It also includes soft skills such as attention to detail, critical thinking and problem-solving. Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner (BSN-to-MSN Program) – M.S. Beyond the hard and soft skills that accountants need, there are technical elements and accomplishments that are required for accountants to be successful. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site. Business knowledge. They include hard skills such as understanding generally accepted accounting principles, mathematical comprehension and data analysis. Analytical and strategy skills Accountants are not just expected to crunch numbers anymore — they're expected to know how to analyze and communicate them to colleagues who may not understand accounting language. The role also requires strong interpersonal skills — many accountants work on teams and meet with clients on a regular basis. Accountants need leadership abilities as they work with clients, move to management, and contribute in a professional way to their organization. We sought advice from three accounting experts to identify some of the top skills professionals in this field need to succeed. Quickbooks. Hard skills and soft skills are both necessary to find career success. Science Education (Secondary Physics) – B.S. Our focus on your success starts with our focus on four high-demand fields: K–12 teaching and education, nursing and healthcare, information technology, and business. These soft skills are the basic skills everyone needs to communicate, interact, and perform well inside their job functions. Every degree program at WGU is tied to a high-growth, highly rewarding career path. Read More: Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills. Explore programs of your interests with the high-quality standards and flexibility you need to take your career to the next level. However, he explains that prospective accountants should hone their organizational skills prior to entering the profession. These hard and soft skills are vital to helping you find success in your dream accounting job. All Rights Reserved. Hard skills include specialized knowledge and technical abilities, such as software development, tax accounting, or patent law expertise. Your ideal hire will need great interpersonal skills and some general knowledge about the business world, too. Nursing – Nursing Informatics (RN-to-MSN Program) – M.S. There are three main types of accountants; tax accountants, auditors, and industry accountants. The ability to multitask and effectively manage one’s time ensures accountants can meet deadlines and provide satisfactory results for their clients. “One of the most important skills the best accountants possess is the ability to transform numbers, charts, and tables into a story the average person can understand,” he says. If you’re hoping to be a tax accountant, it’s smart to list the kinds of taxes you’ve done on your accounting resume so you can demonstrate your understanding of tax laws and codes to potential employers or clients. While they’re not directly tied to accounting, they are vital for success in the accounting industry as well as every other profession. The fundamentals of business from finances to marketing, strategy and law, are all vital for your career success. “Being a team player and learning from others is a must in the accounting world,” Bryant says. Microsoft Excel. Businesses and individuals prefer to entrust their finances to qualified professionals with high ethical standards. Accountants must sift through hefty financial records to ensure every detail is accurate and current. Hard skills include specialized knowledge and technical abilities, such as software development, tax accounting… Many accountants work on multiple projects at once. Managing vendor accounts. Of all the important things you’ll learn in your degree program there are a few you should absolutely be putting on your resume and cover letter to help you stand out from the competition. This is all part of critical thinking. “As an accountant, you will likely have many writing tasks to do on a daily basis,” Allec says. Leadership. Data analysis software. Business Administration, Information Technology Management – B.S. Being strategically minded and possessing the ability to deliver data-driven … Soft skills are the more general skills you need in any kind of job. On your resume it’s smart to list that you have direct experience in working with vendor contracts, tax documentation, and invoices. Want to see all the degrees WGU has to offer? Soft skills are those rudimentary ingredients that make someone with finance expertise competent enough to face the challenges of modern day accounting. Bryant agrees that time management is essential for successful accounting careers. You need to be able to think for yourself, analyze situations, and look at all the angles before you make a decision. Critical thinking is vital for anyone in the workforce. Science Education (Secondary Chemistry) – B.S. Accounting.com is an advertising-supported site. Being technologically proficient enough to be part of messaging systems and calls is vital for an ever-growing, technological workforce. Accounting work requires a meticulous, detail-oriented eye. The specifics of your situation or personal preference will determine the best approach for you. Throughout your accounting career, you need to exhibit both soft and hard skills. Logan Allec is a CPA who holds a master’s degree in taxation from the University of Southern California. Accounting soft skills like communication or critical thinking can take average and competent accountants and transform them into stellar performers. Business Administration. Handling payroll. Nearly every organization utilizes team messaging and conferencing to talk to clients and other workers around the world. Working with bankers, insurers, and solicitors. Accountants are no exception; they need soft skills to be successful in their unique … For basic bookkeeper positions you can likely get by without higher education, but for accounting and business positions, the additional knowledge you get from a degree is vital to your success. Listing data analysis software on your resume will show to potential employers that you’re prepared to handle the different software systems they utilize. You can use your resume to demonstrate that you have experience making budgets and you understand the financial practices to keep a budget on track. Customer service. View all degrees. WGU can help you learn all of these relevant skills, and prepare you for whatever avenue of accounting you choose to pursue. Tax understanding. Today’s accountants rely on a variety of software programs to complete different tasks. Accountants are in charge of making sure that everyone in your organization gets paid, from helping to set budgets to signing the actual checks. “The best way to stay on top of deadlines is by getting organized,” says Logan Allec, who works as a CPA. With this in mind, we aggregate what we believe to be the six... Let us know what type of degree you're looking into, and we'll find a list of the best programs to get you there. There are specific software systems that most accountants have to use at one time or another, and knowledge in these areas is key to landing a job. “Great accountants look at the output and judge whether it is reasonable, so as not to waste everyone’s time on an analysis that makes no sense when you take a step back and look at it from a common sense standpoint.”, Accountants must be highly organized in order to juggle multiple clients, meet deadlines, and follow proper reporting guidelines. Written and verbal communication skills. Special Education (Mild-to-Moderate) – B.A. These soft skills are the basic skills everyone needs to communicate, interact, and perform well inside their job functions. Endorsement Preparation, English Language Learning (PreK-12). Currently self-employed, he has previously worked for Big 4 and local firms. Industry accountants work in public or private sectors for individual companies handling their overall finances.