10 Key Personality Traits for a Great Accountant

1. Excellent organisation

Accountants juggle figures, data, and paperwork daily; they need systems to find information fast and protect time for undisturbed research and analysis.

2. Killer time management

Accountants increasingly contribute to strategic decision-making, so they must prioritise a packed schedule.

3. Attention to detail

An eye for accuracy must be their modus operandi, not something they need reminding of.

4. Focus on the client

Understand the client's industry and sector in detail; only then can you judge which accounting rules or measures fit the business.

5. Creativity

Great accountants think out of the box; some client problems are not textbook cases.

6. Commitment to the sector

Commit to an industry and be passionate about it; companies hire for the long term.

7. Extreme trustworthiness

Accountants handle highly confidential information; never impart it to third parties.

8. Great communication skills

Collaborate across departments and communicate key insights to non-finance staff, using data visualisation to aid understanding.

9. Collaboration

The lonesome number-cruncher is a myth; accountants work in teams supporting different departments.

10. Flexibility

Embrace challenges and adapt to changing work environments and regulatory shifts in the digital age.