In much the same way we prioritise regular health check ups, taking time to assess the health of your career is equally important. A career health check allows accountancy professionals to step back and objectively assess whether their role continues to support both short term satisfaction and long term ambitions.
Across practice, demand for experienced audit, accounts, tax and advisory professionals remains strong. Insights from Accountancy Age and ICAEW continue to highlight persistent skills shortages, rising workloads and increasing expectations on fee earners. In this environment, remaining proactive rather than reactive is critical to sustaining a healthy, rewarding career.
Progression: Is There a Clear Path Forward?
Progression within practice accountancy is rarely defined by job title alone. True progression includes exposure to more complex work, increased client responsibility, leadership development and opportunities to specialise.
A healthy career should offer clarity around promotion criteria, access to structured development plans and regular performance discussions. Many professionals reach a point where technical development slows, advisory exposure is limited or the route beyond manager level becomes opaque.
If your responsibilities have increased but your development and recognition have not, it may indicate that progression within your current firm has stalled.
Workload: Is the Balance Sustainable?
Workload remains one of the most common pressure points within practice. While peak periods are expected, particularly around audit cycles and filing deadlines, sustained excessive workload is neither inevitable nor sustainable.
A career health check should assess both the quantity and quality of work. Are resourcing levels realistic? Is work allocated appropriately across teams? Do you have the systems and support required to work efficiently?
ICAEW research has increasingly pointed to burnout as a key retention risk within the profession.
Remuneration: Does It Reflect Your Market Value?
Remuneration is a fundamental indicator of career health and should be reviewed regularly. This includes base salary, bonuses, benefits, pension contributions and flexible working arrangements.
With salary movement across the market remaining active, particularly for qualified and manager level professionals, it is essential to understand how your package compares regionally and by firm type. Accountancy Age continues to report upward pressure on salaries where firms compete for experienced talent.
If your remuneration has not kept pace with increased responsibility, inflation or market trends, this can quickly impact motivation and engagement.
Future Prospects: Where Is This Role Taking You?
Looking beyond the immediate role is a vital part of any career health check. Consider whether your current firm supports your longer term objectives, whether that is partnership, leadership, specialism development or exposure to advisory led work.
It is also important to assess the wider health of the firm itself. Growth strategy, client mix, investment in technology, and succession planning all influence future opportunities.
A role may feel secure today, but lack the structure or ambition to support your future career goals.
How to Evaluate Your Current Career Health
An effective career health check requires honest reflection. Consider the following:
- Am I continuing to develop technically and professionally?
- Is my workload demanding but sustainable?
- Do I feel appropriately rewarded for the value I deliver?
- Can I clearly see where this role leads over the next three to five years?
An external perspective can be invaluable. A confidential conversation with a specialist accountancy recruiter can provide insight into market benchmarking, alternative career paths and opportunities that may not be visible internally.
How Rowland Recruitment Can Help
A career health check is about awareness, alignment and informed decision making. In a candidate driven market, the strongest positions are held by professionals who understand their value and plan proactively rather than waiting for change to be forced upon them.
At Rowland Recruitment, we work closely with accountancy professionals across practice to provide honest market insight, salary benchmarking and long term career guidance. Whether you are actively considering a move or simply want to sense check your current position, a confidential career health check can provide clarity and direction.
