Why This Matters 

Finance is more than numbers, it’s a career of influence, powering every decision a business makes.

The Commerce Career Pathway 

Path: Bookkeeper → Financial Administrator → Accountant → Financial Manager → Chief Financial Officer (CFO) 

Bookkeeper 
Keep businesses alive with accurate records. 
You’ll do: capturing transactions, bank recons, supplier/customer ledgers, VAT returns. 
You’ll need: accuracy, basic accounting, good software skills. 
Next step: Financial Administrator. 

Financial Manager 
Lead teams, controls, and performance. 
You’ll do: lead month-end, oversee controls, manage audits, guide working capital, support strategy. 
You’ll need: team leadership, risk and governance, forecasting. 
Next step: CFO. 

Financial Administrator 
The reliable middle of the finance team. 
You’ll do: payroll coordination, month-end packs, reconciliations, creditor/debtor control. 
You’ll need: working knowledge of IFRS for SMEs, VAT/PAYE rules, process discipline. 
Next step: Accountant. 

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) 
Shape strategy, risk, and survival. 
You’ll do: capital planning, board reporting, funding, growth strategy, risk and resilience. 
You’ll need: strategic finance, stakeholder management, regulation & ethics. 

Accountant 
Turn financial data into business decisions. 
You’ll do: trial balance to management accounts, cash flow, budgets and variance analysis. 
You’ll need: reporting skills, Excel modelling, business understanding. 
Next step: Financial Manager. 

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