How to get your first accounting job with no experience

Thinking about a career in accounting but worried you don’t have enough experience to get your first job?

You might be surprised at how many opportunities are available to people who are just starting out. You don’t need to be a qualified accountant, or have years of finance experience, to take your first step into the profession.

Entry-level roles can give you the opportunity to learn as you work, while building the skills and experience you need to progress. And there are things you can do now to make yourself a stronger candidate.

Start by looking at entry-level accounting roles

Your first accounting job doesn’t have to be a big step. In fact, starting in an entry-level role can be a great way to learn how a finance team works and build practical experience.

Look out for roles such as:

• Accounts assistant
• Finance assistant
• Payroll administrator
• Accounts administrator
• Purchase ledger assistant
• Sales ledger assistant
• Bookkeeping assistant

These roles can involve everything from processing invoices and recording transactions to helping with payments, reconciliations, and financial records.

The exact responsibilities will vary between employers, so don’t worry if you don’t meet every requirement listed on a job advert. If you have the right attitude and some relevant skills, it can be worth applying.

Build your accounting and bookkeeping skills

Having a basic understanding of accounting can help you feel more confident when you’re applying for your first role.

Start with the fundamentals, such as:

• Debits and credits
• Double-entry bookkeeping
• Income and expenditure
• Accounts payable and receivable
• Bank reconciliations
• Maintaining financial records

You don’t need to know everything before you apply for your first job. Employers hiring for entry-level positions will expect you to have plenty to learn.

If you’re new to accounting, a bookkeeping or accounting course can give you a structured way to develop your knowledge and show potential employers that you’re serious about starting a career in the profession.

Get to know accounting software

Accounting isn’t just about understanding the numbers. You’ll also need to know how to work with the tools that finance teams use every day.

It can be useful to develop some experience with popular accounting platforms such as QuickBooks and Xero. There are courses and online resources available to help you get familiar with how they work.

It’s also worth spending some time developing your Microsoft Excel skills. Finance teams often use spreadsheets to organise information, carry out calculations, and analyse data, so being comfortable with Excel can be a useful addition to your CV.

You don’t need to master every feature. Start with the basics, then build your skills as you gain confidence.

Look for ways to gain practical experience

Your first experience of bookkeeping doesn’t necessarily have to come from a job.

Local charities, sports clubs, community groups, and other organisations may appreciate some extra help with their finances. If you have the opportunity, offering your time could give you valuable practical experience while supporting an organisation in your community.

Depending on the organisation and your level of experience, you might be able to help with tasks such as updating spreadsheets, organising receipts, recording income and expenditure, or maintaining basic financial records.

This can give you something useful to talk about when you start applying for jobs, too. Instead of simply saying that you’re interested in accounting, you can show employers that you’ve already taken steps to develop your skills.

Just make sure you only take on tasks you’re comfortable and qualified to carry out, and that the organisation has appropriate checks and oversight in place.

Don’t overlook the skills you already have

When you’re applying for your first accounting job, it’s easy to focus on the experience you don’t have.

Instead, think about what you do have.

Many skills from other jobs, education, volunteering, or everyday life can be useful in accounting. You might already be organised, comfortable working with numbers, good at spotting mistakes, or confident using spreadsheets and other computer software.

Perhaps you’ve worked in retail and handled payments. Maybe you’ve worked in an office and managed data or spreadsheets. Or you might have developed strong communication and time-management skills through another job.

Think about the requirements in the job advert and look for examples from your own experience that demonstrate those skills.

Make your CV show your potential

You don’t need to fill your CV with accounting experience you don’t have. Instead, make the most of the experience and skills you can demonstrate.

Include relevant:

• Qualifications and training
• Accounting or bookkeeping courses
• Software skills
• Voluntary experience
• Previous work experience
• Transferable skills

If you’ve completed a bookkeeping course or learnt to use Xero, for example, make sure it’s easy for an employer to see that.

You can also use your personal statement to explain why you’re interested in accounting and what you’re doing to develop your skills.

Be ready to talk about your motivation

If you’re invited to an interview, remember that the employer already knows you’re applying for an entry-level position. They won’t expect you to have the same experience as someone who’s been working in accounting for years.

Be prepared to explain:

• Why you’re interested in accounting
• What you’ve done to learn about the profession
• Which skills you can bring to the role
• Any practical or voluntary experience you’ve gained
• What you’d like to learn next

You might also be asked questions about basic accounting principles, so revisiting topics such as bookkeeping, debits and credits, and financial statements before your interview can help you feel prepared.

And don’t be afraid to talk about what you don’t know yet. Showing that you’re willing to learn can be just as important as demonstrating what you already know.

Take your first step into accounting

Getting your first accounting job without previous experience might feel like a challenge, but you don’t have to have everything figured out before you start.

Look for entry-level opportunities, build your understanding of accounting, develop your software skills, and look for ways to gain some practical experience. Most importantly, don’t wait until you feel completely ready before you start applying.

Your first role is where you’ll begin building your experience.

From there, you can continue developing your skills, work towards a professional accounting qualification, and explore the different career paths available within the profession.

You don’t need to know exactly where your accounting career will take you. You just need to take the first step.

Let Eagle help you get there – look at the AAT qualification, and try it free for seven days to make sure it’s the right fit.