Can a Financial Advisor Background Lead to a Career in Accounting? Here’s How

If you're a financial advisor considering a switch to accounting, you're not starting from scratch. Here's how to leverage your skills, close the gaps, and transition into an accounting career in Malaysia.

By Matt Khoo on 2025-04-09 at 3:58 AM

Updated on 2025-04-09 at 4:00 AM

Switching careers might sound intimidating, especially when it involves technical fields like accounting.

But if you’re currently working as a financial advisor, you might be surprised to learn just how transferable your skills are.

In fact, many of the core competencies required to thrive as a financial advisor—such as financial literacy, communication, and analytical thinking—can give you a head start in accounting. With the right certifications and a little planning, transitioning into an accounting career in Malaysia is more doable than you think.

What’s the Difference Between Financial Advising and Accounting?

Before diving into how to make the switch, it’s important to understand the fundamental difference between these two careers.

  • Financial Advisors focus on helping individuals or businesses make smart decisions with their money. This includes investment planning, insurance, retirement funds, and financial goals.
  • Accountants, on the other hand, manage, analyse, and report on financial data to ensure businesses are financially healthy and compliant with laws and regulations.

While the end goals are different, the foundation—financial knowledge—is shared.

Transferable Skills You Already Have

As a financial advisor, you're likely equipped with a range of soft and technical skills that are incredibly valuable in accounting:

  • Strong financial analysis abilities
  • Understanding of regulatory frameworks
  • Client communication and relationship management
  • Problem-solving and strategic thinking
  • Familiarity with financial software tools

These competencies are a solid foundation for entry-level accounting positions like Accounts Executive or General Accounting Analyst. Learn more in our guide on Understanding Accounts and Ledgers.

What You’ll Need to Transition into Accounting

While your background helps, there are a few steps to bridge the gap:

1. Pursue Relevant Certifications

Certifications such as ACCA, CPA, or CIMA are widely recognised and often required for accounting roles in Malaysia. Many of these can be studied part-time or online.

2. Gain Practical Experience

You may want to take up a short internship, contract job, or freelance bookkeeping work to get hands-on experience. This helps build your portfolio and gives you real-world credibility.

3. Build Your Accounting Knowledge

Familiarise yourself with accounting principles, financial reporting, and standards like MFRS/IFRS. Platforms like LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, and ACCA-X are great starting points.

Want to learn more about the role? Read What Does a General Accounting Analyst Do?

Career Paths to Explore After Transitioning

Once you've made the switch, there are several career directions available, depending on your interest and background:

If you're interested in business strategy and long-term planning, Corporate Finance vs Investment Analysis might also be a route to explore.

A background in financial advising gives you a strong foundation to pivot into accounting—especially if you're looking for a role that involves deeper analysis, reporting, and business insight. With upskilling and the right mindset, you could soon find yourself thriving in an entirely new finance discipline. Looking to take the leap? Start exploring  jobs on Hiredly, take the Work Personality Test to find your best fit, and join our Young Talent Community to stay inspired by others making bold career moves.

By Matt Khoo on 2025-04-09 at 3:58 AM