The world is constantly evolving, now more than ever, and your skills need to grow with it. Though accounting professionals are always in high demand, it’s still important to stand out from the competition. In a field that grows as quickly as this one, it’s critical to always strive for improvement and change.   If you’re looking to enjoy a long and rewarding career in accounting, here are five tips you should keep in mind.  

1.   Keep Up with Technology

There’s no escaping the fact that software skills are essential nowadays. Where it once used to be a sign of proficiency, it’s now an expected skill and, often, a minimum requirement. When it comes to accounting-specific software, you need to be able to showcase the ease of use.   To have a more impressive skillset, get up to date with the latest software that business professionals traditionally use. For example, proficiency in cloud-based applications and platforms will show potential employers that you not only have the technical expertise, but also the drive and curiosity to improve yourself as a professional.  

2.   Aim for Specialized Experience

Sector-specific experience is one of the best ways to add value to existing accounting skills. Although there are several skills that can be applied across industries, the current trend shows that employers prefer people who have a background in their industry.   Some high-demand specializations include anti-money laundering (AML), Know Your Customer (KYC), regulatory compliance, and more.  

3.   Improve Your Communication Skills

You may not think accounting has much to do with storytelling, but a good accountant needs to be able to tell the story behind the numbers without relying on jargon and accounting principles. For any accounting role, verbal and written communication skills are a must.   The ability to put the information across in an easily understandable way won’t just show your clients your expertise but also allows you to provide a higher level of service.  

4.   Focus On Leadership

  Leadership skills aren’t just for when you’re looking to grow in an organization—it’s an evergreen skill that will help you in every step of your career. Leadership has changed a lot in the past few decades, particularly in the past couple of years.   The state of leadership now is much more focused on technology, managing virtual teams, adapting to change, mentoring others, and embracing constant learning.  

5.   Grow Your Business Acumen

  The scope of accounting positions has evolved a lot. Collaboration within teams and departments in organizations is growing, so accounting professionals must improve their general business knowledge and expertise in order to create more productive relationships.   Having this knowledge will help you understand your role in a team, your team’s role in an organization, and how best you can improve strategy and make key decisions while keeping the big picture in mind.     Growing your accounting skillset is a great way to not only become indispensable to an organization, but to also improve yourself personally and professionally.   If you’re interested in getting a quality, practical-based learning experience to become a better accounting professional, check out the Accounting and Payroll Diploma Program (APA) and Accounting, Payroll, and Tax Diploma Program (APAT) at Computek College today! Call us at 416-321-9911 to learn more.