Changing Focus, Not Career

Barb Parks, istockphoto.com

There are many different types of accountants and finance professionals, and each one does a different job. You may find that the tax field or project management are particularly attractive. Changing specialties is not unheard of, and it can help you remain interested in your work.

By Robert Elsenpeter, Star Tribune Sales and Marketing

Last update: May 10, 2009 - 10:28 PM

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Additional Considerations Before Making A Change

Make a plan.
Be confident in your decision to make a change.
Don't rush into a new career field because you are dissatisfied with your current job or boss.
Make a list of current skills you can bring to a new job.

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The accounting and finance career isn't just limited to one type of work. There are specialized fields such as accounts receivable, taxation and auditing. Accountants who want to switch between specialties can do so with some extra training.

Different Duties

If you're interested in working at the same company, but with different responsibilities, that can be possible.

"Once you get in, prove yourself as a good performer, you can make changes at the same employer," says Mark Flaherty, director of sales at SALO Project. "You'll have a proven track record; you'll have allies in the organization."

It comes down to being a good worker and having a good network in place.

"It really is who you know," notes Flaherty. Some accountants like the ability to work flexibly. That is, they get on with a staffing service and pick and choose the opportunities that interest them.

"People sign up for consulting for variety," says Flaherty. "It's ideal for those motivated by variety and change."

Work Without A Net

Making a career change isn't a move to be made on a whim.

"I have seen people who have made a huge change, and to do so they either went back to school or just fell into it," says Minde Frederickson, business development manager at Oberon.

To make a career change work, Frederickson advises building a strong network and being willing to take a risk.

It is easier to make a specialty change earlier in one's career, rather than later, because you will already be established in that particular field.

"The more junior you are, the easier it is to make a jump," says Flaherty.

With increased demands for reporting and education, accountants are needed.

"There really is a lot of job security in this field," said Flaherty.

Making a change happens all the time, but it is necessary to establish yourself as a quality finance professional in your field before trying to reach for more.

Robert Elsenpeter is a freelance writer from Blaine.

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