The integrity of our accounting systems sustains our economy and commercial systems. The accounting industry offers opportunities for swift individual progress and at the same time seeks high-quality graduates who are looking for challenging careers.

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	Good accountants value others’ views and rally others’ support to achieve their organizations' objectives.

The following skills are integral to the success of accounting professionals:

Functional Skills

Functional skills are related to technical competencies and can assist accountants in becoming efficient and effective workers.

Decision Modeling: Accountants should take strategic and critical approaches to the decision-making process. They must probe issues, identify problems, and test various probable solutions. Good accountants use quantitative techniques to evaluate cost benefits as well as risks and rewards resulting from probable solutions.

Risk Analysis: Risk analysis and control are fundamental to the practice of accounting. Accountants should be alert in order to detect errors and fraud and capable of implementing corrective measures.

Measurement: Accountants should use reliable and relevant techniques and disclosure criteria to assess their measurements. They should be able to present their measurement results to their clients or members of upper management objectively and resolve ambiguities in estimates.

Reporting: Communicating the scope of assignments, findings, and recommendations is essential to the accounting profession. Objectivity, precision, and clarity enhance the value of accountants’ reports.

Technological Skills: Accounting professionals need to use technology-assisted tools to control risk, document work, research data, and build appropriate models and simulations. Thus, accounting professionals must incorporate technological advances into their practices. Commitment to continual technological learning can enhance their professional competencies since technological tools such as email, discussion boards, and video conferencing are essential in any field.

Personal Skills

Personal skills relate to individual attitudes and behaviors. They can enhance accountants’ professional skills and facilitate their learning endeavors.

Professional Demeanor: Accountants should act in a way that is consistent with the standards of the profession and the norms of the environments in which they function. They should not deviate from objectivity, integrity, and ethical behavior in any event. They should respect confidentiality and accept professional criticism and evaluation objectively.

Problem Solving and Decision Making: Accountants should know how to assess information, build opinions, propose alternative solutions, and analyze their impact. The ability to perform insightful analysis, good judgment, and unconventional thinking are useful traits for accountants.

Interpersonal Skills: Accounting professionals must be able to work productively with others within organizations and markets. Their ability to interact with diverse, cross-functional teams can help their organizations achieve objectives. Respect for group protocols and willingness to serve as a mentor are also highly appreciated in the accounting industry.

Leadership: The ability to motivate others, facilitate consensus, and govern groups in varied circumstances is a valuable quality in an accountant. Good accountants value others’ views and rally others’ support to achieve their organizations’ objectives.

Communication: Accounting is the language of business that few mangers comprehend. Articulate accounting professionals can communicate important aspects of their work meaningfully to concerned officers. The ability to organize ideas and communicate clear and concise messages is very important in the accounting industry.

Project Management: Accountants should be able to handle diverse projects that vary in size, dimension, complexity, and significance. The highest achievers in the accounting industry are able to set goals, prioritize, delegate, manage human and technical resources, respond to emergencies, and see projects through to completion.

On the net:

Accountancy as a Profession
www.ca.courses-careers.com/accountancy2.htm

Competencies to be Attained by Accounting Majors
www.cob.sjsu.edu/acct&fin/connection/Acct%20Competencies.htm

New Competencies for Accounting Students
www.nysscpa.org/cpajournal/2002/0102/dept/d016802.htm

Accounting: Skills and Talents
www.careers-in-accounting.com/acskill.htm

Career Guide for Accountants
jobs.state.va.us/careerguides/accountants.htm

The Future Scope, Content, and Structure of Accounting Education
aaahq.org/AECC/future/scope.htm

Bring Order and Structure to Your Accounting Job Search

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