January creates a sense of urgency in accountancy careers. Conversations restart, opportunities appear more visible and movement across the market accelerates. For many accountants, this momentum feels validating as though action is not only possible, but expected.
Yet not all January moves are equal.
Some are the result of careful thought, clarity and long-term planning. Others are reactions to pressure, fatigue or frustration finally reaching the surface. The challenge is knowing which is which before committing to a decision that shapes years, not months.
Why January Feels So Compelling
January does not create dissatisfaction. It legitimises action.
After the reflective pause of Christmas, unresolved questions feel sharper:
- Am I progressing at the pace I expected?
- Is my role still developing me?
- Do I see a future here, or just continuity?
When the working year resumes, acting on those thoughts suddenly feels practical. But momentum alone is not strategy.
What a Strategic Career Move Actually Looks Like
A strategic move is anchored in clarity rather than emotion. It tends to have several characteristics:
- The decision would still feel right six months from now
- The move aligns with long-term development, not short-term relief
- Progression, learning or exposure materially improves
- The role fits where you want to be in three to five years
- The motivation is positive pull, not negative push
Strategic moves are deliberate. They are not rushed even when they happen quickly.
What a January Reaction Often Looks Like
A reactive move is usually driven by urgency rather than intention. Warning signs include:
- Acting primarily to escape workload or pressure
- Being drawn to salary alone without considering trajectory
- Overlooking culture or leadership fit
- Accepting vague progression promises
- Feeling relief at the offer rather than confidence in the role
Relief fades quickly. Alignment does not.
Why Timing Can Be Misleading
Many accountants assume that because January is busy, it is automatically the right time to move. In reality, January is simply when the market becomes visible again.
The quality of a decision depends far more on why you are moving than when you do.
A strong role in March is better than a rushed role in January.
A considered move is always better than a hurried one.
How to Sense-Check Your January Decision
Before committing, ask yourself:
- Would I still pursue this role if the market were quieter?
- Does this move strengthen my CV, or just change it?
- Am I excited about the work or relieved to be leaving?
- Does this role move me closer to where I ultimately want to be?
If the answers are unclear, more thinking, not more speed is required.
A Final Reflection
January is a powerful moment for clarity, but clarity does not demand haste.
The strongest careers are shaped by decisions made with intention, not urgency. Understanding the difference between a strategic move and a January reaction is one of the most valuable skills an accountant can develop.
About Public Practice Recruitment Ltd
Public Practice Recruitment Ltd supports accountants at all levels across the UK, helping them make informed, strategic career decisions aligned with long-term progression not short-term pressure. Get in touch.
