🧾 Accountant → Controller → CFO
Finance & Accounting career path
Technician entry routes, management accounting, then a chartered/CPA licence and CGMA.
Typical roles
- Accounts Assistant
- Accountant
- Financial Controller
- Finance Director
- CFO
Suggested certifications, by phase
Foundation
- AAT L3 AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting
- ACCA FIA ACCA Foundations in Accountancy (FA/FMA/FFA – Diploma in Accounting and Business)
- CIMA CertBA CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting
- ICAEW CFAB ICAEW Certificate in Finance, Accounting and Business
Core
- AAT L4 AAT Level 4 Diploma for Professional Accounting Technicians
- CMA Certified Management Accountant
- CIMA Dip MA CIMA Diploma in Management Accounting (Operational level)
- ACCA DipIFR ACCA Diploma in International Financial Reporting
Advanced
- US CPA Certified Public Accountant (United States)
- ACCA ACCA Qualification (Chartered Certified Accountant)
- ICAEW ACA ICAEW Chartered Accountant (ACA)
- CPA Canada Chartered Professional Accountant (Canada)
- CA (India) Chartered Accountant (India)
- CIMA Adv Dip MA CIMA Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting (Management level)
Mastery
- CGMA Chartered Global Management Accountant (ACMA, CGMA)
- CSCA Certified in Strategy and Competitive Analysis
A suggestion, not a set of prerequisites — one or two certifications per phase is plenty.