With the New Year just around the corner (we can’t believe it either!), now is a great time to take stock of where you are in your career and make sure that you’re on track to achieving your goals.
If you decide that you’re not quite where you want to be, how do you know if you should make a move in your career, or stay put? Here are some signs that it's time to look for something new, and how to go about doing just that:
If you're an accounting professional in Canada, chances are that at some point during your career you’ve had to do repetitive work. While this could be a ‘slow and steady’ approach to reaching your career goals, it’s easy to find yourself seeking out more challenging experiences and projects.
You may think that all of your options in terms of public or private accounting careers are limited to the same type of job just at different companies, but that isn't necessarily true. There are tons of opportunities out there for accountants who want more variety in their work and are willing to expand their skill sets. Having access to a variety of challenging and engaging situations in the workplace is essential to helping you develop professionally and expand the limits of your capabilities in your career.
If you find yourself craving more challenge in your role, it’s important to already be a top performer, demonstrating that you’re ready to take on harder tasks. From there, consider what challenges you feel you could step up and tackle. For example, if your goal is to move up into a management role, you may want to try leading a project or two. It’s also important to determine your strengths. This will allow you to understand the types of challenges you’re suited for, as well as helping you to identify any gaps in your knowledge and skills you need to grow.
It’s easy to get sucked into working longer hours than you’re supposed to. “I’ll just take a quick look at my emails”, then BAM before you know it, it’s 9pm and you’re knee deep in an Excel sheet. Trust us, we’ve been there!
Ultimately everyone has a different idea of what work/life balance looks like, even more so in the age of hybrid, remote working and “the new normal” - 74.4% of respondents to a Global Advisory Trends Report (21/22) indicated they prefer flexible working options, and we don’t see this slowing down and so firms are having to accommodate this. However you define it, it’s no secret that the ability to maintain a healthy balance has a positive impact on your job satisfaction.
If you find that your current working hours don't balance out with everything else in your life, take some time to reflect on where you are currently and what your ideal balance is. Chances are there are opportunities out there perfectly suited for you. From there you can use filters in your job search now that you’ve narrowed down what you’re looking for. But we know that can be tedious and time consuming, the complete opposite of your work/life balance goal. If you’re considering a move but aren’t able to find a role that works for you, try speaking with a recruiter.
What do you do if you don’t think your current role isn’t right for you? Firstly, know that’s ok! Qualified accountants are in demand, and there's no shortage of opportunities in accounting, taxation, auditing, cloud accounting and valuations and beyond, so the right role is out there, it’s just about finding it. Whether you’re currently in public accounting and interested in switching to another role in that area, or perhaps you’re interested in switching service lines entirely and heading into industry. The great thing about accounting is that your career is unlikely to be a straight path, with so many avenues to explore there are various ways of getting you from a junior position to a more senior role.
If you feel as though there would be another role more aligned to your career path, have a think about where you want to be and what you need to get there, then it’s time to make a move. Either internally in your company by speaking with your supervisor, or seeking an external role elsewhere that is aligned with your goals. It can feel overwhelming to make the decision to pivot in your career path, after-all it is a big decision. Finding a mentor or speaking with an expert recruiter can help make the transition that bit easier.
If you’ve been in your role doing the same thing for a good few years now it’s likely that you’re ready to take a step up in your career. That might mean a new job title or salary, but it's also possible that you're just ready for more challenges and responsibilities. With over 30% of participants in a McKinsey study stating that their reasons for leaving a role was ‘lack of career development and advancement potential’, you aren’t alone.
Whatever your reasoning for your advancement, keep your eyes on the prize and ask yourself what you want out of your career. This step is crucial and will help you visualize what your next role could look like, oftentimes you’ll discover an opportunity that you hadn’t previously considered.
Think about where you are in your career and where you ultimately want to be. Does your current role still align with your goals? If not, it might be time to consider other opportunities out there. There are so many ways accountants can grow and advance in their careers, and no two career paths are the same. Choosing to make a move in your career is a big decision, but no one hits their goals by staying somewhere comfortable. No matter your reason, when you're ready to make a change, Minted Search Group are able to help.
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