Variety and Challenge

Commerce and industry drive the economy, responsible for the exciting and varying fluctuations behind countries fortunes. Whether privately or publicly owned, FTSE quoted or start-up, acquisitive or refocussing on a core business, companies in commerce and industry provide the prospect of a varied and continually challenging career.

The diversity of the sector - spanning dot coms, distribution, fast-moving consumer goods, leisure, media, pharmaceuticals, property, retail, shipping, telecommunications and more is enormous. The UK and international business arenas offer cultural and geographical choice, and the chance to add value to a company from day one while becoming part of its success story.

For those with an accountancy training, the attractions of commerce and industry include:

Variety and Opportunity
Chance to Add Value
Cultural Fit
Geographical Mobility
Owning a Part of the Business

TYPICAL EMPLOYERS INCLUDE: Colt, BT, EMAP, Cable & Wireless, BBC, Diageo, News International, Saatchi & Saatchi, MCI Worldcom, Sony, Walt Disney

Variety means choice, and the chance to make career decisions more closely matching your needs and desires. No other sector offers more variety than commerce and industry.

As a newly qualified accountant, you can choose to experience the scale and business opportunities of an established multinational, or the excitement and growth of a start-up. You could work in timeshare or telecommunications, pharmaceuticals or property, shipping or shopping, to name but a few.

You will gain exposure to a wider skill set, saving you from cloning and stagnation and giving you a distinct advantage as you climb the corporate ladder.

No longer suffering from the 'beancounter' image, today's accountant is viewed as a dynamic individual capable of making a real impact on the fortunes and future progression of the company. The role of the finance function within business has also changed. Far from being restricted to reconciling the numbers, paying the bills and managing the debt, finance today is expected to add value: controlling the development of the business, spotting trends and increasing margins. You will be expected to contribute and will be asked for your opinions. The work that you do matters - it has an impact.

Owning a Part of the Business

Careers within commerce and industry can offer you an opportunity to share in the success you help to deliver. Remuneration is not restricted purely to salaries: many organisations reward employees through stock options which, particularly in start-up situations, can be highly lucrative. Generous bonuses, both personal and company-related, may also be available.

In the commerce and industry sector, the choice of environment is limitless. Whether you want to work in a fast-moving company where the pace is constant and vibrant, or more of a leisurely culture where the flexibility is high, it is for you to decide. You may want to work from home, or capitalise on the office and related social scene and City life in general. Some individuals thrive on the hands-on culture of an entrepreneurial start-up, whilst others like the organised career path and stability more typical of a large top-flight organisation. Smart pinstripe or casual, corporate City dynamo or liaising with media creative writers in a more relaxed environment you can choose a different culture for each successive role as you build on your CV's skills.

Geographical Mobility

A career in commerce and industry offers more geographical mobility than, say, the Financial Services sector. Rather than being restricted to large finance centres or huge conurbations, commerce and industry openings arise in cities and in regional settings. International opportunities through secondments and sabbaticals are also common.

Financial Controller

SUMMARY: As the name suggests, the Financial Controller is responsible for co-ordinating the daily routine of a finance team. The controller is responsible for the monthly, quarterly and yearly reporting and ensuring that the various departments in the business produce timely and accurate results that give a true representation of the health and wealth of the business.

BACKGROUND: Finance Controllers must be flexible and have a diverse skill set. You need to be a good communicator, able to give commercial advice to senior non-finance managers. Successful controllers are good all-rounders who hold a financial qualification.

CAREER PROGRESSION: The obvious progression from Financial Controller is to Finance Director. However, it is also possible to move into a commercial controller role or become a Group Financial Controller.

Financial Accountant

SUMMARY:
As a group accountant you will be based in the Head Office assisting in the co-ordination and review of the statutory and corporate reporting. The role is broad, giving you a good insight into the companies workings and also exposure to a variety of accounting skills, e.g. VAT, tax and treasury in addition to financial and management accounting.

BACKGROUND:
A strong group accountant needs to have a good eye for detail and not shy away from high-level exposure to senior management. Group accountants have a high profile within companies.

CAREER PROGRESSION:
Group accounting offers two routes of progression: to Group Financial Controller, or a move into an operating unit or division.

Commercial Accountant

Summary: A commercial accountant would normally take a support role within a business. Primarily you will be attached to a particular division, such as marketing, circulation or distribution. Your role will involve providing ad hoc commercial information to operation managers. You will liaise on a daily basis with non-finance professional, and may even be expected to be client facing. First class interpersonal skills are essential to succeed in this role.

Background: Commercial Accountant roles are popular, so you will need to have a good examination track record. Essential to achieving this kind of role is the ability to demonstrate a good commercial understanding of business, and have outstanding interpersonal skills.

Career Progression: This role can lead to a variety of roles including, Commercial Controller, Divisional Finance Controller/ Director or Financial Planning Manger.

Management Accountant

SUMMARY: A head office based role responsible for reporting the companies predicted future performance. Working closely with key members of the finance department, management accountants utilise historical based reports to prepare information such as budgets, forecasts and variance analysis in order to provide management with a detailed picture of the companies financial direction.

BACKGROUND: A management accountant needs a good mix of financial reporting experience along with strong analytical skills. Usually holding a professional accounting qualification an eye for detail and a commercial focus are important traits of the role.

CAREER PROGRESSION: Management accountants enjoy an element of variety in relation to career path planning. A management accountant can either follow the traditional accounting career path to finance manager, financial controller and financial director or they can move into more analytical and commercial roles such as business analyst and commercial manager.

Systems Accountant

Summary: Because the flow of financial information is today carried on complex financial packages, often meshed in to bigger ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems, there is often a need, in bigger businesses, for systems accountants.

You will work on identifying, integrating and developing financial systems to meet the ever-changing needs of the business whilst also having an ongoing involvement in management accounting or project issues and their budgetary impacts.

Background: You don't necessarily have to have had exposure to the many financial packages on the market but a solid grasp of IT and an ability to learn quickly are essential.

Career Progression: Can get further in to the I.T and systems side (well remunerated in today's market) or revert back to more mainstream finance, perhaps as an analyst.

Business Planner

Summary: A support role, responsible for compiling budgets across the business, assisting with the analysis of the new business opportunities and providing a financial resource for senior management within the division. Working in the business-planning department, you will be working with the division's Chief Executive, Finance Director and other senior management.

Background: You will be a qualified accountant (preferably chartered with first time passes), have strong qualitative and analytical skills and the ability to liaise with senior level management staff.

Career Progression: From a planning role, you can move into a variety of positions: analytical, strategic, commercial, support for sales and marketing or a financial controllership.

Summary Analysts

Summary: Analysts collate, review and make recommendations on a company's business and financial position. They also develop commercial and financial models, liaise with senior management and are involved in ad hoc work such as preparing business cases, competitor analysis or reviewing information relating to key performance indicators.

Background: Analysts are usually qualified or hold an MBA, are graduates and highly numerate with an eye for detail as well as a good knowledge of business and an ability to see the bigger picture.

Career Progression: Like planners, analysts can move into most line roles and also into more general business positions - such as sales, sales and marketing or business development.

Opertational Review

Summary: You will be part of an internal audit department, carrying out key commercial projects. These could include systems or procedural improvements or risk minimisation. The work can also involve visiting operational sites in the UK and abroad. The analyst's role is seen as an excellent first move from practice.

Background: The ideal candidate is a recently qualified accountant from an external audit background. You need to have good interpersonal skills, as you will be liaising with non-financial staff at all levels, from shop floor upwards. The flexibility to travel is also beneficial.

Career progression: Operational review positions are seen as a good stepping stone into your first line role, whether that is as a financial or management accountant or controller of a division. For those that wish to specialise in this field, the opportunities within blue-chip companies are excellent.

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