How to reach the ‘unreachable’ job roles in accounting

It can be difficult trying to navigate the working world, especially when everyone looks like they have their lives planned out and are on track. But the realities are that a lot of people are still working it all out, and may have no solid career plan to follow.

This being said, it’s common to view specific job roles/titles as ‘unreachable,’ or difficult to achieve. If you often struggle with symptoms of imposter syndrome, it’s very possible that you may struggle to view yourself in one of these highly commended positions.

Here are a few of those ‘unreachable’ roles, and our advice on how to make your career aspirations come to life.

Example job titles

• Chief Financial Officer (CFO) – The CFO is a top executive, responsible for overseeing the financial operations of a company. It usually requires extensive financial knowledge, strategic thinking skills, and leadership abilities.
• Investment banker – Investment bankers facilitate financial transactions such as mergers, acquisitions, and public offerings. The role demands strong analytical skills, industry knowledge and experience, and communication skills.
• Certified public accountant (CPA) – This job role usually involves having advanced knowledge of accounting principles and regulations. A CPA may work in various fields such as auditing, tax planning, or financial consulting.
• Hedge fund manager – Managing a hedge fund involves making investment decisions to generate high returns for clients. This will usually require great risk assessment and financial analysis skills and experience.
• Financial analyst – Financial analysts provide insights and recommendations to help businesses and individuals make informed investment decisions. This field demands proficiency in financial modelling, data analysis, and market research.

How to reach these job roles

The aforementioned job titles are predominantly found in the accounting and finance industry, so we can certainly help you reach those goals.

For example, to become a CFO, hedge fund manager, or a financial analyst, furthering your education with a qualification such as ACCA or CIMA can significantly help.

Of course, as with any skilled job, you will likely be required to prove your relevant work experience and show your dedication and commitment throughout your career to progress. This means that completing the qualification won’t necessarily have your name above the CFO office door! But gaining the knowledge through your studies will significantly help you when applying it to your job role, and prove to potential employers that you know what you’re doing.

Job roles such as an investment banker or certified public accountant will usually fall more within the banking sector. This means that there may be other qualifications needed to get into those job roles. However, as with most highly commended finance jobs, studying ACCA or CIMA can still give you that boost.

Although ACCA and CIMA qualifications are not specifically designed for these job roles, they’ll still prove to be helpful as you’ll build a solid foundation in accounting and finance – which will prove to be essential if you apply for the job.

What’s the difference between ACCA and CIMA?

CIMA and ACCA are both qualifications that can get you far in the accounting and finance industry. They both open up many opportunities both in the UK and internationally. However, there are differences that are important to consider when planning your career in finance.

You can read more about how to choose between ACCA and CIMA for your career aspirations. However, in simpler terms, there are some key differences:

• CIMA has set modules that you are required to complete to gain the full qualification
• CIMA is often heavily focused on management accounting and corporate finance roles
• The final level of ACCA will provide options so that you can focus more on your chosen areas
• ACCA offers modules with a heavier focus around financial reporting, audit and taxation.

It has been suggested that ACCA is a good option if you’re not entirely sure where you want to go in your career, as your options are open for a bit longer. Whereas, after completing the CIMA qualification, you’ll find yourself in the perfect position to go into management accounting in industry.

Nevertheless, both qualifications will require hard work and will prove to be supportive in getting you to where you want to be.

Plan your career today

At Eagle Education, we offer subscription services for both the full ACCA qualification and the full CIMA qualification. You can study at your own pace, at any time online and still have access to all of the support you need and gain the knowledge to succeed.