Happy National Careers Week!
Whether you’re an aspiring accountant, a seasoned professional, or a firm looking for top talent, now is the perfect time to hit pause and think about where you’re heading.
See, this week isn’t just about students choosing their first job. It’s about career growth, new opportunities, and making bold moves in your professional life.
At Public Practice Recruitment Ltd, we work with both accountants and accountancy firms to help them find the perfect match. Whether you’re looking to land your dream job or hire exceptional talent, this is the time to take action.
Why Practice?
Maybe you’re an aspiring accountant reading this?
Or perhaps you currently work in industry, but you’re interested in returning to a career within public practice?
The benefits of pursuing an accountancy career in practice include:
- Diverse Client Exposure – Work with businesses of all shapes and sizes across different industries. No two days are the same.
- Clear Career Progression – Want to move from Semi Senior to Partner? Public practice lays out a roadmap to make that happen.
- Continual Learning & Development – Stay ahead with ACA, ACCA, ATT, or CTA qualifications, plus hands-on technical experience.
- Trusted Advisor Status – More than just crunching numbers, you’ll advise businesses, drive strategy, and add real value.
- High Demand & Flexibility – With hybrid and remote work options, now’s a great time to find the perfect work-life balance.
For accountancy firms, National Careers Week is the ideal time to assess your hiring strategy. Are you attracting the right talent? Do you have the skills needed for growth?
This week is about thinking ahead and making sure you have the right team in place.
How National Careers Week Can Benefit You
No matter where you are in your career, or if you’re a firm looking for top talent, this week is for you.
Candidates: Time to Take Charge
We spoke recently about the how the future of accountancy training could be at risk if the axing of Level 7 apprenticeship funding does go ahead. Therefore, there’s no better time than National Careers Week 2025 for graduates or part-qualified accountants to ask themselves:
- Am I on the right career path?
- Do I have the right support for my qualifications?
- Is my current firm offering the opportunities I need to grow?
If the answer to any of these is “I’m not sure” or “probably not,” it’s time to explore new options. Firms are actively looking for ambitious accountants like you (and it’s likely we know a few close to you!)
Firms: Attract and Retain the Best Talent
For accountancy firms, National Careers Week is a wake-up call.
The demand for top-tier accountants is at an all-time high, and candidates have more choices than ever.
So, if you’re a hiring manager looking to secure top talent, ask yourself:
- Are we offering the career progression candidates want?
- Do we have a compelling employer brand?
- Are we retaining and developing our top talent?
If your answer is “we could do better,” then it’s time to step up your hiring game. Streamlining your interview processes is just the start!
How to Make the Most of This Week
Want to use National Careers Week to your advantage?
No matter your seniority, here’s a few ways every professional within practice can utilise National Careers Week:
For Accountants:
- Update your CV and LinkedIn profile – make sure it reflects your achievements and ambitions. However, don’t make the mistake of inflating your job titles or responsibilities. Keep your CV impressive but honest! Employers appreciate authenticity and transparency.
- Network strategically – Connect with industry professionals, recruiters, and fellow accountants. The wider your network, the more opportunities you’ll uncover. Attend webinars, comment on industry discussions, and engage in conversations that position you as an active participant in your field.
- Speak to a specialist recruiter (like us!) – Whether you’re actively looking for a new role or simply exploring your options, a conversation could go a long way. We can provide market insights, salary benchmarks, and tailored opportunities that fit your long-term career goals.
- Consider your long-term goals – Where do you see yourself in five years? If you aspire to become an RI, transition into advisory, or specialise in a niche, now is the time to take steps in that direction. Research additional qualifications, mentorship opportunities, or firms that align with your ambitions.
For Hiring Managers:
- Review your hiring processes – Are you attracting and retaining top talent? Is your firm missing a trick? If you’re struggling to hire, consider how your employer brand and job offering compare to competitors. The firms that win the best talent are the ones that prioritise their hiring process.
- Highlight your firm’s culture and career progression paths – As a sector that’s largely shaped by M&A activity, candidates want to join a firm that prioritises professional development. Make that clear to prospective candidates.
- Assess your retention strategy – Hiring is one thing, but keeping top talent is another. Are your employees engaged, challenged, and supported? High turnover is costly, so now is the time to strengthen your internal career development programs.
- Partner with a specialist recruiter – The accountancy recruitment market is competitive. Partnering with a specialist recruiter (like us) ensures that your firm is connected with the best candidates. We’ll take the laborious task of direct hiring off your hands to bring the best results and maximise your chances of landing the best candidates on the market.
Let’s Make This Week Count
National Careers Week is your opportunity to take control of your future – whether you’re an ambitious accountant or a firm looking to grow. Don’t let it pass by without taking action.
At Public Practice Recruitment Ltd, we work with candidates and firms across all seniorities within practice and every region of the UK. Whether you’re a newly qualified accountant looking for your first step up, a Partner considering equity opportunities, or a firm that needs help securing top talent, our experienced team of specialist recruiters is here to help.
If you’re ready to explore new opportunities or strengthen your hiring strategy, now is the time to act.
Get in touch with our team today to see what that could look like for you.
