Newly Qualified - Now What?

Irrespective of the route you have taken, achieving chartered accountancy status has probably taken several years of hard graft as you've managed your studies, workload and family life. But what are you going to do now?

Recently, I've met newly qualified candidates who know exactly what they are looking for and others who aren't quite so sure what to do next. Driven by the current buoyant job market in Aberdeen newly qualified accountants are in demand and this is elevating basic salary levels in industry - good news for candidates who feel a career in practice isn't for them.

Exceptional circumstances in Aberdeen aside, there's much more to the career you want than basic salary. Opportunities within the profession are so diverse, if you are newly qualified and haven't already done so, you need to think now about what you want from your career and this means considering a myriad of factors (and reviewing them over the years!) which include: the specialties you want to develop; the type of work culture you enjoy; your desire to lead a team or work autonomously; whether international travel appeals; which sector you prefer; if you see accountancy as a life career or a strong foundation which leads elsewhere and so much more we don't have space for here!

Knowing what you want to achieve will also help you work out how your CV needs to develop. By establishing a relationship with an experienced recruiter, who understands your career aspirations, you'll become aware of opportunities which will develop you professionally and personally, helping you progress towards your ultimate goal. Equally, a good consultation with a recruitment expert may help you realise that your current employer offers everything you're looking for!

So, what are you going to do now?