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What skill does an accountant need?
#accounting #accountant
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30 answers
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Sunny’s Answer
Hi Jessica,
There are a lot of skills that are beneficial to have as an accountant, but I think there are 3 main skills/abilities that I see from most accountants that I work with.
Pay attention to details - There are plenty of numerical data that you need to analyze, modify or scrutinize. Catching little discrepancies can be very challenging, but it can make a big difference in the output and is still part of an accountant's job. So it is an advantage if you can focus on details very well.
Teamwork - Unless you are a sole proprietor who runs a CPA firm by yourself, you get to work with other people. So it is good to have teamwork skills such as how to communicate with others and how to collaborate to finish the deliverables under tight schedules.
Stay up-to-date - Accounting rules change through time and it is significant to learn about the IRS news and new laws that might affect the client's tax liabilities. So if you like learning more about accounting policies and laws, you are closer to your objectives!
There are a lot of skills that are beneficial to have as an accountant, but I think there are 3 main skills/abilities that I see from most accountants that I work with.
Pay attention to details - There are plenty of numerical data that you need to analyze, modify or scrutinize. Catching little discrepancies can be very challenging, but it can make a big difference in the output and is still part of an accountant's job. So it is an advantage if you can focus on details very well.
Teamwork - Unless you are a sole proprietor who runs a CPA firm by yourself, you get to work with other people. So it is good to have teamwork skills such as how to communicate with others and how to collaborate to finish the deliverables under tight schedules.
Stay up-to-date - Accounting rules change through time and it is significant to learn about the IRS news and new laws that might affect the client's tax liabilities. So if you like learning more about accounting policies and laws, you are closer to your objectives!
Updated
Jennifer’s Answer
Accountants need to be organized, deadline-driven, and able to communicate effectively. They have to be able to multitask, and work long hours at times. They have to be able to build relationships with their clients or other people within their companies so they can get the information they need to do their jobs correctly. In addition, especially if an accountant wants to stay in public accounting and become a partner in a firm, they have to be able to identify needs that their clients have, and they have to be able to sell their services to their clients. Many accounting students underestimate how important selling skills are going to be in their accounting careers.
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Kristina’s Answer
Hello. I agree with many answers regarding the analytical, time management, and organizational skills. I also wanted to stress the importance of interpersonal skills, as some people tend not to associate those with accounting. In public accounting, for example, we spend a lot of time working together, communicating with clients, and collaborating across levels throughout the firm. Another point I want to highlight is the importance of being willing to continue to learn. The industry is constantly changing, and it is very important to be open to continuing the learning process throughout your career. This might include learning new rules, implementing new technologies, or building expertise. I believe that these skills along with an interest in accounting can lead to a very fulfilling career.
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Lindsey’s Answer
Accountants need a combination of hard and soft skills, including analytical skills, computer skills and attention to detail. They also need good communication skills (both written and verbal), interpersonal skills, ability to work well with others, and lastly the ability to multitask and manage time.
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Aaron’s Answer
Hi Jessica,
Accountants need many skills of which some may come as a surprise. Analytical skills, love of numbers, ability to articulate conclusions, organization, adaptability, flexibility, time management and communication skills. One of the biggest assets will be your ability to build relationships and share key messages that’s are clear and concise. Depending on where you work not everyone will be an accountant, so it’s important that you can articulate sometimes complex messages for all to understand.
Accounting will offer you a large array of career opportunities and with each role certain skills are more crucial than others. Find what you love to do and be open to developing all of your skills!
Accountants need many skills of which some may come as a surprise. Analytical skills, love of numbers, ability to articulate conclusions, organization, adaptability, flexibility, time management and communication skills. One of the biggest assets will be your ability to build relationships and share key messages that’s are clear and concise. Depending on where you work not everyone will be an accountant, so it’s important that you can articulate sometimes complex messages for all to understand.
Accounting will offer you a large array of career opportunities and with each role certain skills are more crucial than others. Find what you love to do and be open to developing all of your skills!
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Laurie’s Answer
Hello, to be a good accountant you need to have strong analytical, communication (both verbal and written) and personal skills. You also need to be very detailed oriented. Accountants do more than just add and subtract, we help run businesses.
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Alyssa’s Answer
Successful accountants need to have hard skills as well as emotional intelligence. You will find that being organized plays a crucial role in your success of meeting deadlines and staying on task. Communication skills, both written and verbal, are part of the day-to-day and something that you should practice as often as you can.
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Karma’s Answer
Great question! This question is generally asked in an interview when you will try to land a job in the accounting field. Some of the key skills that would be good to have in an accountant are attention to detail, organized, ability to follow directions well, good listening and communication skills, and a positive attitude.
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Paula’s Answer
There are several skills an accountant should have. The first of them is analytical skills. They should be good at math. They should be good at solving problems. They should be good at handling cash. These are just a few skills that an account uses. There are several different types of accountants. My suggestion is to check with the college you are looking at attending. They should have a list of skills that will help you determine if accounting is the right fit for you.
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Salma’s Answer
I believe to have good communication skills and high Emotional Intelligence,
I agree with many answers above mentioning an eye for details, analytical skills, time management and being organised.
mainly these are the key skills to accounting/ auditing.
I agree with many answers above mentioning an eye for details, analytical skills, time management and being organised.
mainly these are the key skills to accounting/ auditing.
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Susana’s Answer
You should be organized, analytical, detail oriented, be able to multitask.
By being an accountant, you also have the opportunity to work in other departments such as Financial Planning, Forecasting, Sales, Marketing, Project Management, Properties, Operations. Is a career that offers many opportunities to keep growing in any direction you want.
By being an accountant, you also have the opportunity to work in other departments such as Financial Planning, Forecasting, Sales, Marketing, Project Management, Properties, Operations. Is a career that offers many opportunities to keep growing in any direction you want.
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Keesa’s Answer
Organization skills and attention to detail are extremely important! Time management and problem solving skills are also needed.
Hope this helps!
Hope this helps!
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Bryan’s Answer
Getting CPA license or at least pass all 4 exams after college should be your starting point.
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Michael’s Answer
Like every career, the most important skill to have is desire and the willingness to learn. Skills can be learned but desire must come from within. Once you have the desire, key skills to focus on would be the following:
1. Technical knowledge within the accounting profession - obtaining an accounting degree and perhaps a CPA certification (depending on your focus)
2. The ability to apply such knowledge to everyday application (nothing is ever as straightforward as textbook examples)
3. The ability to pay attention to detail
4. The ability to step back after the work is done and ask the question - does this make sense
5. Being organized with the ability to multi-task
6. Teamwork and communication skills
The above is but a few of skills that I believe would be necessary.
1. Technical knowledge within the accounting profession - obtaining an accounting degree and perhaps a CPA certification (depending on your focus)
2. The ability to apply such knowledge to everyday application (nothing is ever as straightforward as textbook examples)
3. The ability to pay attention to detail
4. The ability to step back after the work is done and ask the question - does this make sense
5. Being organized with the ability to multi-task
6. Teamwork and communication skills
The above is but a few of skills that I believe would be necessary.
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Barbra’s Answer
- technical skills
- team work skills
- certificate (ACCA/CPA...)
- Excel skills
- team work skills
- certificate (ACCA/CPA...)
- Excel skills
Updated
Simeon’s Answer
In addition to the other comments, I would say that you would do well to start learning some of the rules of accounting from a textbook on your own. Accounting 1 and 2 are fairly straightforward to teach yourself. There will, of course, be some journal entry types that will be a smidge confusing. This might sound crazy, but the sooner you can get yourself in a position to start studying for your CPA exam, the better. It's probably the hardest part of qualifying to become an accountant professionally. If you can get your hands on study materials, it's better to start studying a little bit for it each week, something like 15 to 30 minutes. Your future self will thank you, but I suppose some cram studying is inevitable.
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Danny’s Answer
Accountants need a plethora of skills to succeed in their field. That does not mean that you are expected to have all of these skills when you first start. Having an open mind and persistence will allow you to succeed!
Many of the firms teach you much of what you will need on the job. They give you many opportunities to grow while you start client work.
Many of the firms teach you much of what you will need on the job. They give you many opportunities to grow while you start client work.
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