Roles and opportunities for chartered accountants

Public practice

Chartered accountants in practice work within an accountancy firm providing a range of accountancy and tax services to clients. These include business advice, management consultancy, audit and taxation.

Firms vary in size from the sole practitioner to one of the big four multinational accountancy firms. Around 30% of ICAEW members currently work in practice. They either progress through senior grades and ultimately to partnership, or specialise in a particular area.

Business

Accountants are often employed within an organisation using their financial knowledge and expertise to control the management of the business and to help it develop. They can occupy roles such as finance director or fund manager within organisations ranging from one of the Top 100 FTSE listed companies to smaller organisations. Around 45% of ICAEW members currently work in business.

Corporate finance

Large firms often have specialised departments in corporate finance. Work involves securing finance for company mergers, acquisitions, management buy-ins and buy-outs and capital reconstructions. A job in corporate finance requires skills in negotiation with finance providers, lawyers, researchers and other key professionals.

IT

Those accountants with an aptitude for computing could find themselves specialising in accounting IT. Work is largely project driven and could involve, for example, the automation of the accountancy of a company or implementing new systems in accountancy firms.

Forensic accounting

Investigations into commercial fraud, personal injury cases and civil cases often require the testimony of expert witnesses in accountancy. Large firms often have specialised departments in litigation support composed of qualified accountants.