So you want to be an accountant? Successful accountants don’t only have the educational background to make it big but most also have a few qualities that should make him stand out from the rest. If you want to be a successful accountant, then make sure that you have the following abilities:
Areas of Expertise
As an accountant salary you have to have some areas of expertise, great if these areas are the usual needs of the public like taxation for example. You must already imbibe the basic accounting principles but to make you more competitive, it would be a great idea if you are also an expert in business management and administration. Finally, you will be presenting yourself and writing reports so as much as possible, you should be able to speak clearly and fluently as well as write good, engaging reports.
Personal Characteristics
Your expertise as an accountant is not enough for you to succeed. Most of the time, your success would rely on how good you are when it comes to dealing with your clients. As such, you have to have certain characteristics like the following:
- Knows how to dress well and make a good visual impression of himself.
- Should be well-groomed and have a good personal image.
- Must be credible and trustworthy.
- Must be confident, showing his areas of expertise without looking cocky or overbearing.
- Must be inviting enough to allow questions and answer the worries of clients.
- Must be warm and pleasant and can get along with a number of people from different walks of life.
- Must be creative and resourceful in finding ways to solve clients’ problems.
Management Skills
As an accountant, you will be in charge of some employees and staff or you might have to supervise the work of junior or assistant accountants. As such you must be able to work and handle your staff well. As boss, you might also have to be in charge of your company’s finances. You must be good with money, not just in making sure that the money’s safe but also in making sure that you and your company are not going over-budget
Corporate Relations Tips
As an accountant, you might be hired as a consultant for a company or an organization. Successful accountants should know how to deal and maintain relations with these companies. Here are some tips:
- Be on time on appointments
- Introduce yourself properly and shake hands
- Practice Common Courtesy
- Send Thank You Notes
- Schedule and manage meetings properly.
