Accountant - Private practice
Provide services to help people and businesses manage their money effectively.
About the job
What it's like
As an accountant in private practice, you'll help people and businesses manage their money and stay financially healthy. Your clients could range from small start-ups and family businesses to large companies and high-net worth individuals.
You'll prepare financial records, check accounts and give advice to help clients meet their legal obligations and make better financial decisions. Depending on the size of the firm you work for, you may cover a broad range of services or specialise in a particular area such as tax, auditing or insolvency.
Your tasks might include:
preparing financial statements, budgets and business plans
producing annual and monthly accounts
carrying out audits of company accounts
filing fax returns and providing tax advice
advising on financial systems, profitability and performance
supporting clients in financial difficulty, including insolvency cases
You'll need to be comfortable explaining complex financial information in a clear way, as you'll often work with people who don't have an accounting background.
Discretion is essential, since you'll be handling confidential financial details. Accountants need a strong understanding of the business world and the ability to work with people at all levels.
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) – explore accounting and finance jobs in Scotland
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants – browse guidance, resources and updates
Internal Association of Accounting Professionals – find out how qualifications are recognised and get access to accredited training centres
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Related industries
Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.
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Financial and professional services
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- understanding
- analysing
- time management
- developing a plan
- attention to detail
- observation
- working with numbers
- problem solving
- working with technology
- verbal communication
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
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Accounting
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Business
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Economics
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Maths (Mathematics)
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Skills for Work: Financial Services
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Foundation Apprenticeship: Financial Services
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Foundation Apprenticeship: Accountancy
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Applications of Mathematics
You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.
Discover what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
University
You'll need a degree to become an accountant in private practice. You could study subjects, such as:
Accountancy
Accounting and Finance
Business Studies
Economics
Finance
Mathematics
Use the My World of Work course search to find degrees.
College
Getting qualifications at college, such as an HNC or HND, could help you progress to more advanced study. Useful subjects include Accounting or Business Studies.
Apprenticeships
Modern Apprenticeships (MAs) mean you learn on the job. You get paid and work towards a qualification at the same time. You might want to consider an MA in Accounting.
Graduate Apprenticeships (GAs) are designed for industry. You'll spend most of your time learning on the job but you'll also go to uni. You'll have a job, get paid and work towards a qualification at the same time. You might want to consider a GA in Accounting.
Professional qualification from a recognised body
After your degree, you'll need to complete a professional qualification from one of the recognised bodies. This is where you'll gain the official status of a chartered or certified accountant. The professional bodies offer training programs, often through graduate schemes with firms, where you study and work at the same time.
Recognised bodies include:
Once in the job, you'll need to gain professional qualifications from a recognised professional body.
If you want to work as a registered company auditor, you must hold an audit qualification from a Recognised Qualifying Body (RQB).
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