{"id":60308,"date":"2019-05-11t12:00:58","date_gmt":"2019-05-11t16:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/48e130086c.nxcli.net\/?p=60308"},"modified":"2024-08-14t11:26:55","modified_gmt":"2024-08-14t15:26:55","slug":"what-aspiring-accountants-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/\/www.g005e.com\/2019\/05\/11\/what-aspiring-accountants-need-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"what aspiring accountants need to know"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/a>the five keys to kick-starting new careers they don’t teach in college.<\/strong><\/p>\n by steven sacks<\/em><\/p>\n when i was asked recently to address college seniors in accounting, we initially thought it would be all about technology. instead, we talked about something else: how their real education would be learned on the job. and neither their skills in technology nor accounting would be their most important advantages.<\/p>\n more: <\/b>is your firm\u2019s culture a magnet?<\/a> | improve job satisfaction or it\u2019ll cost your firm<\/a> | performing like crap can be a badge of honor<\/a> | 7 steps to take as your firm grows<\/a> | the damocles sword of staff retention<\/a> | five powerpoint rules to live by<\/a> | can we please refer to accounting as a profession?<\/a> the students, by this time, had all the technical knowledge they would need to begin a career in either the public or private sector. so they were more interested in the evolution of the profession and the necessary human skills that would help kick-start their careers. come to think of it, what we discussed might be as relevant to a senior partner as a newbie recruit. they are the essentials for achieving long-term success at any stage, and maybe in any line of work.<\/p>\n we covered five major topics:<\/p>\n relevance.<\/strong> this is the biggest concern that accountants and the accounting profession face today. in the years to come, there will be more non-cpa professionals entering accounting firms or corporations who will be equipped with knowledge that goes well beyond the auditing function. as clients or businesses become more sophisticated, there is an expectation that those who are hired will be able to look beyond, around and through the numbers. an audit is an audit is an audit. and one completed and delivered to the client three months into the new fiscal or calendar year will have served no useful purpose.<\/p>\n thus, new professionals will have to go through intensive training supported by technology while understanding business processes in order to analyze data and convey the information in real time. this will enable them to synthesize information and create alternative strategies.<\/p>\n value.<\/strong> how can cpas deliver value to their clients? in fact, the bigger question to consider is how to define value. for the cpa, it may mean more \u201ctouch points\u201d with the client during the year. an insightful industry-specific article clipped, scanned and emailed to the client is one way to show a year-round intention to help the client become more successful. it could entail recommending and implementing solutions to problem areas discovered during the audit. or, it could involve exploring more innovative financial planning strategies at the same time the tax return is being prepared.<\/p>\n communication.<\/strong> out of all the themes i covered, the ability to convey thoughts both verbal and written in a clear, comprehensive and compelling fashion will be the most important ability to possess. whether it involves writing a management report or simply composing an email, the needs of the reader must be \u201ctop of mind.\u201d information comes from many directions and sources, and professionals must be able to absorb it, translate it and share it effectively with different stakeholders.<\/p>\n natural curiosity.<\/strong> young accounting professionals need to ask questions and listen carefully. the questions could be addressed to their bosses or their clients. there is no such thing as a stupid question in the search for understanding. the more business intelligence gathered the greater the understanding will be gained about an industry, competition, operations, workflows, market demographics and myriad other aspects.<\/p>\n additionally, younger professionals need to get involved in networking events, whether they are in-house \u201cmeet and greets\u201d with current or prospective clients or attending professional conferences that cover industries, techniques for business development, practice management, communications or any other topic that will enhance their personal and professional growth.<\/p>\n adaptability.<\/strong> while firms or businesses have a multigenerational workforce, there has to be a meeting of the minds when it comes to approaches to communication and business development. consider the challenge of blending an accounting firm\u2019s reputation and image with the effective use of social media. while older and shrewder workers can deliver more output, the question is whether they are willing to learn new technologies. at the same time, can the younger professionals be flexible (and patient) in working with the older partners?<\/p>\n finally, i shared with the graduating students three key considerations as they relate to their future in the accounting profession:<\/p>\n 1. gain a greater understanding of business on a global scale.<\/p>\n 2. comprehend cultural differences when dealing with international clients, or even when working in an environment that has a diverse workforce. appreciating and following the norms of other cultures will create trust and build stronger relationships.<\/p>\n 3. focus more on the \u201cwhy\u201d and \u201chow\u201d regarding issues rather than on the \u201cwhat\u201d and \u201cwhen.\u201d the first two questions will drive the research and the discovery of causative factors.<\/p>\n technology will not be the only answer to the future challenges facing the accounting profession. before considering technology, firms should give more thought to the establishment of a \u2013<\/p>\n \u2022 set of hiring criteria and reducing reliance on artificial intelligence for making candidate selections.<\/p>\n \u2022 strategic direction for the firm that is shared with every staff member.<\/p>\n \u2022 culture that encourages openness, knowledge sharing and crucial conversations.<\/p>\n \u2022 career road map for new professionals along with effective onboarding and mentoring.<\/p>\n informing new professionals (and even seasoned professionals) about these concepts may be old hat for some, or it may be a revelation, but it never hurts to be reminded every now and then.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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