Which of the following knowledge and skills should an accounting professional possess?
Accountants enjoy a solid job outlook and wages that are well above the median earnings for American workers. If you enjoy working with numbers, solving problems, and organizing statements and records, you might find your dream job in the accounting world. Show
There are many accounting positions to choose from, including accountant, auditor, comptroller, bookkeeper, accounting clerk, and more. All of these positions require a core group of similar skills. Accountant Job ResponsibilitiesAccountants collect, organize, and track financial information for organizations. They prepare financial reports regarding revenues, expenses, assets, and liabilities for internal use by staff and to meet requirements by the government, shareholders, and other external entities. Accountants conduct audits to determine if client organizations or their own employer is following established legal practices and company policies for financial transactions and record keeping. They prepare reports with their findings and recommend remedies to resolve problems and reduce the risk of lawsuits and financial losses due to staff errors or criminal activity. Accountants prepare tax returns to minimize tax liabilities and ensure that income is reported according to the IRS code. They advise clients or management at their firm regarding strategies to limit future tax burdens. Public accountants must go through a rigorous certification process that includes passing the Certified Public Accounting (CPA) exam as well as meeting educational and work experience requirements. Employment OutlookAccording to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for accountants is expected to grow 4% from 2019 to 2029, as fast as the average for all occupations. Accountants with professional certifications like the CPA designation are expected to have the best job prospects. Accountant SalaryThe median annual salary for accountants was $71,550 in May 2019, according to the BLS. The bottom 10% earned less than $44,480, while the top 10% earned more than $124,450. Accounting Skills List and ExamplesAccounting requires certain hard skills, such as mathematics and expertise with accounting software. A thorough knowledge of relevant laws and regulations is necessary for many positions. Accountants must be detail oriented, have strong analytical skills, and a facility with computer software such as spreadsheet programs to organize and report financial data. Accounting also requires a number of soft skills that you might not learn in school, but will definitely help you land and keep a job. You can use the following list of sought-after skills to determine if a career in accountancy might be a good match for you. Top Five Accounting Skills1. AnalyticalAccounting professionals must read, compare, and interpret figures and data. For example, accountants might work to minimize a client’s tax liability by looking at their finances. Auditors might analyze data to find instances of people misusing funds. Being able to analyze numbers and figures in documents is a critical skill for all accounting jobs.
2. Communication/InterpersonalAccountants have to be able to communicate with other departments, colleagues, and clients. They might have to communicate in person, via email, or over the phone. Accountants also often have to give presentations. Therefore, their written and oral communication must be strong. Often, they have to present complex mathematical ideas in a clear, accessible way.
3. Detail OrientedA lot of accounting is about paying attention to the little details. Accounting professionals often wade through a lot of data that they must analyze and interpret. This requires great attention to detail.
4. Information TechnologyAccounting jobs often require knowledge of a variety of computer programs and systems. For example, an accountant might need to use finance-related software systems (like QuickBooks), a bookkeeper might need advanced Excel skills, or an auditor might need to know certain data modeling programs. Having a grasp of IT related to the accounting field will put you ahead of the job competition.
5. Organizational/BusinessOrganizational skills are important for accounting jobs. Accountants, bookkeepers, and others in the accounting field must work with and manage a range of clients’ documents. They need to be able to keep these documents in order, and manage each client’s data.
More Accountant Job Skills
Best Ways to Include These Skills in Your ResumeThere are common accounting skills that you will be expected to know how to utilize as a new member of a public accounting firm or as a corporate accountant. Match your qualifications to the job. An employer will generally list these skills under the Job Responsibilities section of their position description – and your resume needs to be structured in such a way that these skills immediately catch the eye of the hiring manager. Highlight relevant skills at the top of your resume. The best place to showcase your accounting hard skills is at the very beginning of your resume, right after your opening Qualifications Summary section. These keywords will “pop” on the page if you place them in a dedicated Core Competencies section or table. In the resume example below, notice how the most important accounting skills – “Corporate Accounting, Corporate Reporting, Cost Accounting, Tax Accounting, GAAP, Risk Management, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Regulatory Compliance, Asset Management, General Ledger, Variance Analysis, Financial Audits, Financial Analysis”—are listed even before the Professional Experience section. They are then repeated, whenever possible, throughout the job descriptions and the bulleted key contributions text. Include the software programs you use. Because most financial reporting and accounting is conducted using sophisticated software, you should also list the programs you frequently use, either as a line of text within your Qualifications Summary or, as in the example above, in a Technical Proficiencies section. Whether you are applying for a position as a public accountant with a financial services firm or as a private accountant with a company, you will need to list the specific accounting proficiencies that you possess—things like AP/AR administration, general ledger reconciliation, tax accounting, or auditing. Your best guide for knowing which of your skills to emphasize is the specific description of the job to which you are applying. If the description mentions specific preferred skills, you need to include these in your resume. Showcase your education, certification, and training. Earning your CPA certification or taking other continuing education courses will set you apart from other candidates who have not completed advanced accounting training. If you are still in the process of studying for your CPA designation, list the most relevant courses you have taken in the Education section of your resume. Mention soft skills. While accountants are required to have strong analytical and mathematical skills, they also need to be able to communicate effectively with clients and/or departmental team members. Mentioning soft skills such as teamwork and oral/written communications talents will help to convince a potential employer that you would thrive not only working independently, but also in collaborative settings. Accountant Resume ExampleThis is an example of a resume for an accountant position. Download the accountant resume template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online) or see below for more examples. @ The Balance 2020Accountant Position: Resume ExampleBradley Applicant 123 Main Street • Greenville, SC 29601 • (123) 456-7890 • CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT Proven success with budgets, financial analysis, and tax strategies Analytical and meticulous CPA with proven effectiveness preparing financial reports, budgets, analyses, and forecasts in strict compliance with GAAP and all regulatory standards. Well-versed in all corporate accounting functions, including complex federal and state tax accounting. Core competencies & professional training:
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE MASON
FINANCIAL SERVICES INC., Greenville, S.C. Work closely with corporate clients and independent business owners to compile financial data, facilitate tax planning and preparation, and coordinate financial audits. Prepare and file SEC reports. Notable accomplishments:
LEOPOLD MANUFACTURING COMPANY, Clemson, S.C. Performed general business accounting functions for manufacturing company. Notable Accomplishments:
EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS CLEMSON UNIVERSITY, Clemson, S.C. Information Technology Skills Accountant Cover Letter ExampleThe cover letter example below highlights the candidate's most relevant skills and qualifications for the job. Bradley Applicant, CPA September 16, 2020 Mary Smith Dear Ms. Smith: Please accept the attached resume as a sign of my deep interest in the Accountant position that has opened with Upwards Corporation. As a Certified Public Accountant with solid experience in both public and private accounting, I have developed a broad skillset in the fields of corporate treasury accounting, tax preparation, and auditing that will ensure my flawless analysis and organization of your company’s financial data. A few of my qualifications for this role include:
Eager to return to the intellectual challenges of private corporate accounting, I would welcome the chance to speak with you at greater length about how I could contribute to Upwards Corporation’s accounting department. Thank you for your time, consideration, and forthcoming response. Sincerely, Bradley Applicant What skills are the most important in financial accounting?Top Skills of an Accountant. Knowledge of Accounting Practices. ... . Proficiency in Accounting Software. ... . Ability to Prepare Financial Statements. ... . Knowledge of General Business Practices. ... . Ability to Analyze Data. ... . Critical Thinking Skills. ... . Accounting Organizational Skills. ... . Time Management Skills.. What is accounting knowledge?Accounting skills are abilities that allow you to accurately and ethically manage financial transactions, analyze financial data and generate financial reports. They include hard skills such as understanding generally accepted accounting principles, mathematical comprehension and data analysis.
Why are accounting skills important?Accounting principles will also help you keep track of business financials, prepare for taxes, and set the business up for success. Synergy with your accounting team: Accounting skills can also help you find synergy with your accounting team.
What are the traditional accounting skills?7 Skills for Accountants to Succeed on the Job. Specialized experience. ... . General business knowledge. ... . Up-to-date technology expertise. ... . Communication skills. ... . Adaptability and flexibility. ... . Leadership abilities. ... . Customer service orientation. ... . Looking to boost your accounting skills?. |