A career in accounting, payroll, and tax would be a great fit for you if you have strong math skills, are comfortable working with computers, and enjoy working in a business setting. But it takes more than these fundamental skills to excel in a college program and land a job with a reputable company.

 In this article, you will learn about the essential skills that employers today look for in accounting, payroll, and taxes.

Accounting Applications

This is a self-evident (but crucial) skill for accounting and payroll professionals. There are numerous software programs available, including QuickBooks, FreshBooks, Sage, and Simply Accounting, and the more you learn, the better!

 Each organization has its own preferences, so training programs typically focus on teaching one or two of the most popular tools. Once you gain experience with one program, it's fairly simple to transfer these skills to another.

Compliance & Legislation

The laws that govern payroll are constantly changing. The minimum wage, tax filings, and how workers are classified as part-time and full-time workers depend on the legislation and the political party in power.

 It is essential that you understand and keep up to date on changing regulations in order to be recruited in this sector. This information is required to calculate holiday pay, overtime, sick leave, income tax, bonuses, employee benefits, and pensions accurately.

Attention to Detail & Organization

Being well-organized is a must-have skill for anyone just getting started in accounting and payroll. Payroll schedules, new legislation, accounting receipts, cash flow, tax deadlines, and a slew of other details must all be tracked.

 You will need to organize your time carefully so that you stay on track and accomplish your tasks on time, but also make sure you pay attention to details to ensure you don't make any mistakes as you rush to meet deadlines.

Problem-Solving Skills

If the accounts do not balance at the end of the month, it is your responsibility to figure out why and resolve the problem. And if you compute an employee's wages improperly, you'll need to figure out where your numbers went wrong and correct the situation as soon as possible.

 Even the most experienced accounting and payroll professionals make errors sometimes. What matters is your ability to analyze data, identify the source of the problem, and devise a solution.

Microsoft Office Knowledge

Getting a job in payroll and accounting requires you to know your way around the Microsoft Office suite, which means knowing much more than how to format a Word document or create a PowerPoint presentation.

 We're talking about being completely at ease with Excel, Word, Outlook, and Access. You must understand how to use these tools to create spreadsheets and reports, schedule appointments, manage databases, and analyze data.

 If you are interested in a career in Accounting, Payroll, and Taxes and want to learn more about the various skills required for a job in this field, then check out Computek College's diploma program in Accounting, Payroll, and Taxes. For more information, contact us at 416-321-9911 or visit our website.