Accounting Skills You Need to Succeed on the Job

What does it take for an accountant to be successful in their job? These differentiating skill sets will put you ahead of the pack:

1. Business acumen

Be a strategic thinker; see the big picture and understand how your role (and others') impacts the whole organisation.

2. Accounting technology skills

Advanced Excel, ERP experience (e.g. SAP, Oracle), data analysis, advanced modelling, business intelligence software (e.g. IBM Cognos), Microsoft Visual Basic, QuickBooks (for small and midsize firms), and more.

3. Communication skills

Present reports and write emails that break down the story the data tells for non-data-savvy colleagues, so your reports add value to the organisation's strategic stance.

4. Leadership qualities

Be an ambitious self-starter who develops new insights, manages projects, and motivates team members to achieve strategic goals.

5. Customer service skills

Truly listen to clients' needs and concerns, internal or external; a positive attitude goes a long way when workloads and deadlines pile up.

6. Specialized experience

The icing on the cake: which sector do you know deeply — manufacturing, service, logistics, not-for-profits? Most organisations hire accountants experienced in a business similar to theirs.