How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- combining work with studying a professional qualification
University
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.
Entry requirements
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
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Apprenticeship
You could take your first steps towards a career as a management accountant by applying for place on an apprenticeship, such as:
- Professional Accountancy Technician Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
- Accountancy and Taxation Professional Level 7 Apprenticeship
Entry requirements
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
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Other Routes
To become a qualified management accountant, you could train with a professional body, for example:
- Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
- Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA)
- Institute of Financial Accountants (IFA)
They all have different entry requirements and ways to qualify, so it's important to check with them which is the right route for you. If you already have relevant accounting or business-related qualifications, you may be able to qualify in a shorter time.
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Career tips
Look out for ways to get experience in a company's finance department or with a financial organisation. There may be opportunities to do:
- work shadowing
- Easter and summer holiday schemes
- virtual and workplace internships
- year in industry placements
These are offered by small and medium-sized businesses, as well as large national companies. They can give you an insight into the career and help you make contacts in the sector.
Further information
You can learn more about working and training in accountancy from the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).