So, you’re ready for more. You’ve mastered your current responsibilities, you’re delivering reliably, and you’re itching to grow. But how do you ask for more responsibility at work—without coming off as pushy, entitled or overstepping your place?
For finance professionals in their early careers, especially in high-performance environments like investment banking, accounting, or commercial finance, this can feel like walking a tightrope. You want to show initiative, but you also don’t want to challenge the hierarchy or look like you think you’re ready for something you’re not.
Here’s how to navigate that balance—and position yourself for growth in a way that’s smart, professional, and well-received.
Start With Self-Awareness
Before you put your hand up for more, take stock of how you’re performing in your current role. Have you nailed the core expectations of your job? Are you trusted by your manager and peers? Are you delivering on time, under pressure, and without needing constant hand-holding?
Promotions and new responsibilities in finance don’t just go to the most ambitious people—they go to the most dependable. According to Hays Australia, employers are most likely to reward employees who demonstrate ownership and strong communication skills, alongside technical capability.
Be honest with yourself: have you proven that you’re not only capable of handling your current workload, but also that you’re ready to stretch further?
Know What You’re Asking For
The worst thing you can do is walk into a conversation with vague ideas like “I just want more responsibility.” Be specific.
Are you looking to lead part of a project? Shadow a senior analyst? Take ownership of a monthly report? Or perhaps be trusted with client-facing work?
By tying your request to a tangible area of the business, you’re not just asking for more—you’re showing you’ve already thought about where you can add value. For example:
“I’ve been handling the month-end reporting consistently over the last six months, and I’d love the opportunity to own the commentary on variances as well—would that be something I could take on next quarter?”
This isn’t just a request. It’s a signal that you’re thinking ahead, paying attention, and growing into a more strategic role.
Time It Right
In most finance teams, timing is everything. Asking for more responsibility during audit crunch time or just before budgets are due might make you seem unaware of the business’s rhythm.
Instead, look for windows when your manager is focused on performance development, new projects are being scoped, or during regular 1:1s. If your company runs mid-year or end-of-financial-year reviews (as many Australian firms do), those are ideal times to bring it up.
And if you’ve just completed a big piece of work or hit a milestone, that’s a great moment to ask: use the momentum from a recent win to show you’re ready for more.
Make It About Contribution, Not Ambition
Yes, your ambition matters. But the key to not overstepping is framing your ask around impact, not ego.
Instead of:
“I think I’m ready to take on more senior work.”
Try:
“I’ve been thinking about how I can contribute more to the team. I noticed we’ve got a few reporting deadlines coming up, and I’d love to take ownership of one and help lighten the load where I can.”
This shows you’re team-oriented, observant, and focused on making a contribution—not just climbing the ladder.
Build a Track Record Before You Ask
One way to avoid overstepping is by doing the work before you ask for it. Offer to help with a new task, contribute to a team outside your immediate scope, or shadow someone in a role you’re aspiring toward.
You don’t need formal permission to start stepping up in small ways.
In fact, many promotions and role expansions come after someone starts acting like they’re in that role already. Managers are more likely to hand over responsibility to someone who’s already proving they can handle it.
If your employer sees you proactively tackling new challenges—even informally—they’re more likely to back you when you ask for more.
Ask for Feedback Before You Ask for More
Not sure if you’re ready to level up? Ask for feedback.
Try this:
“I’d love your thoughts on how I’ve been tracking lately. I’ve been trying to build my capability in client analysis—do you think I’m ready to take more ownership in that area?”
This gives your manager a chance to reflect, offer support, and potentially open the door themselves. Sometimes just expressing your interest can kick off the right conversations, without needing a formal request.
Don’t Take It Personally If the Answer Is ‘Not Yet’
Sometimes, the team simply isn’t resourced to offer more opportunities. Other times, your manager might genuinely think you need more experience first. That’s OK.
If you get a “not right now,” respond with curiosity and maturity. Ask what you need to work on to be ready, and request a time to revisit the conversation in a few months.
That shows resilience—and professionalism—which often makes an even bigger impression than the ask itself.
Final Thoughts: It’s a Long Game
Asking for more responsibility is one of the best things you can do early in your finance career—when done right. You’re showing that you’re not just here to clock in and out, but to grow, learn, and contribute meaningfully.
By being specific, team-focused, and self-aware, you’ll be seen not as overstepping, but as stepping up.
And that’s the kind of mindset every great finance leader starts with.