Introduction
Taking a career break is common. You may have taken time off to raise children, care for family, focus on your health, or simply take a break from work. Whatever the reason, a career break does not mean your accounting career has to stop.
Getting back into work may take some effort, but with the right steps, you can rebuild your confidence and find a suitable accounting job.
Why a Career Break Does Not Mean the End of Your Career
Many people worry that a gap in their resume will make it hard to get a job. But a career gap does not tell the full story.
For accounting jobs, employers also look at your skills and what you can do today. If you understand accounting, know the required rules, and can work with common accounting software, you still have useful skills.
The important thing is to show employers that you are ready to work again and that your skills are up to date.
Step 1: Update Your Accounting Skills
Accounting tools, tax rules, and reporting methods can change while you are away from work. Before applying for jobs, spend some time checking what has changed.
Learn Current Accounting Software
If you have not used accounting software for a while, refresh your knowledge. You can learn tools such as:
- QuickBooks Online
- Xero
- Zoho Books
- Tally
- Other cloud accounting tools used by employers
You do not need to learn everything at once. Start with the software commonly used for the jobs you want.
Refresh Tax and Accounting Rules
Tax rules, GST and VAT requirements, and accounting standards can change over time. Read about the latest updates and understand the basic changes that affect your work.
Improve Your Excel Skills
Excel is still an important skill for many accounting jobs. If you have forgotten things like Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP, XLOOKUP, or basic data reports, spend some time practising them.
You can also learn basic Power BI if you want to improve your reporting and data skills.
A short online course can be enough to refresh your knowledge. You do not always need another degree to get started again.
Step 2: Update Your Qualification and Certification
If you already have a qualification such as CA, CPA, ACCA, or CMA, check whether your membership, license, or required learning credits are still up to date.
If you started a certification but did not finish it, you can also consider completing it during your career break or before returning to work.
Adding a recent course or certification to your resume can show employers that you have been working on your skills.
Step 3: Update Your Resume
Your resume should show what you can do, not only the dates you worked.
Start with a short summary that explains your experience, current skills, and interest in returning to accounting.
You do not need to hide your career gap. Be honest and keep the explanation simple.
For example Returning to accounting after a family career break, with recently updated skills in Xero and financial reporting.
Also include anything useful you did during your break.
This could include:
- Freelance bookkeeping
- Volunteer accounting work
- Helping with a small business
- Managing financial records
- Online courses
- Accounting projects
Your previous achievements are also important. Instead of only listing your job duties, show what you achieved.
For example, saying “Reduced month-end closing time by 20%” gives employers a better idea of your work than simply saying “Handled month-end closing.”
Step 4: Start Building Your Network Again
Your old professional contacts can be very helpful when you are looking for work again.
Start by updating your LinkedIn profile. Add your recent courses, skills, and experience. You can also let people know that you are open to accounting opportunities.
Contact former colleagues, managers, and clients. You do not need to ask for a job immediately. A simple message saying that you are returning to accounting and would like to reconnect can be enough.
You can also join accounting groups, professional communities, and online events. These can help you meet people and learn about new job openings.
Step 5: Look for Returnship and Contract Jobs
Some companies offer returnship programs for professionals who are coming back to work after a career break.
These programs can give you recent work experience and help you become comfortable in a professional environment again.
You can also consider temporary or contract accounting jobs. Roles in bookkeeping, accounts payable, accounts receivable, or other accounting areas can help you gain recent experience.
In some cases, a temporary role can later become a permanent position.
Step 6: Be Ready to Explain Your Career Gap
Interviewers may ask why you took a break. You do not need to give a long explanation.
Keep your answer simple and then talk about what you are doing now.
A good answer can follow three simple points:
- Explain the reason for your career break.
- Mention how you kept your skills updated.
- Explain why you are ready to return to work.
For example:
“I took two years away from work to care for a family member. During that time, I completed a QuickBooks course and also helped with bookkeeping for a local nonprofit. I am now ready to return to a full-time accounting role and continue building my experience.”
The goal is to show that your break is in the past and that you are ready for your next step.
Step 7: Apply for Roles That Match Your Current Skills
You do not have to start from the same position you left.
Look at your current skills and choose roles that match them. Depending on your experience, you could consider positions such as:
- Bookkeeper
- Staff Accountant
- Accounts Payable Executive
- Accounts Receivable Executive
- Junior Accountant
- Part-time Accountant
Starting with a suitable role can help you rebuild recent experience and confidence. You can then work towards more senior positions as your experience grows.
Final Thoughts
Getting back to an accounting job after a career break can take some time, but it is not impossible. Update your skills, strengthen your resume, and start applying for jobs that match your experience.
You can also use an Accounting and Finance Job Portal to find relevant jobs in accounting, finance, audit, taxation, and other related fields.
A career break does not erase your past experience. Keep learning, keep applying, and take one step at a time. Your next accounting job could be closer than you think.
