You could do a degree in any subject then apply for a place on a graduate training scheme to work towards a professional accountancy qualification.

If you want to take a more focused route onto a graduate scheme, you could study for an accountancy related degree, like:

• accountancy
• accounting and finance
• business and management
• maths

Some degree courses may give you exemptions from certain professional accountancy training modules.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths

You could take your first steps towards a career as a management accountant by applying for place on an apprenticeship, such as:

• Professional Accountancy or Taxation Technician Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
• Accountancy and Taxation Professional Level 7 Apprenticeship

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

To become a qualified management accountant, you could train with a professional body, for example:

• Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
• Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA)
• Institute of Financial Accountants (IFA)

They all have different entry requirements and ways to qualify, so it's important to check with them which is the right route for you. If you already have relevant accounting or business-related qualifications, you may be able to qualify in a shorter time.

You'll need:

• knowledge of economics and accounting
• maths knowledge
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• administration skills
• analytical thinking skills
• the ability to work well with others
• ambition and a desire to succeed
• excellent verbal communication skills
• to have a thorough understanding of computer systems and applications

As a management accountant, you could:

• prepare financial statements and accounts
• monitor spending and budgets
• analyse the company's financial performance
• make business decisions
• audit departments in your company
• forecast and plan future spending and ways to reduce costs

You could work at a client's business or in an office.