Start with a Plan
Take time to reflect on your career trajectory. Are you aiming for a Finance Manager role? A move into commercial finance? A technical accounting specialisation? Your next move should support that direction — and it’s worth being clear on this before you start having conversations.
Lateral moves can provide real value through skill development, broader experience, or better cultural alignment with your goals. Career satisfaction looks different for everyone.
Get the Right Support Around You
Career progression benefits enormously from external guidance:
- Recruitment specialists who offer genuine career planning — not just job placement
- Mentors within your organisation, particularly those who’ve followed the path you’re interested in
- Professional networks like ICAEW, ACCA, or CIMA, which offer events and development workshops
- Quarterly finance networking events where you can connect with peers and hear from industry leaders
Even informal conversations with senior colleagues can provide clarity and create unexpected opportunities.
Say Yes to Projects That Push You
Growth extends beyond your core role. Strategic projects that develop valuable, transferable skills include:
- Systems migrations — SAP, NetSuite, Oracle
- Acquisition or integration work
- Budgeting and forecasting cycles
- ESG or regulatory reporting projects
These initiatives not only develop your skills — they generate powerful examples you can draw on in interviews to demonstrate the value you’ve added beyond your day-to-day responsibilities.
If you’d like to talk through your next career move and make sure you’re progressing in the right direction, our team is here to help.