Recently, I met an accountant (let's call him Sky)
Smart guy. Certified. Always the go-to person for anything tax or audit at his firm. But there was one problem - outside his office, no one knew he existed.
He once told me, “LinkedIn? Oh, I just check it when I need to apply for jobs.”
Two years later - that same "Sky-guy" gets invited to speak at a business summit (one of Africa's largest), lands three consulting clients, and gets headhunted for a remote finance role.
All from LinkedIn.
So, what changed?
Let’s talk about it. Because what Sky learned and what every accountant should know can change the way you see your career.
1. LinkedIn Is Your Digital Office
The first thing he realized was that LinkedIn was no longer a job board but a digital office.
Imagine your ideal client or future boss walking into your “office” (your profile). What would they see?
A plain headline that says Accountant at XYZ? Or a story that says “I help small businesses stay compliant and make sense of their numbers”?
Your profile is the first handshake. The first impression. The silent introduction that works 24/7, even when you’re asleep.
Sky changed his headline, updated his photo, and rewrote his About section to sound more like a real human than a résumé. He wrote:
“I help SMEs simplify their accounting processes so they can focus on growth.”
That one simple sentence got him noticed.
2. Your Profile Speaks Before You Do
When people search “Accountant” on LinkedIn, they see hundreds of names. So why should someone click yours?
Sky made sure his page told a story. He added:
- A clear summary of what he does and who he helps.
- Certifications (ICAG, ICAN, ACCA, etc).
- Skills like YAPBooks, QuickBooks, Excel, and IFRS compliance.
- A clean, professional photo - no blurry background, no graduation robe.
Within a week, he got messages from people asking, “Can you help me set up my books?”
That’s the thing - on LinkedIn, your profile markets you even when you’re not posting.
3. Start Posting, Even If It Feels Awkward
The second thing he did was start posting. At first, it felt weird. “What do I even post? I’m not a creator,” he said. But I told him: just start by sharing what you already know.
So, he wrote about how most small business owners ignore tax deadlines, shared Excel tips, and explained in plain English what “withholding tax” means.
Guess what? People loved it. They commented, shared, even tagged friends who needed help. That’s when it clicked for him:
You don’t need to be popular - you just need to be helpful.
4. Network Like a Human, Not a Salesperson
Next, Sky stopped treating LinkedIn like a distant platform and started treating it like a conversation.
He began connecting with:
- Fellow accountants
- Startup founders
- HR managers
- Business owners
But he didn’t just add them and disappear. He engaged. He commented on their posts. Congratulated them on achievements. Sent short, polite DMs. Slowly, people began to recognize his name.
That’s how a simple comment on a CEO’s post led to a consulting gig.
5. Opportunities Don’t Knock - They DM You
A few months later, something interesting happened. One of Sky’s posts about small business accounting caught the attention of a recruiter for a UK-based company.
They reached out via DM. Three weeks later, he signed a contract for a remote accounting role - his first international job offer.
LinkedIn had turned into his silent career accelerator.
6. Common Mistakes Accountants Still Make
Unfortunately, many accountants are still where Chinedu started. Here are the biggest mistakes I see all the time:
🚫 Treating LinkedIn like Facebook - random memes, no professionalism.
🚫 Having no banner or ‘About’ section - an empty office.
🚫 Posting only when job-hunting.
🚫 Ignoring comments and DMs - missing relationships in plain sight.
Remember: people trust people, not titles.
7. A Simple 3-Step LinkedIn Routine
If you’re thinking, “I don’t have time for LinkedIn,” here’s what Sky does now - and you can copy it:
✅ Once a week: Post something useful or reflective (a finance insight, career story, or client win).
✅ 3 times a week: Comment meaningfully on others’ posts - even one sentence helps.
✅ Once a month: Update your profile - add achievements, tools, or certifications.
That’s it. 30 minutes a week. But it keeps your career visible and your expertise top of mind.
8. From Me to You
Sky’s story isn’t unique. There are hundreds of accountants who’ve quietly built their visibility, landed clients, and shaped new careers - all from showing up on LinkedIn. I am one of them.
LinkedIn isn’t about bragging. It’s about trust. When people trust you, they hire you. They recommend you. They listen when you speak.
So, if you’re an accountant reading this, take this as your sign: Update your profile. Start posting. Engage genuinely.
Your next client, career move, or collaboration might already be waiting in your LinkedIn feed - you just haven’t shown up yet.
My name is Queen Ikechukwu. Click here to connect with me on LinkedIn and see what I have done with my profile.
