Bringing personal stuff to work to spice up a bland office or cubicle is normal—and expected—in most workplaces. More conservative offices sometimes have guidelines about what’s inappropriate (Spring break photos, anyone?) and what’s acceptable (photos of adorable nieces or nephews to brighten up the office.)

However, when it comes to financial and accounting jobs, potential candidates should consider their personal preferences before deciding to dive head first into the field. While challenging and certainly rewarding, bringing too much personality into any space can appear immature or even juvenile, so use your best discretion when packing up a box of knickknacks for your first professional space

finance recruitment companies are a wonderful resource to help you discern what’s appropriate and what’s not, especially when it comes to your brand new gig. Once you’re out of school and have finally landed that next dream job, the last thing you would want is for your new coworkers to consider you inexperienced or unprofessional.

In fact, you want to project the exact opposite, especially when you’re the newcomer. You want to be poised, mature and confident, so you’ll quickly climb the office ladder and become a respected expert. Below, take a look at some of the best personal stuff to put on your first desk, especially if you want to succeed in finance now, and in the future.

Family Photos

Image from Flickr

Snapshots of your loved ones framed in tasteful, neutral wood or glass will invite friendly chat with your new friends at the office. Steer clear of any vacation shots where you might be bearing too much skin, and ask yourself, “Would I feel embarrassed if my coworkers saw me like this in the office?” before displaying for them to see.

College Paperwork

Any degree, diploma or special honor deserves a spot on that cubicle wall. Display your degree with pride—just be careful not to harm it in the move from home to work. That’s one pricey piece of paper!

Personalized Stationary

Image from Flickr

Thank-you notes or personalized sticky notes are a cute nod to your personality without being overtly obnoxious. If you love the color green or blue, load up on your favorite hues when stocking up on paper clips, staplers or pens for an extra shot of color.

Now that you’ve gotten a small taste of what’s acceptable—and what’s not so acceptable—in the office, do you think you’ll think twice before bringing that teddy bear poster from your dorm room into your new professional space? And this same theory applies online, too. Consider any social networking sites an extension of your professional self, so keep questionable photos and language at the bare minimum.

Accountants and finance professionals, do you agree with this compilation? What’s ordinary in your office, and what seems out of place? We’d love any first-hand feedback.