Corporate accounting offers roles such as accounts assistant, management accountant, financial accountant, cost accountant, internal auditor, and eventually finance manager or controller.
What is the corporate sector?
Most businesses offer accountancy positions, and the scope can range from a sole accountant within a small business to a multinational department within a large corporation.
Whatever you choose, the goal is to help your business make effective decisions based on exceptional financial insight. The range of roles that contribute to this objective is extensive. You could be producing and analysing financial reports to advise the business of its current and projected financial position. You could also be involved in auditing, financial management, tax issues, insurance, sustainability, and meeting legislative and regulatory requirements. For this reason, those who embrace change with heightened soft skills and cognitive flexibility are likely to be attracted to the corporate sector.
Roles in this sector
Read about some of the roles open to you in the corporate sector, and why you should choose ACCA to learn the skills required for each role.
Frequently asked questions
Corporate accounting focuses on managing a single company’s finances, including reporting, budgeting, and compliance. Public accounting involves working for an external firm providing audit, tax, and advisory services to multiple clients.
Essential skills include financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and proficiency in Excel and accounting software. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills are also important.
ACCA provides globally recognised technical knowledge, business strategy understanding, and ethics training. It equips you to handle complex corporate finance tasks and opens doors to senior roles internationally.
Corporate accountants are needed in virtually every sector, including retail, manufacturing, banking, healthcare, technology, energy, and professional services.
Starting as a trainee or accounts assistant, you can progress to financial or management accountant roles, then to finance manager, controller, head of finance, or CFO positions.
In the UK, entry-level corporate accountants typically earn £25,000–£35,000, mid-level roles range from £40,000–£55,000, and senior positions like finance manager or controller can exceed £70,000.
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