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After working for a Big 4 company for a couple of years, you’ve perhaps arrived at a crossroad which many before you have also come to: should you stick it out until that big promotion or should you find yourself an internal finance role within an organisation?

If you’ve been keen on branching out of audit but are intimidated to take the plunge, here are three reasons why an industry role might better suit your professional goals.

 

1. Bigger impact on the business

Are you looking to have a greater impact on the business? Do you want to not only advise businesses but also implement your ideas and see them flourish? Although audit is very client-facing, you’re adding a limited value to clients’ businesses and the work is very process driven. A natural move from audit to industry, a role such as Financial Controller or Business Controller will allow you to add a real value to an organisation by becoming the financial “go to” person, participating in analysing and resolving strategic issues and driving improvements. As a true business partner, you will apply strategic, forward-thinking skills and provide more strategic analyses which will contribute to the company’s success.

If you’re looking to join a more stimulating or fast growing environment to compliment your career ambitions, a wide range of industries such as cutting edge pharmaceutical companies, technology companies, global manufacturers, and top retailers highly value Big 4 backgrounds.

2. Broader and more stimulating job content

Have you been craving for less repetitive work? Are you looking to dive deeper into technical issues and drive process effectiveness? A career in audit is a great way to learn the basics of a company’s financial performance, but an internal finance function will allow you to develop a broader business understanding and immerse yourself not only in the financials but also within the organisation itself. You will get to know the ins and outs of your business, the products, the customers, and the way everything comes together. If you’re looking to join a more stimulating or fast growing environment to compliment your career ambitions, a wide range of industries such as cutting edge pharmaceutical companies, technology companies, global manufacturers, and top retailers highly value Big 4 backgrounds.

3. Better work/life balance

Are you growing tired of the late nights, the busy seasons and constantly moving from client to client? Working in such a fast-paced, constantly changing environment can be stressful and take a toll on your life outside the office. Transferring out of Big 4 firms does not mean you will never again have busy periods where overtime is needed, but you will overall have more time for hobbies, family and yourself. 

 

Want to find out more?

Read more on what to do after leaving a Big 4 or have a look at our latest vacancies.

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Banks are subject to certain regulations and requirements that aim to uphold the integrity of the financial system. Financial institutions are regulated by governments to disclose and handle their capital in a certain way. The categorisation of assets and capital is highly standardised so that it can be risk weighted.

A number of recent high profile financial scandals have raised both the profile and importance of areas which control the reporting of information to external bodies. Financial services companies are legislated by a variety of bodies, including the Central Bank of Ireland and the ISE.

The role provides excellent exposure to all areas of the bank, including product control, financial control, treasury, operations, IT, front office, legal and credit risk.

What does the role involve?

As a regulatory analyst you will play a critical role maintaining the integrity of the financial system. Regulatory reporting is normally split into three separate areas:

• Capital adequacy (banks allocation of capital for regulatory purposes)
• Large and counterparty exposure risk (concentration of risk to certain groupings e.g. industries or counterparties)
• Central Bank reporting

Why choose regulatory reporting?

Regulatory reporting is a blend of financial control, product control and risk reporting. You will gain a very good general grounding of a bank’s products without having to specialise.

Career progression

The role provides excellent exposure to all areas of the bank, including product control, financial control, treasury, operations, IT, front office, legal and credit risk. As such, it is a good entry route into financial services. You can also gain promotion within this area and become a senior level regulatory professional or work for the Regulator.

Interested in a career in regulatory reporting?

Contact Ronan Farrelly in Robert Walters Dublin on +353 (0)1 633 4111 or email your CV to ronan.farrelly@robertwalters.com

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Corporate finance is a very general term used to describe a particular function in the front office of an investment bank and is a highly active area in the financial services sector.

The role is by nature a client facing position, working with blue-chip clients on often very lucrative and prestigious deals.

Corporate finance involves:

• Mergers and acquisitions (M&A)
• Management buy-outs (MBOs)
• Management buy-ins (MBIs)
• Flotations
• Restructuring

M&A is the area most synonymous with corporate finance for the majority of newly qualified accountants and is the most common entry point for individuals straight out of practice.

M&A is essentially concerned with advising clients on how to conduct a merger or acquisition. Corporate financiers are then involved in actively transacting the deal on behalf of the parties involved.

Why choose corporate finance?

Corporate financiers are often perceived as playing an important role in ‘selling’ the bank and its services to the outside world. The role is by nature client facing, working with blue-chip clients on often very lucrative and prestigious deals.

Most newly-qualified accountants begin their careers in corporate finance assisting in the execution of deals by doing financial modelling and due diligence work. They may also get involved in preparing market information for organisational purposes, which is usually presented to clients by more senior financiers.

Interested in a career in corporate finance? Contact Ronan Farrelly in Robert Walters Dublin on +353 (0)1 633 4111 or email your CV to ronan.farrelly@robertwalters.com. 

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Group accounting is a head office and parent company function that offers the opportunity to explore and understand the business performance of the whole group.

The focus can be on group financial accounting , group management accounting or both. The role interfaces with all levels of management and finance divisions across the business. As a group accountant, you will oversee the preparation of consolidated accounts and manage group reporting, as well as he corporate budgeting and forecasting process.

Career progression

If your ambition is to become a senior finance professional this is a great role to progress your career. The majority of FTSSE 250 Finance Directors and Chief Financial Officers started their careers within group accounting.
If your ambition is to become a senior finance professional this is a great role to progress your career.

Why choose group accounting?

It is one of the strongest entry points into industry, which not only allows you to develop your technical skills, but sitting above the various operating units and consolidating reports from all of the finance functions across the group as a whole, allows you to gain a comprehensive insight into the whole business. In this way, a group role not only gives you a bird’s eye view of an organisation but a fantastic opportunity to network across different divisions within the business.

Who should become a group accountant?

Audit and tax experience are often prerequisites for the role so a practice background is often preferred.

Seeking a job in accounting? To discuss your current accounting & finance recruitment needs in more detail, please contact one of experienced recruitment consultants. 

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Treasury is the area responsible for the financial health of an organisation. Its primary aim has traditionally been to preserve existing cash funds and financial assets by:

• Ensuring liquidity to meet all current and future liabilities
• Ensuring that business activities are funded in the most appropriate and cost effective manner
• Identifying and mitigating against financial risks which could erode financial strength

Treasury opportunities exist either in financial institutions (which tend to have large treasury departments with many specialist staff) in the corporate sector, or in the public sector.

The ultimate career goal for newly qualified accountants entering treasury is to become treasurer of the company.

What does the area involve and what roles can you do?

Cash is the life-blood of any business. A career in treasury is an opportunity to work at the heart of an organisation providing valuable support to all key functions of an enterprise.

The role of the treasury professional is extremely varied, incorporating a range of professional disciplines including money management, accounting, corporate finance, risk management, ALM (asset and liability management), debt capital markets and corporate governance.

At the newly qualified level, treasury opportunities can offer a chance to get to grips with hands-on financial activities at an earlier stage. For example, analysis on live data, capital market dealing and liaising with relationship banks. In addition, the treasury department is usually small (except in financial services institutions and very large Corporates), allowing new staff to work closely with a senior treasurer. This can provide a steep but challenging learning curve for the enthusiastic new joiner.

Career progression

The ultimate career goal for newly qualified accountants entering treasury is to become treasurer of the company. There is a strong possibility of a good treasurer being offered a CFO/ Financial Director role to broaden their responsibilities and skill set.

Interested in a career in treasury?

Contact Suzanne Feeney in Robert Walters Dublin on +353 (0)1 633 4111 or email your CV to suzanne.feeney@robertwalters.com

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Financial control is the weekly, monthly and year end production of financial statements and regulatory reports. The analysis of financial reporting information and commentary on variances gives you the opportunity to become involved in a variety of developmental, analytical and project driven exercises.

The role is vital to control, evaluate and support the continued growth of the business. Roles evolve constantly to remain aligned with the fast moving pace of the business and all reporting and trading activities are monitored and regulated by official governing bodies.

The role is vital to control, evaluate and support the continued growth of the business. 

Why choose financial control?

There are a variety of roles available under the umbrella of financial control, incorporating all of a bank’s activities. As a result, newly qualified accountants can gain exposure to a wide spectrum of functions across the organisation. Financial control also provides a strong understanding of the interactive nature of modern banking systems, allowing the development of strong and high profile links with members of senior management.

Career progression

Within a financial control role you can gain a broad overview of a business, providing achievable, natural progression to roles both within and outside of the department, for example in business analysis, product control, risk management, systems development and trade support.

What does the role involve?

Daily responsibilities include:

• Preparation of monthly financial statements: this needs qualitative as well as quantitative focus in order to understand and explain significant movements in the business and the market to senior management
• Liaison between product control, operations, and other areas of financial control both in the UK and globally to ensure changes in the business are fully understood by all parties
• Presentation of the financial control reconciliations and analyses to senior management
• Ad hoc projects such as reporting, process reviews and system testing

Interested in a career in finance controlling?

Contact Robert Walters Dublin on +353 (0)1 633 4111 or email your CV to dublin@robertwalters.com

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As a financial accountant, it is your job to collect, record and extract financial information before summarising it in the form of periodic profit and loss accounts, a balance sheet and a cash flow statement. You will also be responsible for the production of the statement of accounts and have a key role in the interim and year end reporting process. Liaising with external auditors to ensure a smooth and efficient running of the audit process and optimising tax effectiveness would be a part of this role too.

Those who are more technically oriented who enjoy using and keeping their knowledge of accounting standards up-to-date are well suited to this role.

Why choose financial accounting?

Financial accounting is a great area to get into if you have a real enthusiasm for, and excellent knowledge of accounting standards and processes. In larger organisations you will almost certainly be based at head office, so the role can offer early opportunities to be noticed by senior management. Because this role is concerned with the results for the whole company it also provides you with an excellent overview of the organisation, giving fantastic exposure to the heart of a company’s accounting functions.

Career progression

Financial accounting offers a clear career progression route. As you progress down the core financial route, either Financial Controller or Finance Director roles are likely to open up to you.

Who should become a financial accountant?

Those who are more technically oriented who enjoy using and keeping their knowledge of accounting standards up-to-date are well suited to this role. If finding niche holes in tax structures or interpreting the depreciation of assets appeals, for example this role will allow you to make a real difference.

Contact us

To explore your opportunities in accounting and finance in Dublin, contact Ronan Farrelly on +353 (0)1 633 4111 or email ronan.farrelly@robertwalters.com alternatively you can view current opportunities here.

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We look at what it takes to become a professional accountant.

Accountancy training contracts are in short supply at the moment. They are highly sought-after and the application process is competitive. Your CV must demonstrate your desire for the role and must be tailored to highlight that you really want the trainee accountant position you’re applying for. At the interview stage, adequate preparation and enthusiasm for the profession is essential. If an organisation is going to invest the time to train you they want to be sure that you are dedicated to a career in accountancy.

Necessary experience and qualifications

A strong educational background in accounting and finance is what employers are ideally seeking at present. It is advantageous to have acquired exemptions from professional examinations and it is worth exploring module choices at university to see what exemptions they will provide you with. An internship or vacation programme that provides practical experience will definitely increase your chances of obtaining a training contract.
Your CV must demonstrate your desire for the role and must be tailored to highlight that you really want the trainee accountant position you’re applying for.

Deciding which professional qualification you will pursue is of paramount importance. Chartered Accountants of Ireland now offer students a flexible route to studying outside of a training contract, an option which wasn't available before 2009. It’s understandable that people perceive the Chartered exams as being synonymous with contract given the number of individuals going through training contracts each year, however, there are currently over 1,000 students in the flexible route of training in contracts within industry.

This qualification is highly sought-after in financial services and industry. In comparison, the ACCA qualification does not require a training contract. Professionals studying for their ACCA qualification predominantly work in the areas of financial accounting and analysis and fund accounting, in an ACCA accredited employer.

The ACA and ACCA professional qualifications are the most popular in Ireland; however the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and the Certified Public Accountants also offer professional qualifications for those who wish to practice as accountants. These qualifications are extremely popular in countries such as Australia, Canada and the US, and are therefore good options for anyone aiming to travel with their qualification.

Skills required 

To be a trainee accountant you will need to have excellent organisational skills and be good with numbers. The ability to work as part of a team can be crucial if you are interested in working in a ‘Big 4’, or within industry or financial services where it is common to work as part of a large team. If you prefer working more on an individual basis, accounting could still be a good career path for you. It is more common for accountants working within smaller practices to work individually. The ability to work to deadlines is also an essential skill in the role of an accountant.

The right attitude is vital, the professional accountancy examinations are tough and you have to show you are determined and dedicated; individuals who can demonstrate this effectively at interview are more likely to be successful. Research the company background and ensure you highlight why you would be a good fit for their organisation.

Career path

Career progression after completing your trainee accountant contract will depend on which industry you enter. If you join a small practice the ultimate aim would be to progress to partner level. If you begin your career with a large organisation you can progress to a managerial position, then to head of a specific department and ultimately to CFO. Furthermore, many CEOs’ have a finance background.

Considering a career as a trainee accountant?

To explore your opportunities in Dublin, please view our current finance roles here or contact us on +353 (0)1 633 4111 or email dublin@robertwalters.com

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Management accountants provide business data and analysis to managers within organisations to assist in business decision making and control.

As a management accountant, you will analyse the company’s financial position and provide insight into business performance. The monthly management accounts and budgets and forecasts will be some of your key responsibilities. You will also be involved in cost analysis and cost reduction projects, competitor analysis, variance analysis, tender preparation and review, strategic planning, long and medium term planning and investor appraisal.

Why choose management accounting?

This is a highly commercial role, interacting with the different areas of the business. You will not only analyse historical data but will provide information on the business needs to do to meet future expectations. You are very much considered to be a finance business partner and will be expected to offer your opinion on your analysis. 

Career progression

There are two main paths for a management accountant to follow:

If you are a commercially minded accountant with strong modelling and analysis skills, you will be suited to this role. 

• Ultimately become a Head of Financial Planning and Analysis (which allows you to access a more sophisticated reporting and analysis environment)
• Progress to a Financial Controller role and then become a Finance Director (financial accountants also progress into these areas)

Who should become a management accountant?

Historically, companies tend to recruit newly-qualifieds with CIMA qualifications but the focus has shifted in recent years and currently employers are more likely to look for strong transferable skills from any professional accounting accreditation.

If you are a commercially minded accountant with strong modelling and analysis skills, you will be suited to this role. You will develop excellent communication skills due to your frequent interaction with finance and non finance professionals when preparing interpreting and communicating a variety of reports for your portfolio of internal clients.

Contact us

See our latest jobs in management accounting, or contact our experienced recruitment consultants here. 

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Are you looking to make your next move in the accountancy industry? We’ve asked our accountancy experts for their top tips to help you shine in your next interview…  

If you’re looking to land your next accountancy role, preparing for your next interview can be a daunting process.

To help you make sure the numbers are stacked in your favour, we’ve asked two of our accountancy experts for their advice…

Let your CV tell the story

Ronan Farrelly, accounting & finance manager in Robert Walters’ Dublin, tells his candidates to make sure their CVs show their career progression. “One key thing candidates forget to include in their CVs is promotions. Instead of just saying ‘financial accountant’ for four years, put ‘junior accountant’ for two years and ‘financial accountant’ for two years. This will show hiring managers that you have succeeded in your previous roles and been rewarded.”

Part of this CV storytelling should include detailing your own personal achievements in every role you’ve had. As he explains, “focusing on any process improvements you’ve implemented — such as reducing tax or introducing a new way of financial reporting — will quickly show hiring managers what you’re capable of and what you’d bring to the role.”

Ronan also reminds his applicants to list out all their credentials and expertise that might be linked to the role. “All relevant experience should be highlighted clearly on your CV,” he says. “Alongside any chartered accountancy qualifications, you should also include the technical knowledge you have, as experience with IT software and systems is increasingly important to hiring managers.”

Do your financial homework

The first thing any accountancy candidate should do is check out the company’s financial health, says Luke Higgs, associate director of commerce finance for Robert Walters UK. “It’s important that candidates check press releases and accountancy websites for news on the company they’re applying for — it’s really surprising how many applicants aren’t aware of company takeovers, for example,” he explains.

Hiring managers may also ask questions about the wider accountancy sector, so a more holistic approach to research can also be hugely beneficial for candidates. “Interviewers will often ask about their competitors, so make sure you know who they are and what they’re doing,” says Luke. “Candidates should have an overall view of the industry and be able to discuss the key challenges and risks the sector faces over coming years.”

Prepare for accounting interview questions

There are two main types of questioning that candidates can expect in an accountancy interview, explains Mark: technical competency questions and psychometric behavioural questions.

“When it comes to technical skills, you’ll need to show that you can work with large datasets and do complex reconciliations of the data included,” he says. “Or if, for example, the company is still going through IFRS implementations then you should expect questions on how they would attach costs and revenue to types of contracts or projects affected by the changes.”

On the behavioural side, Luke tells his candidates to prepare for psychometric testing such as personality profiling or verbal reasoning, which is particularly popular with larger, blue-chip companies. “Candidates often take these tests lightly,” warns Luke, “but companies wouldn’t invest in them if they weren’t important. So, take advantage of practice tests online beforehand to familiarise yourself with the format.”

Show off your communication and consultation skills

Being able to communicate is important in any job you apply for but, as Ronan advises his applicants, in an accountancy role a hiring manager will want assurances that you are able to work successfully with people outside your immediate team and communicate with other stakeholders.

“Being able to partner with other areas of the business and talk about accounts using non-financial terms is a key skill that you should look to highlight,” he says. “This ability is highly sought-after and often not seen across all candidates, so draw on any experience and expertise you have in this area."

“Accountancy has changed quite a bit in recent years,” adds Luke. “It’s not just about adding up the numbers anymore; hiring managers are keen to see how you build partnerships with other areas of the company, such as the commercial team, to help drive the business forward.”

Demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role

In an interview setting, Ronan reminds his candidates to focus solely on why they want the job. “Discussing the reasons why you want to leave your current position could lead to some red flags for the interviewer. Make sure you stay focused on the pull factors of the job that you are interviewing for instead."

Asking about the working culture can be a great way of showing enthusiasm for the role, suggests Luke. “For many candidates, this is the most important thing to look for in a new role. Questions focused solely on salary will reflect poorly and make the hiring manager question the candidate’s motives."

For more interview tips read our blog on 7 ways to stand out from the competition.

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The technical accountant usually works within financial control. Their remit is to add value to the business by providing commercial accounting advice to a bank. Technical accounting tends to comprise of specialists in International Accounting Standards (IAS), US GAAP, Irish & UK GAAP and IFRS.
A career in a technical accounting team will allow you to develop a thorough understanding of the latest developments in this area and how they impact the bank. 

Why choose technical accounting?

The increase in demand for individuals with a strong understanding of technical accounting issues has been fuelled by the introduction of IAS and IFRS. These rules govern the way in which trades are executed and accounted for and have a direct impact on the profitability of a bank.
A career in a technical accounting team will allow you to develop a thorough understanding of the latest developments in this area and how they impact the bank. 

A career in a technical accounting team will allow you to develop a thorough understanding of the latest developments in this area and how they impact the bank. Technical accountants very often form part of front office teams where their role is to devise ways in which to use accounting regulations to enhance a bank’s profitability or advise on the accounting rules that could prevent a trade being executed. This involves significant contact across the bank, including front office, legal, compliance as well as all other areas of finance. As the skill set remains fairly rare in the marketplace there is a premium paid for individuals who have developed a detailed knowledge of this area.

Career progression

Technical accountants can move into multiple areas within a bank:

• Financial control: Use the skills you have developed in relation to IFRS to take on a more wide ranging financial controlling role
• Product control: You will have the opportunity to develop a thorough understanding of the accounting treatment of products, particularly derivatives, so you will be in high demand to take on a more specifically product focused role
• Front Office: Take a seat on a trading desk as the accounting specialist – this can lead to a role as a trader

Interested in a career in corporate finance?

Take a look at our latest jobs in technical accounting here. Or get in touch with one of our experienced recruitment consultants on +353 (0)1 633 4111 or email here.

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Many Big 4 professionals grow weary of making a move based on common misconceptions either about their Big 4 journey or about what to expect from an industry role.

We take a look the most common myths about leaving a Big 4.

 

1. Once you leave you can’t go back

“What if I don’t like my role in industry?” “What if I don’t get on with the company culture?” One of the biggest misconceptions many Big 4 professionals have is that once you leave the Big 4 world you can never go back.

Many Big 4 candidates are hesitant to explore new possibilities just because they fear they will regret their choice and not be able to go back. But there’s no need for this concern. Given audit firms’ high turnover rate, if you find yourself missing your old job, any firm will gladly take you back. Big 4’s are also increasingly actively looking for former Big 4 professionals with a couple of years of field experience to take on more senior consulting roles.

The biggest thing to realise as you start thinking about leaving is that your career will not be over if you haven’t stuck it out until you’ve made it to manager or higher.

2. If you can audit the books you can also draft the books

As an auditor, you’ve become an expert at analysing figures and know accounting rules like the back of your hand. Drafting the books yourself should then not be a problem right?

Not really. Reporting requires other skills than controlling. Preparing accounts yourself and forecasting future scenario’s from current figures are different responsibilities from those of an auditor where all the figures are provided to you. The difference might seem small but you need to anticipate that your job content will look different. Transitioning to anything new is always hard – so give yourself a few months to learn the ropes and get past the learning curve.

3. You can’t leave until you’ve reached manager/director level

The biggest thing to realise as you start thinking about leaving is that your career will not be over if you haven’t stuck it out until you’ve made it to manager or higher. Yes, as a Big 4 manager you will assume more responsibilities and become an expert in some metrics specific to the Big 4 world, but all this extra experience does not always translate to industry.

As a senior auditor, you will have already developed many important hard and soft skills which appeal to most employers. Moreover, leaving prior to becoming manager provides you with more time and flexibility to settle into your new environment and develop all the additional skills which are necessary for a career in industry.

4. Salaries are higher in industry

There is a common misapprehension that all industry jobs pay better and that a significant pay increase can be expected when switching to an internal finance role. You will indeed likely be incentivised and receive a pay increase when making a move, but this increase only corresponds to the pay rise one should expect when changing jobs in the first place. Some jobs do indeed pay better in industry, but salaries vary depending on many factors such as experience, sector and general market conditions. While your Big 4 experience will certainly appeal to many employers, you will also need to acquire a much broader palette of skills in order to succeed in your new function. Keep this in mind when receiving salary offers and don’t underestimate the fact that your next employer will be taking a chance on someone who still has some learning to do.

Want to find out more?

Read more on what to do after leaving a Big 4 or have a look at our latest vacancies.

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What is internal audit?

A highly regarded discipline within a financial function, internal audit (also known as operational and risk review) provides a process and business unit review service that adds to shareholder value by improving business and financial controls. If you choose to go down this route, the main purpose of your role is to review risk management, control and governance processes and then identify improvement opportunities. You will then provide recommendations to drive change in the business. Internal audit addresses the entire range of operating activities and performs a wide variety of assurance and consulting services. It is an essential function of any business and is concerned with the financial workings of the entire organisation.

Why choose internal audit?

Internal audit is a great entry point into an organisation after working in practice. It’s a particularly popular route for those who want to utilise their current auditing skill set whilst gaining insight into the commercial side of a business. If you work in internal audit, you will generally have excellent opportunity to travel (locally and / or overseas), potentially taking up between 10% and 100% of your time.

Your time will be spent visiting each business area, reviewing their processes and procedures and understanding how they operate. You will have a real opportunity to get close to your business  and gain a comprehensive understanding of it first hand. You will also work closely with senior managers across a variety of operating units early on in your career. You will generally be at the heart of the business and facilitate improvements in conjunction with the management team.

Career progression 

There are two main career paths for internal auditors. You can either:

• Continue to specialise and become the Head of Internal Audit
• Broaden your skill set and move on to become Finance Manager (and then Finance Director) of a particular operating unit

Who should become an internal auditor?

If you have a background in practice and have strong technical audit skills, you are likely to do well in this role. You will need excellent commercial acumen so that you can quickly grasp the complexities of each different operating unit before offering concise and analytical reports to the business. Although the role draws heavily on your technical ability, it is crucial you have good interpersonal skills so that you can liaise with heads of business.

Salary of an internal auditor

Professionals can expect €55 - 75k for an internal audit role. While professionals seeking a head of internal audit function can expect salaries of between €100 - 130k.

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Are you interested in a job in internal auditing? Get in touch with our accounting & financial services recruitment team. 

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The sky’s the limit for finance professionals wanting to start their career in the aircraft leasing industry in Ireland. As growing demand for air travel spreads across the globe, the industry continues to see profits soar year on year and offers an attractive career path. This has lead to more and more ambitious finance professionals seeking to begin a career within the industry.

 

We identify how determined finance professionals looking at making the move can prepare themselves for a career in aircraft leasing and the benefits and challenges that come with the role.

What types of opportunities are available for finance professionals?

We have seen that accountants are in the strongest position to make the move into the aircraft leasing industry, particularly those coming from a Big 4 background.

And if you are coming from a private practice background, make sure to take the opportunity to do audit in these firms, as this experience will be highly valued when applying for a role.

Securing an auditing role with an aircraft leasing firm is the most typical route into the industry for accountants. The majority of firms are keen for accountants to move into more strategic positions within the industry, where ambitious professionals can achieve rapid career progression.

Professionals coming from a asset management background can also make the move into the industry, but this can typically be a more challenging route.

What type of academics would professionals need?

Within the aircraft leasing industry many employers regard academic qualifications as highly important when recruiting finance professionals. In particular, a masters degree is considered valuable.

In addition, other vocational qualifications in your specialised field, such as internal audit, can help you stand out from competitors who may also be considering to make their move into the sector.

How can professionals ensure they have a successful career within aircraft leasing?

Being successful as a finance professional in the aircraft leasing industry is a result of adopting a ‘big picture’ approach. As a sector which is impacted by domestic and international economic factors, the ability for you to demonstrate a high level of commercial acumen still remains popular with employers.

The aviation industry is supported by a surplus of publications, subscriptions and databases, so make sure that you always keep up to date with any industry developments and legislative changes that may arise.

What are the benefits and challenges that come with the role?

One of the most appealing elements of a career in aircraft leasing is the opportunity to get a higher base salary earlier on in your career. As a growing and very competitive industry, employers are keen to hire the best candidates and are willing to offer generous salaries to attract them.

However, it is worth considering that this attractive salary is often justified on the grounds that long hours are expected and achieving work life balance can sometimes be challenging.

Interested in a career in aircraft leasing? Get in touch with one of our experienced consultants or view our latest finance jobs in Ireland here. You can read more about careers in finance here.

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When nearing the end of your training contract within a Big 4, you are met with the question of: What type of accounting path should I follow? Should I pursue a career in private practice, make a move within industry or even leave Ireland for some international experience?

Identifying which path will best suit your skill set and ambitions can be challenging. We look at the points you should consider when making your choice to move into industry or private practice.
 

Why do Big 4 accountants make a move into industry?

Around half of accountants pursue this route. One of the major benefits this path offers is the ability to move your career along quickly, with opportunities for promotion common in industry roles.

Which role do most Big 4 leavers take on within industry?

For those who are interested in taking on a more strategic role, financial planning & analysis is the best route. Increasingly, employers are looking to their finance teams to provide insights into long term business development, so if you are interested in taking on these challenges then you are more than likely to find roles in this field highly rewarding.

Internal audit is typically a less popular route, with much of the role mirroring the work that you would have carried out during your role within the Big 4. However, if you are interested in gaining international experience within your role, internal audit may be the perfect route for you. Many multinational PLCs are keen to move internal audit professionals around the business globally in order to ensure a uniform approach across the firm.

In both cases, if you are looking to move into an in-house role you will be entering a job market where opportunities are widespread. And as more businesses look to establish operations in Dublin, more roles will become available. You should also consider that these roles are unlikely to be typecast into a single industry, with many employers being open to professionals with a background in a different field when hiring.

Can you also give us some good reasons to stay in private practice?

We have seen that almost one third of accountancy professionals enjoy staying within private practice, with the ultimate goal of becoming a partner within the firm.

One of the biggest benefits for a career in private practice is the structured style of career progression; firms are clear with their requirements to achieve promotion and many favour giving staff management experience early in their careers.

And if you are a more technically minded professional, then this route will also offer opportunities for you to work on increasingly complex internal audit projects, developing a thorough understanding of audit across a wide range of industries, particularly if the firm has a diverse client base.

However, you should keep in mind that salary increases can be slower than in other career paths and it can be difficult to leave private practice later in your career if you decide to make the move into an in-house role.

Despite this, a role in private practice can still offer varied experience, with the ability to move into different departments within the firm and gain exposure to different industries.

What about moving abroad and gaining international experience?

Once you have completed your training, gaining some overseas experience can be an effective way to differentiate yourself from other professionals in the market. This can also help to avoid candidate-saturated markets.

Just make sure to consider which locations will help you when you decide to make the move back to Ireland. Countries like the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Canada all operate under similar legal and financial regulatory systems to Ireland, so your experience will be applicable when you return. In addition, for Irish citizens it’s easy to get work permits in these countries, meaning you can arrive in the country without having already secured a role.

It is also important to consider the challenges that may come with leaving the country. In particular, employers may be concerned that you do not plan to remain overseas in the long-term, and might therefore be less likely to invest in training and development if you are from abroad. But you can turn this to your advantage by pursuing short term contracts and gaining experience across different industries and disciplines, helping you determine which path you want to pursue on your return.

Also bear in mind that many aspects of financial regulation are common across these regions, but differences still exist. So pursuing roles focused purely on technical accounting may be less advantageous in the long term, as some of this knowledge and experience might not be applicable in Ireland.

And what if I don’t want to stay within accounting?

The majority of qualified accountants choose to remain within the field, but it’s definitely  not uncommon for some to choose entirely different career paths. If you do, having qualified within a Big 4 firm can still be hugely valuable. This background possesses many transferable skills.

More general skills such a methodical approach to challenges, strong organisational skills and a structured mind-set can be hugely valuable in project management roles, or if you decide to start your own business.

Professionals with a technical understanding of accounting are also highly sought after for specialist recruitment roles. As a qualified accountant, you will be in a strong position to assess the skills and experience of finance and accounting candidates, and be able to identify which professionals will be an ideal fit for the role.

Interested in making a move from a Big 4 firm? Have a look at our latest jobs in accounting & finance or speak to one of our experienced recruitment consultants at +353 (0)1 633 4111 or email dublin.finance@robertwalters.com

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What is financial accounting?

As a financial accountant, it is your job to collect, record and extract financial information before summarising it in the form of periodic profit and loss accounts, a balance sheet and a cash flow statement.

You will also be responsible for the production of the statement of accounts and have a key role in the interim and yearend results reporting process. Liaising with external auditors to ensure a smooth and efficient running of the audit process and optimising tax effectiveness would be a part of this role too.

Why choose financial accounting?

Financial accounting is a great area to get into if you have a real enthusiasm for and excellent knowledge of accounting standards and processes. In larger organisations you will almost certainly be based at head office, so the role can offer early opportunities to be noticed by senior management. Because this role is concerned with the results for the whole company it also provides you with an excellent overview of the organisation, giving fantastic exposure to the heart of a company’s accounting functions.

Career progression

Financial accounting offers a clear career progression route. As you progress down the core financial route, either Financial Controller or Finance Director roles are likely to open up to you.

Who should become a financial accountant?

Those who are more technically orientated, who enjoy using and keeping their knowledge of accounting standards up-to-date are well suited to this role. If finding niche holes in tax structures or interpreting the depreciation of assets appeals, for example, then this role will allow you to make a real difference. 

Salary of a financial accountant

Newly-qualified accountants can expect salaries of €50 - 55k, while professionals with a few year's experience can expect €50 - 65k for a financial accountant role with financial services and commerce. 

Are you interested in a job as a financial accountant? Get in touch with our accounting & financial services recruitment team. Or see our latest accounting & finance jobs in Ireland here.

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What does an FP&A Analyst do?

FP&A Analysts are responsible for performing budgeting, forecasting and analyses to provide senior management with business cases and information to make major operational, financial and strategic decisions.

Typically working within a regional headquarter of a large national or international corporation, FP&A Analysts work on a regional level with various business units and upper management members both nationally and internationally depending on the size of the organisation.

An FP&A Analyst picks up where accounting leaves off to study, analyse and explain historical performance and forecast future results. Gathering information from different business units and operations, they build business cases, have a large business understanding and have an end-to-end overview of a corporation’s performance.

Which skills are necessary and what are the possible evolutions?

FP&A Analysts are excellent problem solvers, capable of handling a mountain of different data at a time. Previous experience with reporting tools (Hyperion, Cognos) and BI tools (Qlickview, SAP BI) would be considered a strong asset.

As this function is typical to large corporations, a good knowledge of English is usually required. To effectively communicate the impact of specific business issues and formulate growth scenarios, a high emotional intelligence is essential, as well as the ability to explain figures to non-financial people.

An FP&A Analyst can typically evolve into a role such as Business Unit Controller with A-Z financial responsibility over an entire division, or local CFO. Taking on a role as CFO for a larger structure is usually the ultimate goal. Newly-qualified professionals can expect a salary of €50 - 65k, whereas FP&A Managers can expect a base salary between €75 - 85k a year. 

Are you interested in a job in FP&A? Get in touch with our accounting & financial services recruitment team. Or see our latest accounting & finance jobs in Ireland here.

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A highly regarded discipline within a finance function, internal audit (also known as operational and risk review) provides a process and business unit review service that adds to shareholder value by improving business and financial controls. If you choose to go down this route, the main purpose of your role is to review risk management, control and governance processes and then identify improvement opportunities.

If you work in internal audit, you will generally have excellent opportunity to travel.
You will then provide recommendations to drive change in the business. Internal audit addresses the entire range of operating activities and performs a wide variety of assurance and consulting services. It is an essential function of any business and is concerned with the financial workings of the entire organisation. If you have a background in practice and have strong technical audit skills you are likely to do well in this role.

Why choose internal audit?

Internal audit is a great entry point into an organisation after working in practice. It’s a particularly popular route for those who want to utilise their current auditing skill set whilst gaining insight into the commercial side of a business. If you work in internal audit, you will generally have excellent opportunity to travel.

Your time will be spent visiting each business area, reviewing their processes and procedures and understanding how they operate. You will have a real opportunity to get close to your business and gain a competitive understanding of it first hand. You will also work closely with senior managers across a variety of operating units early on in your career. You will generally be at the heart of the business and facilitate improvements in conjunction with the management team.

Career progression

There are two main career paths for internal auditors. You can either:

• continue to specialise and become the Head of Internal Audit
• broaden your skill set and move on to become the Finance Manager and then Finance Director of a particular operating unit

Who should become an Internal Auditor?

If you have a background in practice and have strong technical audit skills you are likely to do well in this role. You will need excellent commercial acumen so that you can quickly grasp the complexities of each different operating unit before offering concise and analytical reports to the business. Although the role draws heavily on your technical ability, it is crucial you have good interpersonal skills so that you can liaise with the heads of the business.

Contact us

To explore your opportunities in accounting and finance in Dublin, contact one of our consultants at dublin@robertwalters.com or phone +353 (0)1 633 4111 or alternatively you can view current opportunities here.

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A fund accountant is primarily responsible for all aspects of day-to-day accounting for one or more assigned mutual funds and/or institutional funds. So how can you become a fund accountant in Ireland? We discuss what it takes to make it as a fund accountant in Ireland.

Ideally, professionals with an education in accounting, finance and/or business will be best suited to fund accountant positions. 

What are the current market trends?

The funds industry is continuing to improve with a steady stream of permanent positions released to the market. Dublin is generally recognised as a global hub for fund administration with most of the world’s leading operators based in the city. Although the global financial crisis significantly impacted these organisations, many firms began to lift headcount freezes and are now looking for quality candidates to reinforce their fund accounting teams.

What are the necessary experience and qualifications needed?

Ideally, professionals with an education in accounting, finance and/or business will be best suited to fund accountant positions. Employers generally prefer candidates with some relevant experience in the funds industry, with working knowledge of systems such as; Bloomberg, Reuters or InvestOne. Advanced MS Excel skills are also extremely beneficial.

What are the required skills?

As a fund accountant you will need to be an organised person who has the ability to handle deadlines under pressure such as month, quarter and year-end. You will also need to be a good team player as the average team size in this industry is between 8 – 12 people.

The right attitude is vital, especially at interview stage. Employers are looking for people who have a flair for the funds industry and have a desire to progress within this area. It is also important to target companies that suit your specific background, for example if you have experience in hedge funds it is important that you target a fund administrator that works on hedge funds and not (for example) fund of funds. It can be difficult to move between areas and employers have a preference for individuals who can come into a role and hit the ground running.

What is the career path of a fund accountant?

One of the major advantages of the funds industry is a clear and defined career path for fund accountants. In only a relatively short space of time, often just 2 – 3 years, a fund accountant could progress to a senior post and subsequently to a supervisor post before eventually moving into management.

Considering a career as a fund accountant?

Contact Robert Walters Dublin on +353 (0)1 633 4111 or email your CV to dublin@robertwalters.com

Check out our latest fund accountant opportunities in Ireland.

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The commerce and industry sector in Ireland is extremely diverse, offering a broad choice of organisation type, size and role.

If you chose to work in commerce and industry, you’ll potentially have access to an enormous breadth of opportunity across Ireland, with thousands of companies, from start ups to multinationals, recruiting talented accountants.

The sheer variety of industries draws many accountants into this area – you will have the opportunity to look at companies that operate within all the different fields of the private sector. And because of this variety, you are less likely to be pigeon holed and your skills are highly transferable.

It also allows a much more flexible career path if you have aspirations to become the CFO of a start up, or a multinational corporation, or you have wider ambitions to become CEO or COO – then commerce is an excellent route.

The choice of sector and size of the company obviously impacts on the types of roles available to you. Also the size of the finance function will dictate the exposure to the rest of the business, so you will find that although the job description may look similar, in reality, roles can be as diverse as the companies that you work for.

The choice of sector and size of the company obviously impacts on the types of roles available to you. 

Sectors within commerce and industry include:

• Construction
• Energy / natural resources
• FMCG / retail
• IT / hi-tech / telecommunications
• Manufacturing
• Marketing / media / advertising
• Pharmaceuticals / bio-technology
• Professional services
• Public sector /not for profit / charities
• Real estate / property

Working with tangible products and household names makes commerce and industry an exciting area to work in. It also offers the opportunity to become involved in the commercial decision-making process earlier in your career.

Contact us

To explore your opportunities in accounting and finance in Dublin, contact Ronan Farrelly on +353 (0)1 633 4111 or email ronan.farrellly@robertwalters.com alternatively you can view current opportunities here.

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If you’ve begun to think about leaving your Big 4 job, one of the many questions you might ask yourself is when? What looks better on a CV and improves your chances of securing a job?

The answer is not so clear-cut, as it will vary on each person’s situation and their goals. Whether you joined a Big 4 as a springboard for your career or were set on making partner, we generally advise professionals to make a move around three to six years of experience, in order not to leave either too early or too far into their Big 4 career.

 

Exiting as a Senior Auditor

Your Big 4 experience will have allowed you to rapidly develop skills and expertise which simply cannot be learned elsewhere. As a senior auditor, a promotion which usually happens around the third year, you will be given a team of juniors to supervise and will plan and oversee the audit process to ensure all client needs are met. This role will enable you to get a head start on developing some key leadership skills such as problem solving, communication and the ability to motivate others. As senior, you will also perform much more complex and risk based audits and will need to identify business process improvements, all of which give you a deeper understanding of the full audit cycle. For those reasons, staying put until you’ve become Senior will help you stand out from all those who left earlier on in their Big 4 career.

Transitioning into a new job always takes time. When stepping away from audit, you will need to further develop certain skills that are necessary to succeed in industry, such as a profound systems knowledge (SAP for example) and a broader business understanding. Leaving as a Senior for a controlling or analysis role, your new employer will be more easily forgiving to recognise some of your “limitations” and will provide you with the necessary time to settle in your new function.

Exiting as a Manager

Your extensive audit experience will have trained you to quickly acquire a general knowledge of your clients’ business. However, gaining a deeper understanding of one specific sector, its business needs, products, customers and even hurdles can only be learnt on the job. When applying for a management function or higher, employers look for seasoned professionals who are able to rapidly become operational. Surely, switching jobs always comes with an initial adjustment period, but transferring from a Big 4 to an industry job will require additional time for you to completely submerge yourself within a particular sector.

When stepping away from audit, you will need to further develop certain skills that are necessary to succeed in industry, such as a profound systems knowledge (SAP for example) and a broader business understanding. 

Furthermore, managing a team of auditors is not the same as managing an internal finance team. Instead of taking on a management function right away, it could be wise to take a role where you can learn from a seasoned manager who will show you the ropes of the business. For this very reason, we advise audit professionals looking to make a move not to wait too long past their manager promotion, which usually happens around the fifth year.

Want to find out more?

Read more on what to do after leaving a Big 4 or have a look at our latest vacancies.

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Analysts work at the forefront of the business – they maximise the commercial development of an organisation by controlling current and future financial information.

Analysts constantly track profitability, cash flow and working capital – generally the three most important factors dictating a businesses’ ability to grow, remain solvent and provide the required revenue for shareholders. In doing this, analysts enable businesses to make the most of potential opportunities for growth and learn from past successes and mistakes.

There are a variety of roles that fit into the business analyst/commercial analyst bracket – ranging from management accounting positions with elements of project work to pure analyst roles solely focussed on project based work.

Great communicators who are able to develop working relationships with commercial teams and other finance teams tend to thrive in these roles. 

Why choose this area?

Analysts tend to have a very good idea of the business drivers across and organisation and are involved in all group and commercial / operating functions. As an analyst you will gain real exposure to both the internal and external factors of a business, and are crucial to its success.

Career progression

Business analyst / commercial analyst roles are very high profile. In addition to liaising with all areas of finance, you will also be expected to explain the figures to non-finance employees, Overall, the role gives you excellent commercial exposure and is a fantastic route to a Managing Director position.

Who should become an analyst?

You should be an accountant who has already developed a high degree of commercial acumen and demonstrated good levels of analytical ability. Great communicators who are able to develop working relationships with commercial teams and other finance teams tend to thrive in these roles. To be considered for one of these high profile roles within an organisation you will also need to be enthusiastic with good time management and prioritisation skills.

Contact us

To explore your opportunities in accounting and finance in Dublin, contact Ronan Farrelly on +353 (0)1 633 4111 or email ronan.farrelly@robertwalters.com alternatively you can view current opportunities here.

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The demand for specialised financial professionals increases every year. And as pointed out in our 2018 salary survey, salaries are increasing correspondingly Ireland. Why choose a career in finance and what does it take to make it big?

A talent for finance usually becomes apparent in high school. A knack for maths and a sharp analytical mind form a perfect basis for getting a degree in economics or accounting and a promising career.

Career paths

With a Bachelor of Accounting degree and without too many further qualifications, you can start in a a basic accountant role. From there you can develop towards a position with more responsibilities, such as finance manager. Grads often aim to fulfil a more commercial role, where they function as a sparring partner for sales and marketing. For example a role as manager business control, or business controller.

The ultimate goal for many finance professionals is to one day become CFO. If this is what you aspire to achieve, you’ll need a post-master title like ACA or ACCA, fulfill several roles in finance and gain deep knowledge about every financial aspect of an organisation.

For any finance professional with aspiration to take on a more senior role such as business control or financial planning & analysis, taking on a financial controller role is a smart step in the right direction.

An auditing role in a Big 4 accounting firm is a great way to kick-start your career and get a wealth of accounting experience and a feel for many different organisations. After a couple of years, Big 4 professionals will come to a point where they’ll consider staying in Big 4 and progress there (with becoming partner being the main ambition), or transition to a long term position in industry.

A career in finance is not something that you can jump into with some quick on-the-job training. The skills that you need are complex and professionals that combine the right technical skills with an analytical mind and good soft skills are very much in demand. This makes for a career path with lots of freedom in choosing an employer with a cultural fit, and above average wages.

Read more on the different finance career paths in Ireland here:

Corporate Finance
Financial Accounting
Financial Controlling
Internal Audit
Management Accountant
Regulatory Reporting
Technical accounting
Trainee Accountant
Business or Commercial Analyst

See our latest accounting & finance jobs in Ireland here. 

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If you are a newly-qualified accountant, now is a good time to consider your career options and you have a number of options available to you.

 As a newly-qualified accountant, understanding the different career paths available and identifying which area your skills set is most suited to can help when planning your accounting career.

Here, we explore the various pathways for a newly qualified accountants and what you need to consider for your future career.

Internal Audit

Internal audit offers project-based work as opposed to just the pure audit you would see in an external audit role. It presents an opportunity to be very visible and develop key relationships across the entire business. It’s a great way to get to know the work of other departments. 

Typically, an Internal Auditor position involves project work, controls and risk, and really understanding how the business works. Stakeholder engagement is also key. If you’re from a practice background, internal audit can be the perfect platform to launch your skills into industry.

Within these roles, finance professionals gain huge exposure to the latest technology in analytics and develop a data-centric approach to problem-solving. With such great exposure to these technologies and level of data really develops your analytical skills and capabilities

A career in internal auditing can lead to many opportunities of across various roles once you have gained the essential experience in a business. It is a career path that may lead you to positions such as chief audit executive up to board or C-suite level.

Management Accounting

Management accountants utilise a combination of skills in their role, including accounting, management techniques and business strategy. In this area of accountancy, you will assist in the commercial decision-making process of a company rather than merely looking after the books and recording data.

Your responsibilities will include looking at the financial implications of any decisions in order to aid growth and build profit, often working closely with the managerial team – at the core of the role you are there to assist those at board level to answer tough questions. For this reason, key skills we look out for are attention to detail, problem-solving, communication skills and analytical and numerical skills.

There are endless opportunities for management accounts across numerous businesses, from Big 4, private, SMEs to start-ups. A career in management accountant can take you on the path to becoming a finance manager or finance director.

Finance Manager/ Finance Controller 

Industry experience at any level for an FA or FC position is highly sought after, with the finance manager level the busiest in the market.

Finance managers or financial controllers are responsible for the financial ‘health’ of an organisation, providing strategic direction and development plans to help increase profit and reduce risk. Industry experience at any level for an FA or FC position is highly sought after, with the finance manager level the busiest in the market.

The day-to-day role of an FM or FC typically involves management of the wider finance function, financial planning & analysis, tax & treasury and project work related to mergers & acquisitions and general business development and planning. 

Finance managers or finance controllers work closely with executive teams and highlight opportunities for efficiency to board level stakeholders.  

There are many career directions for FM’s and FC’s and depending on experience and qualifications, can often become CFO within five to 10 years.  Certain small companies often outsource their accounting and financial advisory sectors offering vast interim opportunities across the board to help assist in the financial growth and sustainability of multiple SME businesses.

Group Accounting

Group accountants play a vital role in some of the largest and most complex companies in the world, helping to keep them on the path of profit and sustainability. As a group accountant you will most likely work in the head office, ensuring the company is complaint and in line with the right accounting procedures.

Group accountants will be involved in preparing consolidated financial statements and may be asked to provide financial information to help the decision-making process at board level, while looking at the profitability and overall business performance.

As well as strong technical accounting skills, companies, not just financial businesses, but clients across numerous sectors tend to look for strong communicators. They want business partners with drive and ambition who can communicate directly to the board. Managing the board is an essential part of the group accountant position and the sooner you are managing a team in commerce, the sooner you will climb the ladder.

With deep experience within a group financial commerce position will fast track your CFO ambitions. We see professionals we place into group accountant positions develop the essential skill sets and understandings that have provided leverage to achieve career ambitions such as becoming CFO.

Business Analysis / Commercial Analysis

There is a diverse set of opportunities for an experienced business analyst professional. A business analyst is someone who works with people within an organisation to understand their current business problems and needs and then interpret, translate and track the required business needs in terms of specific business requirements for solution providers to implement. 

There is a diverse skill set required for a business analyst, but the key skills are deep analytical knowledge and problem-solving abilities to translate the business needs into specific solutions for business development and profitability.

The biggest attraction to a career as a business analyst is the diverse career paths it can take you. Based on your interests and qualifications, after a few years’ experience you can pursue a career as an operations manager, product owner or management consultant.

Deciding which path will be the most suitable for you after qualifying can be quite a challenge. Therefore, determining your career objectives during the early stages of your profession is important as each option can lead you onto a different road. 

For instance, if you’re aware that you want to be a financial director in the next five years then following an audit management accounting and group accounting path could be your best options to begin the journey.

Whether you are looking to unfold a long-term career objective or simply looking to gain experience in the short term before determining what your next role will be, we encourage newly-qualified accountants to be open-minded about the opportunities available.

Register your CV now to be matched with an accounting role best for you.

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