New to accounting? Your strongest career asset might surprise you. Beyond certifications and technical expertise, networking in accounting consistently proves to be the difference between a good career and an exceptional one.
Current trends underscore the importance of both in-person and digital networking for accountants. The rise of online networking platforms, particularly LinkedIn, has transformed how accountants connect with peers, clients, and industry leaders.
Think of networking as your career's compound interest. Every meaningful connection you make has the potential to multiply into new insights and opportunities. Let's explore how you can create and grow your network, from making those first connections to nurturing long-term relationships.
How to Build Your Network in Accounting
Start with your peers: creating your first professional connections
Your first step into networking as a new accounting professional should focus on people who understand your current experience best—your peers and fellow recent graduates.
Here's how you can start building these valuable connections:
Connect through college alumni networks—Many accounting firms actively recruit through university alumni networks. Regular alumni events, both online and in-person, give you chances to reconnect with former classmates and also with graduates from other class years.
Join professional online communities—LinkedIn groups provide excellent opportunities for networking. Forums like "Accountants of the Future" and "Accounting | Finance | Professionals" create spaces where you can join industry discussions, share knowledge and spot job opportunities.
Get involved with professional groups—Organizations like the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) offer specialized networks for new professionals. These groups understand the unique needs of early-career accountants and provide targeted resources, mentorships and leadership development programs.
Looking to turn conversations into career opportunities? Get tips on what to do—and what to avoid—when networking for a job.
Learn from professionals who’ve recently walked your path
Professionals with two to five years of experience offer uniquely valuable insights for your networking strategy. They've recently faced—and often overcome—the same challenges you're experiencing now.
Making these connections starts with personalized outreach on LinkedIn. Skip the default connection message and write a personal note showing genuine interest in the career path of those you’re targeting. Reference specific details from their profile, such as their certification journey or career progression. You might ask about their experience with the CPA exam or how they chose their specialization.
Check out your local accounting chapters—they're perfect for meeting professionals in a relaxed setting. Unlike big conferences, these smaller gatherings make it easy to strike up conversations and build real connections. Plus, you'll meet people who understand your local market and can share insights about firms and opportunities in your area that could potentially provide the next step in your career.
When you connect with these professionals, ask targeted questions about:
Which certifications provided the most value early in their career
How they made decisions about specializing in specific areas of accounting
Skills that proved most valuable for early promotions
Challenges they wish they'd prepared for better
Resources they found most helpful during their first years
Build relationships with recruiters
It’s well known that staffing firms can be a huge help when you’re job seeking. Specialized accounting recruiters maintain extensive networks of their own and often know about job openings that never appear on public job boards. But these professionals can also be a very good resource even beyond job placement. They offer valuable insights into salary trends, in-demand skills and market developments that can shape your career decisions.
With their wealth of experience, they can offer guidance on career progression, professional development, skills that are currently in high demand and strategies to enhance your marketability. This information can help you stay competitive and make informed career decisions.
Here's how to build effective relationships with recruiters:
Create a strong LinkedIn profile that stands out—Include your educational background, relevant experience and clear career goals. Use industry-specific keywords throughout your profile to boost visibility in recruiter searches.
Maintain consistent communication—Stay in touch, even when you're not job hunting. Share professional development updates and respond promptly to messages. This ongoing contact keeps you top of mind for new opportunities. Be transparent about your current job status and intentions to ensure clear expectations.
Also learn from seasoned professionals
Professionals with five or more years of experience can bring deep practical wisdom to your networking efforts, offering perspectives that only come from years in the profession. So don’t be afraid to reach out these individuals as well.
Many accounting networking events create natural opportunities for conversations with senior practitioners during breaks, Q&A sessions and social gatherings. You don't need to be the most outgoing person in the room—just come prepared with a few thoughtful questions about their work and experiences.
AICPA and state-level CPA societies offer another excellent way to connect with industry veterans. Try joining a committee or working group within these organizations. You'll work alongside seasoned professionals while showing your commitment to the field. Many senior accountants enjoy sharing their knowledge with newcomers who show genuine interest and initiative.
Need help starting the conversation? Check out these icebreaker ideas to confidently introduce yourself at your next networking event.
Nurture and maintain your network
Building your accounting networking connections is just the beginning. The real value emerges from maintaining these relationships over time. Cultivating an active online presence allows you to share insights, participate in discussions and establish thought leadership within the accounting community. Here’s how to do it:
Follow up promptly after meetings—Send a personalized message within 24-48 hours of meeting someone new in the accounting field. Reference specific points from your conversation to show you were engaged and interested. A simple note like "I enjoyed hearing about your experience with accounting-related AI" can start a lasting professional connection.
Share valuable content—When you come across industry news or insights relevant to someone in your network, pass it along with a personal note. Did you read an article about changes in tax legislation? Share it with the tax specialists in your network. Reaching out like this shows you're thinking of their interests and keeps you connected naturally.
Offer help when you can— Professional relationships work both ways. Maybe you've discovered an effective way to use AI tools for financial analysis, or you've found a great resource for CPA exam prep. As you advance in your career, step up to help others tackle challenges you've already faced—it builds trust and creates stronger professional bonds.
Stay in regular contact—You don't need elaborate reasons to keep in touch. A quick message to check in about a project they’ve mentioned or to congratulate them on a work anniversary can maintain the connection.
Your goal isn't to contact everyone in your network every month. Instead, focus on creating genuine connections with people whose work interests align with yours. Quality always beats quantity in networking in accounting.
Invest in your network today
In accounting, referrals and word-of-mouth often lead most readily to the next steps in your career journey. In a relationship-driven industry, even small but consistent efforts can provide you with a trusted circle of colleagues to turn to now and in the years to come.
