Career Progression Pathways for Accountants: Top Roles to Explore

If you’re considering a career in accounting, understanding the career progression pathways and top roles is key to planning your career. Below, we explore top senior-level roles that accountants can pursue, with descriptions of each and the pathways to get there.

Why choose a career in accounting?

As mentioned, accounting is a versatile and rewarding career path, offering almost limitless opportunities for progression in the corporate world. Skilled accountants are not confined to traditional finance roles. With experience and strategic upskilling, like pairing their finance skills with a master of management, professionals can transition into senior leadership, executive-level roles and board positions across any industry. In fact, many CFOs, CEOs and directors began their careers in accounting or finance, using their analytical expertise and commercial insight as a foundation for broader business leadership.

Career progression pathways for accountants

The combination of hands-on accounting experience and advanced management education allows professionals to understand the bigger picture: operational strategy, conditions of cashflow, organisational growth and risk management. Here are just some of the senior roles accountants can set their sights on as their careers progress:

Chief Financial Officer

The chief financial officer (CFO) is one of the most senior positions in any organisation. CFOs oversee the company’s financial strategy, manage budgets and forecasts and ensure the organisation remains financially healthy. CFOs' responsibilities go beyond traditional accounting and include influencing strategic decisions, mergers and acquisitions, investment plans and risk management.

For example, a CFO might lead the financial assessment of a potential acquisition, determine the long-term impact on cash flow and profitability and then present strategic recommendations to the board. They also set high-level financial goals, advise on capital allocation and ensure the company meets regulatory and investor expectations.

To reach a CFO position, accountants typically need extensive experience across financial reporting, corporate finance, audit and strategic planning. If you want to be a CFO, a master of management or an MBA can help leverage your skills as an accountant to provide the leadership and organisational insight required to operate at the executive level.

Finance Director or Head of Finance

A finance director or head of finance is responsible for the overall management of the finance department, including overseeing reporting, compliance and operational financial planning. This role focuses heavily on strategy, ensuring the company’s financial operations align with long-term business objectives.

For example, a finance director might lead a project to restructure the company’s budgeting process, implementing new forecasting models that give leadership better insight into cash flow and investment opportunities. They may also present quarterly financial performance reports to the board, advising on areas for cost optimisation or investment. Accountants aiming for this position should build a track record of managing large teams, leading complex financial projects and contributing to organisational strategy.

Chief Operating Officer

While not exclusively a financial role, the chief operating officer (COO) benefits from a strong accounting background. COOs oversee the organisation’s day-to-day operations. A COO with an accounting background might review operational budgets across departments, identify inefficiencies in resource allocation and implement process improvements that increase productivity while reducing costs.

Accountants moving into COO roles leverage their analytical skills to optimise processes and align operations with strategic goals. To reach this level, accountants often diversify their experience beyond finance, gaining exposure to operations, HR and project management.

Financial Controller

A financial controller is responsible for internal accounting, financial reporting and compliance. Controllers ensure that financial statements are accurate and in line with regulatory standards. For example, a financial controller might implement new accounting systems to streamline reporting, prepare monthly management accounts, ensure regulatory compliance and provide insights that help the finance director or CFO make strategic decisions. They also often lead audits, manage payroll and monitor cash flow to keep operations running smoothly.

This role is ideal for accountants seeking a leadership path that remains close to technical financial work while expanding into management. Gaining experience in as wide a range of accounting fields as you can, like auditing, tax and internal finance operations, positions accountants to advance into director or executive-level roles.

Audit Director

The audit director oversees risk management, internal controls and compliance. This role, often called other names like head of internal audit, makes sure the organisation meets regulatory standards, mitigates risk and protects against financial fraud. As an audit director, you might lead a team evaluating the company’s internal controls, while designing new compliance protocols, coordinating with external auditors and providing strategic recommendations to improve financial governance.

Accountants pursuing this path usually begin in audit roles and gradually take on leadership responsibilities, managing teams and advising senior management. Strong analytical and investigative skills, combined with industry certifications and experience in risk assessment, are key to reaching this senior position.

Head of Tax 

Specialised accounting professionals may aim for head of tax or tax director roles. These positions involve managing the organisation’s tax strategy, navigating tax reforms, maintaining compliance with local and international tax laws and identifying opportunities for tax efficiency. For instance, a head of tax might manage a team preparing corporate tax filings, making sure they’re following tax principles. They also advise on the tax implications of mergers or acquisitions. They often work closely with finance and legal teams to align tax planning with broader business objectives.

Career progression typically involves working in corporate tax or public accounting, gaining expertise in complex tax structures and developing a strategic mindset. Advanced degrees in taxation or finance, along with CPA or chartered tax advisor qualifications, greatly enhance the pathway to this senior role.

More specialised senior roles

Cash flow is a part of all corners of modern business. This means that accounting now also opens doors to specialised senior positions that may pique the interest of some accountants passionate about specific areas. Some of these include:

• Head of ESG Accounting – leads initiatives around environmental, social and governance reporting, ensuring sustainability and ethical standards are met.

• Director of Digital Finance or Technology – oversees financial systems, digital transformation and data analytics to modernise finance operations.

• Forensic Accounting Director – manages investigations into fraud, embezzlement, and financial crime, often working with law enforcement or legal teams.

These roles require a combination of deep technical expertise, strategic thinking and leadership skills. Accountants with certifications and special interests in sustainability, technology or forensic accounting may find the perfect career progression in these more specialised roles. 

Final thoughts

Accounting is a launchpad for leadership. When you know accounting, you’re speaking the language of business, which means senior leadership and executive roles are well and truly within your line of vision. This is also one of the reasons why there is a shortage of accountants, and they will always be in demand.

From financial controllers and directors to CFOs and even COOs, the profession offers pathways into executive decision-making and boardroom influence. Modern accountants who strategically pair experience with advanced management education can break traditional ceilings, shaping business strategy, sustainability initiatives and innovation across industries. Remember, it’s never too early to start planning out your entire career pathway. So, the earlier you map out your career trajectory, the more time you have to gain the skills and education needed to reach these senior positions.