to other nations, the financial sector is a stream that is still growing. For the financial sector to grow rapidly, a large staff is required. As a result, we can conclude that the financial markets offer enormous opportunities ahead. You can enrol in various financial market and stock market courses provided by educational institutions, both online and offline, to get better job opportunities ahead. You can start by going through the basics of the financial market. Zell Education provides one such course, named as, the Introduction to Financial Markets which is perfect to start with. Â
3. Finance and Accounting
The essential ideas and terminology in finance and accounting career include the time value of money, risk-return tradeoff, retirement savings, mortgage financing, and vehicle leasing. You can pursue finance and accounting courses if you are interested in the concepts mentioned above. Zell Education provides various courses related to accounting career, one such is the Finance and Accounts course which you can pursue.Â
Career Enhancement Tips
Networking Can Do Wonders!
Having a strong professional network can do wonders for you irrespective of the field you work in. The most essential benefit of having an effective network is that it puts you in a better position to get that next job or promotion. According to a survey published in the Journal of Accountancy, networking is the most effective way to find better accounting jobs. If you don’t have a network yet, start building one using popular professional platforms like LinkedIn.
Free-Range Accounting Holds A Lot Of PowerÂ
Traditional bookkeeping, financial statement preparation, financial reporting, internal audits, and compliance are all possibilities. Accountants operate in a variety of finance-related fields. Don’t limit yourself to just one part of the accounting field. You should aim to obtain experience in a variety of fields, especially during your initial years at an accounting job. Talk to professionals and find out about all the opportunities you have if your interest lies in accounting.Â
Harness the Power of Soft Skills
Soft skills are becoming increasingly crucial as people develop in their accounting or finance careers. Soft skills can be the differential between two individuals applying for the same position in a world that is becoming increasingly digital, electronic, and automated. In fact, according to a recent survey conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management, 97% of employers believe soft skills are just as essential as hard talents. Thus, working upon your soft skills will help you make a career transition in a smoother way.
The US CPA qualification is recognised worldwide and can open doors to opportunities in Europe, Asia and North America.Â
Planning to Pursue Accounting and Finance Career?
To Book Your Free Counselling Session
Conclusion
Enhancing your accounting career is a smart move if you want to increase your job opportunities, salary potential, and overall job satisfaction. Whether through certifications like CA, FRM, or CFA, or short-term courses, continuous learning can help you stay ahead in the competitive finance industry. If you are an accounting professional looking to boost your career or just curious to learn about the course, we suggest you check out our Certified Public Accountant (CPA) course to learn more. To advance your portfolio and build professional skills, try Zell Education’s interactive courses that offer flexible training timings. Get in touch at +91 7208885600 or email us at [email protected].
What Next?
If you’re ready to take the next step in your accounting career, consider enrolling in a certification or short-term course that aligns with your goals. Explore professional training programs that offer flexible learning options and expert guidance.
FAQs on Best Courses to Enhance Your Accounting Career
How much does an Accountant earn in India?
In India, an Accountant earns INR 2.49 LPA on an average.
Which job roles pay high salaries in the financial sector?
Accounting, auditing, financial advisory and investment banking are the roles that come under the financial sector. The various financial job roles are capable of providing you with an average industry salary. Some of the most high paying jobs in this sector are that of an Investment Banker, Financial Advisor, IT Auditor and Senior Accountant.
Does an MBA in Accounting and Finance landing a better job?
An MBA holds a good career scope because the program helps you build up effective business knowledge, business administration and much more which the various organisations look for in an employee. Thus, it is possible to get a better job after completing post graduation in MBA.
What is the best accounting course for beginners?
For beginners, courses like ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), CPA (Certified Public Accountant), or basic finance and accounting courses provide a strong foundation in accounting principles and financial management.
