The field of accounting offers the right individual a promising career, filled with plenty of opportunity for advancement and high earnings. However, there are certain skills that must be acquired in order to make a successful go in this career path. Consider your skillset and determine whether you already have or can obtain the following skills to advance your accounting career.
- Technology Acumen
Every industry continues to move towards greater computing processes, and accounting isn’t exempt from the changes that advancing technology brings. Accountants must work with finance-specific programs and cloud computing continues to become more prevalent. Business owners and employers are looking for accounting candidates that can easily adapt to different accounting software programs like those at https://quickbooks.intuit.com. Stay abreast of technology trends affecting the industry and their role in particular, and understand how to use new products in conjunction with individual expertise in order to offer clients the best service. From Excel to data analytics, in order to stay competitive in the field of accounting, it’s important to foster an interest in and proclivity for tech-related products and updates.
- Tenacity
It’s not an easy road to becoming an accounting professional. While there are many ways to advance and numerous paths to increasing your pay grade, these opportunities don’t come without their fair share of work. Consider one of the most sought after designations in the accounting field: becoming a CPA. Certified public accountants are in demand in almost every industry, and many CPAs can easily find themselves making six figures down the line. However, the path to this distinction is riddled with investment, in both time and money. In order to receive this designation, an accounting professional must obtain the right amount of education, garner enough experience, and pass the extremely difficult CPA exam. This exam can take candidates years to pass, with multiple retakes being the commonality, not the exception. Most candidates find they must purchase and utilize study materials from a site like http://cpaexamguy.com for months before sitting any portion of the test, meaning you’ll need to find time to study and prepare in conjunction with your 9 to 5 job. Some employers facilitate the pursuit of this designation, while others won’t consider it.
- Analytical Skills
While accountants are tasked with gathering pertinent information, they’re also responsible for translating that information into usable data. This is where analytical skills become paramount. You’ll need to be able to crunch numbers, then analyze what those numbers mean for a company or client’s future. Being able to understand strategy and use small parts to visualize the bigger picture is a vital aspect of the accounting profession.
- Communication Skills
So you’re skilled with numbers, but can you explain your processes to an onlooker? Communication skills are vital for accountants. If you decide to go into public accounting, you’ll be working with a variety of different clients. You’ll also likely be running between departments to ensure your firm is on the same page. Accountants deal with complex financial projects; you’ll need to be able to explain this concepts in simple-to-understand terms to both colleagues and clients. From in-person interactions to email exchanges, it’s important to be able to alter your communication style depending on your audience.
Customer Service
Customer service skills are very important to those in the accounting profession. Why? You’ll be tasked with bringing in new clients and fostering relationships with those already on your firm’s roster. You’ll need to be able to listen to and respond appropriately to client needs and desires, and cultivate strong relationships that will keep clients loyal to your firm. Accounting is a notoriously stressful field; you’ll work with clients during high-stress moments, and need to be able to keep your head and remain calm even in moments of panic.
Cultivating a successful career in accounting requires more than stellar math skills and superior organization. If you want to get hired by a top accounting firm, you’ll need to expand upon your skillset. These five skills are essential for accounting professionals, and making an effort to expand upon these facets is sure to serve your career well.
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