Knowledge Hub

When speaking to candidates looking to make the step into industry many are disheartened by the time it’s taking for them to find a new role. Additionally, those newly entering the job market often look for guidance on the opportunities available to them after qualifying.

The job market remains challenging for those looking to leave practice. Since the start of the year, I’ve met with over 200 newly qualified accountants exploring their first move into industry and have spoken with many more. A common theme? Despite strong CVs and motivation to move, many are still searching for the right opportunity months later.

If you’ve recently qualified through the ACA program and are looking to move into industry, you’re likely asking yourself: • What types of job functions are open to me? • What do they entail? • How competitive are the roles to move into? Broadly speaking, the moves you can make tend to fall into three categories: • Corporate Finance / Investment Analytics • Commercial Finance • Reporting & Control

For many recently qualified professionals, a natural next step is a role focused on financial reporting and control. These positions closely align with audit experience, making for a smoother transition into industry or corporate roles.

Many newly qualified professionals begin their post-audit careers in commercial finance roles. These positions provide strong exposure to business operations and decision-making, either through traditional budgeting and forecasting roles or hybrid positions that include elements of accounting and reporting.

One potential route after qualifying from audit is a move into corporate finance or investment analytics. The most common entry point is through internal advisory teams within your current firm, though some professionals transition directly into industry roles or boutique advisory firms. These positions can be highly competitive, so a strong foundation in financial analysis and modelling is essential.