ksix

n/a

Considering Switching Careers from Accounting to Tech Sales

Hi everyone!

I am 28 currently working as an Assistant Controller for a Canadian tech company. I've been in finance/accounting for 6 + years with 3 years in a SaaS company. Recently I've been considering making a career change to tech sales and looking at SDR/BDR roles to start off.

Has anyone here made a similar transition? If so, can you share any advice or tips on how to make the switch?

What skills should I focus on developing?
What are some common challenges I can expect to face?
What are some things that I should keep in mind as I look for opportunities in tech sales?
What salary range would I be looking at to start at a tech company?
Should I be looking for both U.S and Canada roles?

I would also appreciate any other advice on how to sell myself as a candidate with an accounting background to tech sales employers.

Thank you in advance for your help and support!

🎈 Mentorship

☁️ Software Tech

11

15 comments

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Pachacuti

Politicker

4

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

With your experience and education you have a better shot at making it to the top of a SaaS company simply staying the course, assuming you like Accounting.

In your current career path you can become CFO of a tech start up and eventually CEO - wouldn’t be the first time I have seen that.

Sales may seem higher pay and more fun but in 10 years you could be running things if you stay the course or be trying to make quota, again, as a sales rep.

braintank

Politicker

2

Enterprise Account Executive

Good point!

transGLUKator

Politicker

0

Sales Pal

+

braintank

Politicker

2

Enterprise Account Executive

Do you have any sales experience? Curious what's motivating such a major change.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

2

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Yes, this is my primary question.
My second question is - you're working for a software company already. Have you considered going into a role there? I work for a company that encourages internal movement, even within departments and into very different roles. Is that a possibility?

CuriousFox

WR Officer

2

🦊

Where are my crazy Canadian fam members @LordOfWar@sketchysales @jefe

LordOfWar

Tycoon

2

Blow it up

No Canadians here, I am stateless....*pumps shotgun and looks to the sky for Bravado drones*

sketchysales

Politicker

2

Sales Manager

I was buried under a drift. Damn its cold out west this week.
My only advice for the OP is, if you are currently not in sales and are considering starting in sales, come in with zero expectations, be ready to start at the bottom with little and give it a shot. Its not for everyone and youll figure that out quickly. If you overcomplicate sales from the start and come in with big expectations and requests when you have no experience thats going to suck.
Lastly, the first 2-3 years of sales are the toughest, get past that and you will be fine and on the way to the top 10%.

Justatitle

Big Shot

2

Account Executive

My first question is, why do you want to go from a rather steady role in accounting to the wild life of sales? this is not rhetorical it is a genuine ask.

TennisandSales

Politicker

1

Head Of Sales

Have you used the search bar for your answer? Lots of ppl have tried to switch from a non sales career into tech sales.

antiASKHOLE

Tycoon

1

Bravado's Resident Asshole

What makes you want to transition?

tweener

Executive

1

Sr. Account Executive

I did this switch. never looked back. accounting SUCSK!!!!!!!!!!

Maximas

Tycoon

0

Senior Sales Executive

Try the search bar, it would help you to get some answers for ppl with similar situations they've been through.

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

0

Sales Rep

Highly recommend transitioning to tech sales, it’s in the acadmey

GDO

Politicker

0

BDM

Are you sure you want this?

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