Management accountant

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• an apprenticeship
• combining work with studying a professional qualification

University

You could do a degree in any subject then apply for a place on a graduate training scheme to work towards a professional accountancy qualification.

If you want to take a more focused route onto a graduate scheme, you could study for an accountancy related degree, like:

• accountancy
• accounting and finance
• business and management
• maths

Some degree courses may give you exemptions from certain professional accountancy training modules.

Entry requirements:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You could take your first steps towards a career as a management accountant by applying for place on an apprenticeship, such as:

• Professional Accountancy Technician Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
• Accountancy and Taxation Professional Level 7 Apprenticeship

Entry requirements:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

OtherRoutes

To become a qualified management accountant, you could train with a professional body, for example:

• Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
• Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA)
• Institute of Financial Accountants (IFA)

They all have different entry requirements and ways to qualify, so it's important to check with them which is the right route for you. If you already have relevant accounting or business-related qualifications, you may be able to qualify in a shorter time.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to have a thorough understanding of computer systems and applications

Skills:

• knowledge of economics and accounting
• maths knowledge
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• administration skills
• analytical thinking skills
• the ability to work well with others
• ambition and a desire to succeed
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to use your initiative
• knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
• customer service skills
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to read English
• active listening skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• business management skills
• excellent written communication skills
• the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
• concentration skills
• the ability to work well with your hands

What you'll do:

Management accountants oversee a company's finances and find ways to improve profits.

As a management accountant, you could:

• prepare financial statements and accounts
• monitor spending and budgets
• analyse the company's financial performance
• make business decisions
• audit departments in your company
• forecast and plan future spending and ways to reduce costs

Location : You could work at a client's business or in an office.

Salary:

Starter : £30,000
Experienced : £60,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

37 - 39 hours a week

Working Pattern is between 8am and 6pm

Career Path:

With experience, you could become a:

• finance manager
• chief financial officer
• finance director
• chief executive

You might also become a self-employed management consultant or work as a financial business analyst.