Accounting professionals are extremely important in almost all functions of business. There are many jobs relating to accounting, such as accountant, auditor, payroll officer, bookkeeper, accounting clerk, and many more. Accounting careers require a variety of technical skills, such as accounting qualifications, software certificates, and math skills. At the same time, numerous soft skills are also needed for accounting professionals to assist clients, manage multiple accounts, and keep data records organized. The essential job skills in the accounting profession encompass more than the ability to crunch numbers. Now, let’s take a look at the 4 most popular accounting skills that employers look for in resumes, cover letters, job applications, and interviews.
Communication Skill
Accounting professionals need to convey complex information in a professional manner with other departments, colleagues, and clients. Therefore, learning to tailor your communication style is vital. As an accounting professional, there will be times when you need to present your figures in person, in front of a group, via email, or over the phone.
You need to be able to express yourself concisely and present complex mathematical ideas in a clear, accessible way. No matter which industry you’re in, being able to communicate well will help you land the job you want, work in a team, interact with clients, and advance professionally in the long run.
Information Technology Knowledge
For all occupations, the proficiency in the Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is a must. Accounting jobs often require knowledge in various computer programs and systems. As an accounting professional, you need to be familiar with industry-specific software like Microsoft Dynamics Great Plains, QuickBooks, Simply Accounting, and SAP, as well as tax preparation software and Audit Command Language.
For example, an accounting clerk might need to use finance-related software systems like QuickBooks, a bookkeeper might need advanced Excel skills, and an auditor might need to know certain data modelling programs. Having a grasp of accounting information technology will put you ahead of the job competition.
Organizational Skill
Organizational skill is also a useful and desired trait that every accounting professional should acquire. This include the ability to concentrate on different clients’ data, prioritize a wide range of work responsibilities, and multi-tasking.
Accounting clerks, Payroll officers, Bookkeepers, and many other accounting occupations work with a variety of clients and accounts. To be a qualified accounting professional, you need to have a system to keep track of all the portfolios you manage, the transactions you handle, and any important dates and deadlines you need to meet to ensure that you fulfill all of your duties to the best of your ability.
Analytical skill
Accounting professionals read, compare, and interpret figures and data for both individuals and organizations. For example, accountants might work to minimize a client’s tax liability by looking at their finances, while auditors might analyze data to find instances of people misusing funds.
Being able to analyze numbers and figures in documents is essential for all accounting professionals. A career in accounting also requires you to pay attention to details. When working in accounting, you will often comb through a lot of data, find the prominent details, and analyze and interpret the records as a whole. This requires great attention to detail and ability to analyze data.
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