Management accountant
Also called Chartered management accountant.
Management accountants oversee a company's finances and find ways to improve profits.
- Potential salary
- £30,000 starter to £60,000 experienced per year
- Typical hours
- 37 to 39 a week. Working pattern: between 8am and 6pm.
- Career area
- Business and administration
- Where they might work
- You could work at a client's business or in an office.
- A typical task
- prepare financial statements and accounts
- Subjects that may help
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
- Typical route
- You could do a degree in any subject then apply for a place on a graduate training scheme to work towards a professional accountancy qualification.
- Interest area used here
- Organising information and detail, Starting things and persuading
What you might do
- prepare financial statements and accounts
- monitor spending and budgets
- analyse the company's financial performance
- make business decisions
- audit departments in your company
- forecast and plan future spending and ways to reduce costs
Could this suit me?
Consider which of these skills and ways of working appeal to you.
- knowledge of economics and accounting
- maths knowledge
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- administration skills
- analytical thinking skills
- the ability to work well with others
More skills
- ambition and a desire to succeed
- excellent verbal communication skills
- to have a thorough understanding of computer systems and applications
Routes into this career
University route
- You could do a degree in any subject then apply for a place on a graduate training scheme to work towards a professional accountancy qualification.
- If you want to take a more focused route onto a graduate scheme, you could study for an accountancy related degree, like:
- accountancy
- accounting and finance
- business and management
- maths
- Some degree courses may give you exemptions from certain professional accountancy training modules.
- You'll usually need:
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths
- equivalent entry requirements
- student finance for fees and living costs
- university courses and entry requirements
University courses that could lead to this career
These are course families, not published offers. A link does not mean the degree is sufficient on its own.
- Accounting and finance
Common route. A relevant degree. Professional accountancy exams are still required. Other degrees also lead onto graduate schemes.
- Business management
Alternative route. Less direct than accounting. Professional exams still apply.
Apprenticeship or vocational route
- You could take your first steps towards a career as a management accountant by applying for place on an apprenticeship, such as:
- Professional Accountancy or Taxation Technician Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
- Accountancy and Taxation Professional Level 7 Apprenticeship
- You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
- equivalent entry requirements
- guide to apprenticeships
Career progression
- With experience, you could become a:
- finance manager
- chief financial officer
- finance director
- chief executive
- You might also become a self-employed management consultant or work as a financial business analyst.
Subjects that may help
Subject guidance
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship