Why National Apprenticeship Week is the ideal time to consider a career in accountancy

It’s National Apprenticeship Week and therefore a great time to be considering career options – especially if you don’t want to pursue traditional routes. In a world where career paths can feel uncertain and the cost of education is under intense scrutiny, accountancy stands out for all the right reasons.

A career built on choice

One of the most attractive aspects of accountancy is that there isn’t just one “correct” way in.

Yes, university remains a strong option. A degree can provide theoretical grounding, independence, and time to explore interests. Many graduates thrive in accountancy roles and progress quickly through professional qualifications.

But equally, you do not need a degree to build a successful career in accountancy. Apprenticeships, school-leaver programmes and direct-entry roles allow individuals to earn while they learn, gain real-world experience early, and progress through recognised professional qualifications.

By the way, we have loads of these kind of opportunities at Monahans, so if you want to know more about our school and college leaver programmes, get in touch.

Raising the bar for apprenticeships

Initiatives such as National Apprenticeship Week play a vital role in raising awareness of these opportunities and challenging outdated perceptions about what a “successful” career path looks like.

Businesses value competence, curiosity, and commitment far more than a single educational route.

Few careers offer the level of long-term stability that accountancy does. Every organisation, regardless of size or sector, needs financial expertise. While roles evolve with technology, the core demand for accountants remains constant.

This isn’t a career that disappears with economic shifts. In fact, during periods of uncertainty, accountants often become even more critical to business decision-making. For many candidates, especially early in their careers, that sense of security is a major draw - and rightly so.

Skills that stay with you

Accountants don’t just work with numbers. They build commercial awareness, analytical thinking, problem-solving ability, attention to detail, and professional judgement. These skills are valuable across departments, industries,and even countries.

It’s no surprise that many accountants go on to become finance directors, business leaders, consultants, or entrepreneurs.

Whether someone chooses university or not, accountancy offers something increasingly rare in modern careers: choice, stability, progression and opportunity.

And there’s some great benefits for employers too!

For businesses struggling with attracting, finding and keeping really good employees really should consider offering apprenticeships. Especially in an age of AI and ever-changing technology, which can mean finding the skills to match the job search can be an insurmountable climb.

From an employer’s perspective, these routes often produce highly capable, commercially aware professionals with strong practical skills – and they can grow with you!

Find out more about the opportunities we have available at Monahans.

Zoe Alder