Questions To Consider When Changing Firm

This short piece is aimed at Practice Accountants who might be considering moving to a larger, similar sized or smaller firm. A career in practice can be incredibly rewarding, helping businesses grow/ develop and operate successfully.

You should always look at moving firm in the context of your 3 – 5 career plan.

What are your motivations?

• Working to Manager/ Director/ Partner
• Working towards opening your own firm
• Looking for steady role with a firm that will offer good work/ life balance

What do you feel might be lacking in your current role and will the role/ firm you’re considering be able to offer what you are looking for?

The following questions might assist with the decision-making process and will hopefully help you make solid, well-informed choices.

• Moving to a Larger Firm – Big 4/ Top 20
• Working for a larger firm can offer a host of advantages –
• Having an international brand name on your CV
• Working with larger clients – PLCs etc
• Exposure to interesting/ technical work
• Defined career progression

What might be required –

• Working on client sites for longer periods (audits)
• The work you are doing might have a more specific focus
• Longer hours (TOIL is frequently offered)
• Working in a larger office environment

Would you be happy to do this?

Questions like the above might help in your decision-making process and finding what might be best for you!

Moving to a Mid-Sized or Smaller Firm?

Working with a Mid-Sized or Small Firm can offer a wide variety of opportunities in a dynamic and fast-moving SME sector. If considering a position with an SME it might be worthwhile considering the following, with your career plan in mind.

Senior Accountants and Managers looking for progression

• Do you want to progress within a firm to Manager, Director or maybe (in time) Partner level?
• If so, have you considered what might be involved (business development etc)?
• Why is there an opportunity with them now?
• Is there a Partner retiring in the near future?
• What has their growth been like year on year?
• Do you want to eventually open your own firm?
• Have you spoken with others who have done this?
• Is this role/ firm offering a stepping stone to that goal?

Accountants looking for a steady role or work/life balance?

• Will this role require off site travel? If so, how often and for how long?
• Do they offer flexitime?
• Do they offer an option to work from home?

Part or Recently Qualified

• Do you want to gain exposure to different/ larger clients?
• Is there a specific sector you’re interested in?
• What firms might offer this?
• When did they promote a member of staff last?

Who will I be working for?

A key insight I always try to give is what a firm’s partners are like as people.

• What do they value?
• What are their interests?
• What do they expect from their staff?
• What is the working environment like? (Do they promote a social scene)

Your recruiter should be able to give you a thorough brief on most, if not all, of the questions above.

If you would like to have a more detailed conversation about your next career move, please get in touch directly –

E – patrick@claritysearchpartners.ie

P – 0871902963