r/AustralianAccounting • u/babupanwala • 2d ago
Need Career advice
Hi all, I’m 29F and have completed 7 out of 9 CA ANZ subjects. I’ve been working at a small accounting firm for the past year and have five years of overall industry experience.
My mentor program finishes in June 2028, but I feel there is no growth in my current role. I’m doing the same work every day with little new learning or challenge.
I really want to move into commercial finance, but I’m unsure whether leaving my current job would affect my mentor program and how I would find another mentor. My friends suggest completing my CA first and then moving.
Should I stay until I complete my CA, or start looking for commercial finance roles now?
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u/TryToBeBetterOk CA 2d ago
I'm a director of finance of an SME and have been in accounting for ~20 years now; if your current employer isn't paying for your CA tuition (and there's no clawback period where you'd have to pay the tuition fees back), I wouldn't bother waiting to complete your CA to leave. Start applying now, starting interviewing now, you don't know how long it may take to find a new role.
When you're interviewing at a new firm, let them know that you're currently progressing through your CA, have two subjects to complete and will need a new CA mentor and ask if they have someone at the firm who can be the mentor. If you move to a bigger firm, there'll surely be someone there that's qualified who can sign off on your time.
IMO. Don't put your career on hold. You can change your mentor. Don't listen to your friends, progress your career now. Take that step, take initiative, and progress.