As perceptions of the finance industry continue to evolve, successful businesses are increasingly aware of the fact that finance capability is a driver of their success rather than a result of it. With finance functions ever more integrated with broader business strategy and receiving greater representation in the boardroom, the time is opportune for business-enabling talent to leave practice positions and move into finance jobs within high growth entrepreneurial businesses.
Despite this evolution of the industry finance function, many newly qualified Charted Accountants are hesitant about moving out of practice due to prevailing misconceptions. Finance jobs in industry are erroneously believed by some professionals to be at a relegated level to those in practice, perceived as being a backroom overhead rather than a driver of front line fee earning. Historically, some finance jobs in industry have been removed from the rest of the business and treated as a necessary expenditure rather than a crucial growth catalyst. In 2015, however, this misconception is just as outdated as the handful of businesses guilty of having operated in such a manner.
For ACAs who want to make more money, scale the corporate ladder and get real exposure to commercial decision making, industry finance jobs within fast-growing businesses should be the
1. Career opportunities are more diverse within industry finance jobs
Working in a commercial environment exposes ACAs to a range of diverse opportunities, allowing them to expand and develop their skillset in an environment that encourages continuous career development. Aside from the change of pace and new experiences that industry affords, the break from traditional
2. Working within industry finance jobs allows you to influence change
Industry finance jobs can place you in the boardroom and allow you to directly influence stakeholder decisions. Non-financial stakeholders will often require your insights into P&L,
3. Industry finance jobs offer greater earning potential
Finally, as a Chartered Accountant working in a commercial business rather than an accountancy practice, the salary increase is significant. With only one client to work with rather than multiple accounts, the workload is therefore more consistent whilst still offering superior monetary rewards.