Career Advice for Newly Qualified Accountants in London

Just qualified as an accountant in London? What’s next for your career?

Congratulations! You’ve done the hard yards—passed your exams, survived the study-life juggle, and finally qualified as an accountant. So… what now?

For many newly qualified accountants in London, this moment is both exciting and a little daunting. You’re standing at a crossroads: do you stay with your current employer, or is it time to explore different jobs in finance and make your next big career move?

Let’s break it down.

Option 1. Staying with your current employer

Pros:

Salary uplift: Many firms offer a significant pay increase once you qualify—sometimes 20–30% or more. It’s a solid reward for your effort and can make staying feel like the most straightforward option.

Familiarity: You know the people, the systems, and the culture. There's no need to prove yourself all over again.

Growth opportunities: Some companies have well-defined progression paths for newly qualified accountants, especially in larger finance teams.

Cons:

Pigeonholing: You may find yourself stuck in the same role or type of work, especially if your team sees you as “the same person, just qualified.”

Limited exposure: Staying in one company can narrow your experience—moving roles often brings exposure to different industries, reporting styles, and business models.

Missed market opportunities: London’s finance job market is fast moving and there are plenty of options available for most newly qualified accountants. Not testing the waters could mean missing out on great opportunities or even higher salary bands.

What to do if you decide to stay

If you decide to stay, don’t just assume things will happen automatically. You’ve hit a career milestone, and it’s the perfect moment to have a proactive conversation about your future.

Time it right
Book a one-on-one meeting with your manager soon after qualifying (ideally after receiving confirmation of your results). Avoid catching them off-guard—give them a heads-up that you’d like to discuss your career now that you’ve qualified.

Do your research
Know your market value. Finance jobs in London offer a wide salary range for newly qualified roles, depending on sector and size of company. Recruiters’ salary guides (yes, we can help!) can give you the inside scoop.

Be clear on what you want
Whether it’s a salary review, a title change, more responsibility, or exposure to a different area of finance—know what you're asking for, and why. Tie it back to the value you bring and your long-term goals.

Talk progression, not just pay
Money is important, but so is your development. Ask about what the next 6–12 months might look like. Are there stretch projects you can get involved with? Opportunities to work cross-functionally or with senior stakeholders?

Stay professional (even if you’re frustrated)
If the answer is "not right now," keep calm and ask for clarity on timelines, expectations, or what you need to demonstrate. Then decide if those answers work for you—or if it’s time to explore different jobs in finance elsewhere.

Option 2: Making a move‍

Pros:

Fresh challenge: New role, new team, new learning curve - it can reinvigorate your motivation and accelerate your development.

Better pay (sometimes): While not guaranteed, switching roles can often come with a bump in salary - especially in competitive finance jobs in London.

Tailored fit: Now that you’re qualified, you might want to move into a niche area or industry you’re passionate about - tech, media,  you name it.

Cons:

Uncertainty: A new environment means an adjustment period. There’s always some risk in the unknown.

Starting over (sort of): You may need to build new relationships and navigate a new office culture - though that’s not always a bad thing!

Decided to move on? Here’s what to do next

‍If you’ve made the decision to explore different jobs in finance, here are a few smart steps to set yourself up for success:

Update your CV
This is your step - and it's worth spending time on. Make sure your CV reflects your newly qualified status. Highlight key achievements, systems you’ve worked with, and how your role evolved over time. Quantify impact wherever possible - think “reduced reporting time by 30%” or “supported budgeting for £50m revenue unit.”

Refresh your LinkedIn profile
Many hiring managers and recruiters will check this before even picking up the phone. Update your headline and summary to show you're now qualified, open to opportunities and clear about what you’re looking for in the finance space.

Speak to a specialist recruiter
We know the market, the salary benchmarks and what hiring managers are really looking for. Working with a recruiter who specialises in finance jobs in London can save you time and open the right doors.

Prepare for interviews
Think about how to communicate your value—technical ability, soft skills, and potential. At this stage in your career you should also be able to demonstrate that you've put some thought into your future career goals and be ready talk about how the role you're interviewing for fits into that picture.

Keep an open mind
There are so many different jobs in finance to explore. You might surprise yourself with what actually fits you best once you start looking.

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There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. Whether you stay put or explore new finance jobs in London, the most important thing is that the move—whether internal or external—aligns with your personal and professional goals.

And if you are curious about what’s out there? Let’s have a chat. We specialise in placing newly qualified accountants into the right roles across London’s fast-paced finance market. Whether you want advice, market insight or to start applying—we’re here to help.

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