How to get your first job as an accountant? – A guide for graduates
28 August 2025Many aspiring candidates wonder how to begin a career in accounting – especially when they come across METRO GSC job offers. After all, this is a place where numbers not only have to add up, but also have a real impact on the everyday decisions of one of the largest wholesale networks in the world. If you want to learn how to enter this world, this guide is just for you.
Step by step, we’ll walk you through the entire journey – from choosing the right degree, through the recruitment process, to your first days at METRO GSC. We’ll show you that accounting is not just a future-proof profession, but also an exciting career adventure.
How to start a career in accounting? Education and qualifications for a junior accountant role
Before you dive into Excel and get comfortable with balance sheets, you’ll need a solid foundation – preferably in the form of a relevant education. METRO GSC looks for future Junior Accountants among graduates of economic technical schools and students of programs like finance, accounting, or economics.
An internship or placement in a finance department is a great plus – it shows you’ve already taken your first steps in the world of accounting. A good command of English (minimum level B1) is also necessary, as your reports may be sent directly to our headquarters in Germany. Sounds serious? Maybe – but it’s full of growth opportunities!
How to get an accounting job without experience? Degree programs
If you’re just starting your academic journey – choose wisely. Economics, finance, and accounting are the classic routes, but postgraduate studies in controlling or auditing are also highly valued.
We also appreciate part-time students who aren’t afraid to combine theory with practice – whether it’s in a small company or working with Excel at home. The ability to work under pressure and apply knowledge to real-life cases is a big plus for us.
How to start a career in accounting? Certificates
Don’t worry – you don’t need to have ACCA or be a certified accountant listed on your CV right away. At the start, motivation, basic knowledge, and willingness to learn are more than enough. We treat certifications as a way to grow – not a requirement to join the team.
Once you get familiar with our processes and systems – like SAP or Oracle – the time may come to pursue a SKwP course or think about the ACCA path. But one step at a time.
How to get your first job in accounting? Extra courses That improve your chances
What really makes a difference is knowing the tools we use every day. If you can handle pivot tables or build a macro in Excel – you’re on the right track. Familiarity with Power Query or even basic knowledge of Oracle or SAP is also a huge advantage from the very beginning.
You don’t need to know everything – you just need to show that you're eager to learn. And if you’ve already completed an accounting basics course or an MS Office training – your CV will definitely stand out.
How to start working in accounting without experience? Recruitment stages
Recruitment at METRO GSC is no mystery. First, we screen CVs – looking for relevant education, English proficiency, and ideally, a bit of hands-on practice.
If you pass this stage, you’ll have an interview with a recruiter. It lasts about 45 minutes and covers topics such as your projects, motivation, and approach to hybrid work (yes – we offer this model, but it’s not 100% remote). Response? Within two weeks, along with constructive feedback – because even if there’s no match right away, we still want to help you grow.
How to get your first job as an accountant?
Even if we’re not currently running internship programs, many of our Junior Accountants start without any prior experience — they learn from the team and go through a step-by-step onboarding process. All you need is English at a B1 level.
At the beginning, you’ll be supporting more experienced colleagues – entering data, verifying invoices, getting to know the monthly closing cycle. Sounds like an internship? Maybe – but better, because it’s paid and comes with a real development path.
How to start a career in accounting? Introductory training
At METRO GSC, we take onboarding seriously. It’s more than just showing you where the coffee machine is or how to open Outlook. It’s a complete training program that introduces you step by step into the financial world of METRO.
You’ll get a mentor, access to learning platforms, webinars, and training sessions on financial systems, IFRS standards, and process automation. From day one, you’ll feel guided – you’re not alone in the jungle of reports.
Starting your career in accounting at METRO GSC is a great idea if you’re looking for a job with long-term growth, strong support, and a clear learning path. Start with us – and discover how quickly numbers can change your professional future.
Check out our offers and apply today – your first steps might be easier than you think!
