Graham Ward, senior partner, KPMG
The key to moving up to senior level [financial consulting] roles lies in demonstrating knowledge and flair in client relations. In any big public practice, you really need to be able to develop good relationships with clients and partners, as these relationships bring business into the firm. I demonstrated my abilities in that area by bringing a big proposal into the firm from a client, which we eventually won. The key difference between mid and senior levels is that, at senior level, you represent the firm and help raise its profile. For me, that has involved writing articles and co-authoring books and joining committees and boards. Last year I was president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

Andy Minas, our own FD at Workthing
Getting a wider view of the business was definitely the key in developing the skills to take on a senior position. I reached managerial level at PricewaterhouseCoopers, where I'd qualified, and then moved to Unigate, where I was a group accountant. I started out in a general, central role and then moved out to an operating area, going from accounting to a more commercial role. From there, my next move was to French Connection, where I became financial controller, after which I made the move to FD at Coffee Republic, before joining Workthing as FD.

Marcus Hill, FD, the Kensington House Group, a marketing services company
The key to my promotion was the fact that I proved my business overview skills as part of a team conducting a strategic change programme for the company. The FD invited me to participate, and I used it as an opportunity to prove my abilities. The key difference in the mentality you need for senior as opposed to mid level roles, is that you need to keep hold of the big picture and not get too sucked into the nitty-gritty details.

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