BellaOnline Forums Career Accounting Accountants Best Practices

What does it take for an accountant to excel in his or her career?

I have noticed that successful accountants have this set of skills in addition to their solid knowledge in Accounting:

o Keep up with current information
o Apply critical thinking in a regular basis
o Analyze information objectively
o Know Excel and Access - Understand Complex functions
o Solve problems effectively
o Develop lasting relationships
o Research from the best sources
o Belong to professional organizations
o Give back to the community

What would you add to this set of skills?

Communication skills are crucial to an accountant's success. What good is it to be well-versed in Accounting matters and not being able to properly communicate your knowledge?

Joining professional organizations and giving presentations enhances your abilities to communicate and, at the same time, it builds an excellent network.

Share with us the name of the best organizations to become a proficient speaker in a very inexpensive ways.

To succeed, you must work well in a team environment and be able to organize large amounts of data using computer applications and spreadsheet analysis.

This is a must!

Be resourceful searching the web.

It streamlines time and enables you to find useful and up to date information.

"It has been my experience that competency in mathematics, both in numerical manipulations and in understanding its conceptual foundations, enhances a person's ability to handle the more ambiguous and qualitative relationships that dominate our day-to-day financial decision-making"

I am with Mr.Alan Greenspan. Absolutely!

In today's global environment it is crucial to assertively cope with multicultural differences.

Companies with worldwide operations are hiring accountants that will work with colleagues all over the world.

Respecting cultural differences enhances our opportunities in the market place.

What have been your experience working with peers from other ccountries?

To succeed in any practice, you must both absolutely excel at technical skills and develop communication skills that aid in practice development and marketing.

It doesn't matter how many other skills you have, if you do not excel technically, and are not preceived as an expert, then your practice or your chances for advancement will dry up.

Kirk

Great input Kirk!I agree with you.

Thank you very much.

Accountants who get actively involved in budget and forecast activities really provide meaningful insights to the decision-makers. It grants the accountant credibility and respect.