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20 Qualities & Traits That Make a Good Accountant. Do you have what it takes to be a successful accountant? For a rewarding accounting career, possessing certain qualities and personality traits is a must.
- Strong Analytical Skills. First on our list is having an analytical mindset. A good accountant is akin to a detective; they dive deep into numbers, identify patterns, and solve complex problems.
- Attention to Detail. When it comes to accounting, the devil is truly in the details. A single misplaced digit can lead to significant discrepancies. Aspiring accountants need to cultivate a keen eye for detail, ensuring that every piece of financial data is accurate and accounted for.
- Strong Ethical Foundation. Accountants hold a position of trust, dealing with confidential financial information on a daily basis. A strong ethical foundation is paramount, ensuring that all financial transactions and reporting are conducted with honesty and integrity.
- Effective Communication Skills. Contrary to popular belief, accounting is not a solitary profession. Accountants frequently interact with clients, colleagues, and other stakeholders.
- Detail Focussed
- Big-Picture Focussed
- Skeptical
- Conservative
- Frugal
- Problem Solver
- Inquisitive
- Methodical
- Ethical
- Business-Oriented
Whether it’s spending the day with their head in a 1000 page tax code or a 50 tab spreadsheet, there is always going to be a need to be in the detail. Even if you’re the CFO you need to be in the detail. Because if that report that’s just left your desk with the numbers about to be reported to the market is wrong, there can be massive repercussions...
Err, so didn’t you just say accountants had to be detail focussed? They have to focus on the big picture as well? Yep, you read correctly. Accountants need to understand how the decisions they make can influence the wider landscape. Their responsibility these days isn’t just about balancing the books; it’s also about being a key strategic advisor.
They call it professional skepticism; the attitude of being suspicious of every piece of information provided to you by someone else. What this does is encourage you to check the facts for yourself, and gather enough evidence so you’re assured that the piece of information is in fact correct.
Here’s one for the joke-makers. Yes, accountants are conservative. But note that we didn’t say boring, just conservative. Accountants need to be the voice of reason pointing out the cons when everyone else is focussing on the pros; identifying the threats when others are just seeing opportunities. Every team needs someone like this.
Sticking with the conservative theme, accountants should treat their company’s money like it’s their own and spend it wisely. Plus, they should be setting an example to others and encouraging them to do the same. A good accountant will always have their eye on the bottom line, and be looking for ways to assist in the achievement of financial goals.
Most accountants are the types that love tochallenge their brains. Don’t let them get started on Sudoku because they’llget addicted in five minutes. The good thing about this trait is that they helpbusinesses succeed by using their analytical thinking to identify problems andcome up with practical ways of solving them.
The best accountants don’t just accept a statement about an issue. They ask the question why. And when they hear the answer they probably ask why again a couple more times. This curiosity helps them get to the root cause of an issue, which in turn enables them to come up with the best solution!
The accountants leave the scattergun approach to the more creative types like advertisers. If you’ve ever seen an audit file, you’ll see an example of structure and method at its best. Everything is ordered and referenced, plus sometimes you’ll still see the trusty old green pen at work. Being methodical means that information can be found efficien...
Ethics is at the heart of all accounting qualifications and accreditations, and the profession has worked hard to obtain the prestigious status it has acquired. Accountants are often placed in positions where an ethical dilemma is faced. They need to make sure they make the right call in these situations, and uphold the integrity of themselves and ...
This gets the number one spot, because if an accountant doesn’t understand the business they’re working for or with, it will be impossible for them to provide the quality of advice or assistance expected. The best accountants add value to a business. This can range from delivering an effective stewardship function through to identifying cost saving...
- Eager to learn “I think a hunger to always be learning is a critical characteristic,” says Brown. Those outside the profession may view accounting as a relatively static field — how much can calculations and formulas change, they may figure — but that perception is far from reality in accounting, Brown indicates.
- Adaptable From a business perspective, the COVID-19 crisis has been nothing if not a lesson in adaptability. For accountants, the pandemic has brought the challenge of learning to interact with clients virtually, without the relationship-fostering benefits of in-person conversations and consultations.
- Effective communicators “It’s the people skills you need—I learned that pretty early on,” says Brown. New team members at an accounting firm may find themselves “being dropped in (with) a client and they don’t like you because you’re the auditor and no one likes that word.”
- Authentic and empathetic Talking with their accountant isn’t on the list of most people’s—or most companies’—most-looked-forward-to tasks. For a lot of clients, Brown says, there’s a real fear of, “Oh, you’re the expert who’s going to tell us everything we’re doing wrong.”
Mar 5, 2024 · Accountants enjoy steady demand, and this evolving field is only becoming more competitive to enter. Read on to learn the top accounting skills you’ll need to succeed in this field.
- Meghan Gallagher
Mar 23, 2021 · From an eagerness to keep learning to being an effective communicator, we look at five qualities that make a good accountant.
Dec 20, 2023 · Accountants with certain core competencies can help company leaders make important financial decisions related to their business. Successful accountants can also forecast trends based on a company's historical data to help guide their business's future financial path.
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related to: What makes a good accountant?9.0/10 (6771 reviews)
1-800 Accountant is a team of accountants, bookkeepers & small business tax experts. Our suite of services can save you $12,000 or more on your taxes. Schedule a call today.
