As we move towards the end of the financial year, quite a number of firms are gearing up for annual performance reviews, pay rises and promotions. Now is the most important time of year for any finance professional. You need to make sure you have gathered all your feedback from peers, you have crossed off all the items on your development plan, and you have a clean set of high-performing numbers to show your superiors.

How can you make the most of this annual opportunity to focus on your performance and career? What should you do before meeting your manager? The most important thing is to be prepared.

Projects? Pitches? Proposals? List them all

Be prepared to demonstrate how you added value during the year. Have a list of all the projects, proposals and pitches you have worked on and what your role was on each. Point out one by one how you specifically added value and contributed to a successful outcome. Explain how your role and level of responsibility has grown throughout the year, giving clear examples. It makes it much easier for your manager to support your case, if she has evidence of your achievements.

Know your own worth

Be prepared to request a pay rise and promotion. Know exactly the amount you want before you are asked for it. This demonstrates that you have thought about what you want and where you need to be, and it sets a clear expectation on behalf of your manager.

Make sure you have researched the pay market in case you cite a number that is well outside of the bracket for your industry and experience. There are a number of excellent online resources for finding out what the levels are within your business. Your HR department may even give you a range for your job function. It never hurts to ask.

Be prepared to demonstrate that you are committed to the team and offer something over and above every other candidate who is pushing for a promotion. Cite specific examples of when you were able to secure that on-sell, or when you were willing to go that extra mile in meeting a tight deadline.

Career plans count

Be prepared to demonstrate a plan for your career and that you are already investing in your career. Catalogue the training you have been involved in and the courses you have completed. Don’t forget to include any networking functions you have been a part of, or books you have read that are relevant to your job. Map out with your manager how you plan on using a promotion opportunity as the first step in a five-year plan to make director or partner (or whatever goal you have).

Help your manager to be part of the career journey you have planned for yourself. Give him specific examples of you achieving success for yourself and for your clients. If you can paint a clear picture of achievement and have a plan for future success, he have a hard time saying no. Good luck!

The author is a financial professional in Australia. The views expressed are his own and not those of eFinancialCareers.