JOBS & CAREERS SPRING 2018 - 83

FINANCE
Finance
is seen as
white and
male, but it
is changing

(forensic accounting). You'll deal with all
these if you work for a small accountancy
practice; in larger practices, you're
more likely to specialise in one area.
What qualifications do I need? You'll
usually need at least two A-levels and
three GCSEs grade 9 to 4 (A* to C),
including maths and English. You don't
need a degree or maths A-level, but you
must qualify with one of the following
professional bodies: Association of
Chartered Certified Accountants,
Institute of Chartered Accountants
in England and Wales, Association of
International Accountants or Chartered
Institute of Management Accountants.
How much can I earn? Salaries start
around £18,000 to £27,000, rising to
£50,000 with experience. Partners
can earn £100,000 a year or more.

Management accountant

WORDS TRISH LESSLIE IMAGES SHUTTERSTOCK

Many experts remain optimistic that
leaving the EU could create opportunities
opportunities to work for online banks
and supermarkets that offer banking
services. A typical role involves helping
with the financial requirements
of individuals and businesses, and
providing advice and financial services
including loans and overdraft facilities,
saving accounts and bonds.
What qualifications do I need? If you
don't have a degree, you may be able to
join in an entry-level role and work your
way up through in-house courses. It's
also possible to get an apprenticeship.
Retail banks and building societies offer
graduate management training schemes
that are open to all graduates - you
don't need a finance-related degree.
How much can I earn? Management
trainees earn in the region of £18,000 to
£25,000, plus possible bonuses. Salaries
can rise to around £40,000 for your
first management role, up to £70,000.

Corporate investment banker
These advise companies, institutions
and governments on how to achieve
their financial goals and implement
long- and short-term financial plans.
You'll manage corporate, strategic

and financial opportunities, including
mergers, acquisitions, bonds and shares,
lending and privatisations. You may also
advise and lead management buyouts,
raise capital and secure new deals.
What qualifications do I need? Banks
usually ask for at least a 2:1 degree
and often specify a minimum number
of UCAS points. New trainees must
complete Financial Conduct Authority
exams. Some employers may also require
further professional qualifications.
How much can I earn? The average
starting salary is £30,000 to £40,000.
After three or more years, salaries can
reach £50,000. Those with experience
may earn a base salary of around £150,000
or more. Pay is often performance
related and bonuses can sometimes be
four times the base salary or more.

Private practice accountant
As a PPA, your duties may include
preparing financial statements, business
plans and budget reports, producing
accounts, auditing, managing clients'
spending and costs, filing tax returns and
giving tax advice, helping businesses in
financial difficulty and investigating fraud

As well as looking after a company's
accounts, these accountants advise on
the financial implications of business
decisions, prepare reports, budgets,
commentaries and financial statements.
Similar roles are also available in the
public and not-for-profit sector.
What qualifications do I need? Any
degree is accepted, although qualifications
in accountancy or mathematical,
management or business subjects are
useful. There are a number of professional
accountancy bodies you can train with,
including the Chartered Institute of
Management Accounting (CIMA).
How much can I earn? The average
salary for graduates entering accountancy
is around £28,000. Salaries increase
substantially after passing the relevant
examinations. An average basic
salary of over £33,000 is usual for a
student studying for a professional
qualification with CIMA. CIMA-qualified
professionals earn on average just
over £64,000, including bonuses.

Find out more
* Association of Chartered Certified
Accountants accaglobal.com/uk
* Chartered Institute of Management
Accounting cimaglobal.com
* Financial Conduct Authority
fca.org.uk
* Pensions Management Institute
pensions-pmi.org.uk

J O B S & C A R E E R S /// 8 3


http://www.accaglobal.com/uk http://www.cimaglobal.com http://fca.org.uk http://pensions-pmi.org.uk

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JOBS & CAREERS SPRING 2018

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