{"id":618,"date":"2025-11-19T12:57:46","date_gmt":"2025-11-19T12:57:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.konnekt.com\/about\/?post_type=resource&p=618"},"modified":"2026-07-10T16:00:22","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T14:00:22","slug":"mapping-your-finance-career-path-where-you-are-today-and-how-to-grow-into-tomorrow-s","status":"publish","type":"resource","link":"https:\/\/www.konnekt.com\/about\/mapping-your-finance-career-path-where-you-are-today-and-how-to-grow-into-tomorrow-s\/","title":{"rendered":"Mapping your finance career path: Where you are today and how to grow into tomorrow\u2019s"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you\u2019re planning your next move, understanding the modern finance and accounting career<\/a> paths matters more than ever. The old step-by-step climb from accounting trainee to manager to CFO has evolved into a wider network of roles and specialisations. Today, these career paths develop through your skills, focus, and the choices you make, not just your title or length of service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This guide explains how to evaluate your finance and accounting career path so you can answer a key question: \u201cAm I on the right track for the role I want next?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where do you fit in today’s finance world?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The finance function has changed dramatically – from a back-office support role to a core driver of business strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are you a scorekeeper or co-pilot?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Accounting and finance once focused on value preservation: keeping the books accurate, managing risk, and producing reports on time. Those duties remain essential, but they now represent the starting point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The emphasis today is on value creation. Modern accounting and finance professionals act as strategic co-pilots, working alongside business leaders to drive growth, shape decisions, and adapt to change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your role still revolves around manual processing or retrospective reporting, you\u2019re operating in the area being quickly automated. To progress, seek opportunities that build your influence in strategy, insight, and decision-making and your ability to clearly communicate financial insights to non-accounting colleagues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The four pillars of a modern finance team<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

KPMG<\/a> highlights a practical model built around four key pillars of how modern finance teams are organised. Identify which pillar you\u2019re currently in to see your role more clearly and plan your next move with intent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pillar name<\/th>Core function<\/th>Key roles<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Central Finance Operations<\/td>The “Run” Pillar<\/td>The operational core, overseeing accounting, reporting, and transactional processes to maintain accuracy, control, and efficiency.<\/td><\/tr>
Finance Solutions<\/td>The “Build” Pillar<\/td>The technology and analytics engine, developing systems, tools, and models that enable smarter, data-driven decisions.<\/td><\/tr>
Finance Business Partners<\/td>The “Engage” Pillar<\/td>The bridge between finance and the wider business, translating data into clear insights and practical recommendations.<\/td><\/tr>
Corporate Finance<\/td>The “Plan” Pillar<\/td>The strategic brain of the organisation, responsible for enterprise-wide strategy, capital planning, and performance management.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The strategic brain of the organisation, responsible for enterprise-wide strategy, capital planning, and performance management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Technical vs commercial skills in your finance career<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Technical skills matter, but senior-level success rests on three core abilities: leadership, influence, and competence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider a skilled data modeller in the \u201cBuild\u201d pillar who can\u2019t clearly communicate insights to the sales team. Without influence, moving into an \u201cEngage\u201d role as a Business Partner becomes difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you can see, the finance career path isn\u2019t only about moving up the hierarchy; it\u2019s about widening your perspective. The more you can operate across pillars and connect technical knowledge with strategic contribution, the faster you\u2019ll progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mapping your finance career path<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The traditional climb up a single career ladder no longer reflects how careers actually grow. Today, progress resembles a career grid, where moving sideways into new or high-growth areas can be the smartest way to move forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Malta, most accounting and finance careers begin through a mix of academic study and hands-on experience. Many candidates pursue ACCA, a University of Malta accountancy programme, or part-time studies while working in entry-level accounting roles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A common starting point is within a Big Four firm or a corporate services provider, where professionals gain strong foundations in audit, tax, advisory, and exposure to different industries. Others enter directly into industry accounting teams, progressing as they build technical skills and complete their qualifications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As experience grows, professionals often transition into in-house roles to broaden their commercial understanding and take on more operational responsibilities. This shift into industry is typically an important step before moving into senior roles such as Finance Manager, Financial Controller, or CFO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Path type<\/th>Example route<\/th>Why it matters<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Traditional Accounting Route<\/td>Sixth Form \u2192 ACCA or UoM \u2192 Audit Firm\/CSP \u2192 In-House Accounting<\/td>Strong technical grounding in reporting, controls & compliance. Broad exposure to industries and regulatory environments.<\/td><\/tr>
Big 4 to Industry Route<\/td>Big Four (Audit\/Tax\/Advisory) \u2192 Industry Finance<\/td>Rigorous training, structured development & multi-sector exposure. Highly valued progression path in Malta.<\/td><\/tr>
Industry First Route<\/td>Entry-Level Accounting Role \u2192 Study ACCA Part-Time \u2192 Progress Internally<\/td>Practical learning from day one; strong commercial understanding from early career. Ideal for those who prefer industry and smaller setups.<\/td><\/tr>
Corporate Services to Regulated Industry Route<\/td>Corporate Services Provider \u2192 iGaming\/Fintech\/Financial Services Finance<\/td>CSP experience builds strong compliance and reporting skills suited for regulated sectors.<\/td><\/tr>
FP&A & Data-Driven Finance Route<\/td>Accounting \/ Reporting \u2192 FP&A \/ Data & Reporting \/ Commercial Finance<\/td>Growing demand for professionals skilled in analysing performance, forecasting, and supporting business decisions.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The 2025 skills gap: What employers value<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To move your career forward, you need to know what employers value most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The big picture: A shortage of skills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The skills gap is the single biggest worry for European business leaders. PwC<\/a> found that the majority of CFOs rate hiring people with the right skills as their top priority. Our advice is to develop in-demand skills and you will become a valuable asset in finance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Skills to strengthen your finance career path<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The most in-demand capabilities fall into two categories: technical expertise and commercial skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Skill category<\/th>In-demand skills<\/th>Why it matters<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Technical Skills<\/td>Digital & AI Literacy<\/td>Generative AI is reshaping finance work. Understanding automation, data tools, and AI will soon be essential for every finance role.<\/td><\/tr>
Technical Skills<\/td>Data Analysis & Visualisation<\/td>Knowing how to use tools like Python, R, Power BI, or Tableau to turn data into insight gives you a clear advantage.<\/td><\/tr>
Technical Skills<\/td>ESG & Sustainability<\/td>With CSRD, expertise in environmental auditing, sustainability reporting, and non-financial assurance is in high demand.<\/td><\/tr>
Commercial & Advisory Skills<\/td>Communication & Influence<\/td>You must be able to tell the story behind the numbers and guide decision-making.<\/td><\/tr>
Commercial & Advisory Skills<\/td>Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving<\/td>As automation takes over routine work, complex problem-solving and sound judgement are becoming the key human differentiators.<\/td><\/tr>
Commercial & Advisory Skills<\/td>Business Acumen & Partnering<\/td>Employers want finance professionals who understand how the business operates and can help teams make smarter commercial decisions.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Focus on Malta: What’s in demand locally<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

These European trends are visible across Malta too, with employers seeking professionals who combine strong fundamentals with modern skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n