Gaining accounting experience when you’re just starting your career can be challenging. Some employers hesitate to hire candidates without relevant experience. But the good news is, there are practical, proven ways to build that experience—even if your resume is still light. Whether you’re a recent graduate, switching careers, or just trying to get your foot in the door, this guide will walk you through smart, actionable steps to gain real-world accounting skills. From volunteering and internships to entry-level roles and staffing agencies, you’ll discover multiple paths to grow your expertise and boost your confidence. The best part? Many of these opportunities can lead to long-term roles and valuable professional connections.
Volunteering for an accounting role with a nonprofit organization, securing an accounting internship, and applying for entry-level accounting roles can all help you gain relevant experience. These opportunities let you apply your knowledge in real-world settings, build confidence, and start developing a professional track record. You’ll also gain insight into the day-to-day responsibilities of accounting roles, which can guide your career path. .
Volunteering
Consider volunteering to help a nonprofit organization with bookkeeping, tax preparation, or financial reporting. You can apply your accounting knowledge, learn from mentors, and impact your community.
Secure an Accounting Internship
An accounting internship can help you gain experience and secure a full-time job:
- Connecting with other professionals on shared goals and interests supports mentorship and professional references for career growth.
- Working with financial statements and audits lets you apply complex accounting principles to real-world scenarios.
- Developing your soft skills, such as communicating accounting topics to non-accounting people and managing multiple deadlines, increases your employability.
- Understanding the company’s culture, systems, and expectations helps secure a permanent role.
Apply for Entry-Level Accounting Roles
The following accounting roles typically do not require extensive work experience:
- Tax preparer: Analyze, calculate, and file individual income tax returns
- Accounting data entry clerk: Process account documents, record financial transactions, file accounting paperwork, and maintain databases
- Accounts receivable clerk: Prepare, verify, and record customer payments and transactions relevant to accounts receivable
- Accounting assistant: Answer phone calls, send invoices, resolve accounting discrepancies, and file and maintain records
- Bookkeeper: Manage financial transactions, track client accounts, create reports and financial statements, and maintain record-keeping
Work with a Staffing Agency
An accounting staffing agency can match you with temporary jobs aligned with your goals, skills, and interests:
- You can meet hiring managers and potentially secure roles with companies you might not access on your own.
- Securing a temporary accounting job lets you develop relevant skills to support your next job search.
- Networking with colleagues, coworkers, managers, human resources professionals, and company executives can lead to additional job opportunities.
- A temporary accounting job could turn into a full-time role.
Let HireCall Help You Launch Your Accounting Career
Finding the right opportunity when you’re just starting out can be tough, but you don’t have to do it alone. HireCall connects early-career professionals with accounting roles that match their skills, interests, and long-term goals. Whether you’re looking for temporary experience, a foot in the door, or a path to a full-time position, we can help you get there faster. Let’s find the right fit to kickstart your accounting journey.
