Have you just graduated from college with a degree in accounting or finance? Are you a couple years into your entry level position as an accountant, and looking toward the next step in your career?
No matter what stage you find yourself in the world of finance jobs, now is the time to take stock of who you are as a professional. Once you’ve evaluated your personality, individual skill set, and what drives you to pursue your professional career, you can target the specific kinds of accounting jobs that are best suited to you.
Jobs in finance go well beyond the stereotypical perception of “bean counters” who complete monotonous accounting tasks. The reality is that jobs in finance vary widely, and present distinct and exciting challenges to the professionals who undertake them. Financial recruitment agencies look for accountants with passion, creativity and willful initiative to produce solutions for thriving companies. Such finance jobs require active collaboration between business executives and the accountants they hire. This may mean determining whether or not a construction plan can still be completed on time with a more limited budget. Financial recruiters may also seek out finance professionals who can actively spearhead and manage the accounting portfolios of a prospective employer’s growing international clientele.
But often accountants begin their careers in more traditional roles, which may involve less strategic planning and problem solving. During this stage of your career, you’re at a critical juncture. Do you feel fulfilled professionally as you pursue finance jobs? Is your current position the right fit for your skills and career motivations? Or do you envision a job with different challenges and new opportunities for growth?
Whatever answer you find, being aware of your goals and the career positions that enable you to best achieve those goals is essential to success as search for optimal finance jobs.
There are numerous career options within the vast field of finance, and sharp, innovative accountants are in high demand. Taking a close look at where you are and where you want to go will go a long way in obtaining the kind of career you want.