If you’re involved in the field of finance and accounting, the concept of professionalism goes beyond doing your job as an accountant—although that is definitely part of the requirement. What often separates a good accountant from an excellent one are the latter’s practice of skills and work ethic that go beyond crunching the numbers.
For many companies in need of experts in accounting, hiring just anyone with the know-how is not enough. Employers value not only technical proficiency, but also the ability to stay organized, manage time effectively, and communicate well with clients and team members, among other things.
To that end, here are some essential ways to demonstrate better professionalism as an accountant, focusing on practical tips you can apply in your daily work:
1) Improve Your Organizational Skills
Organizational ability is a core one in the practice of accounting. Accountants handle vast amounts of data, huge volumes of documents, and very tight deadlines. Being organized about both the company’s figures and the little things results in fewer errors and better productivity overall, which are critical for delivering accurate financial reports and meeting deadlines on time. Always remember that the mark of a credible accountant is an organized system for doing their work.
Learn how to use accounting software like QuickBooks or Xero to manage client accounts and transactions more efficiently than you would if you were doing things by hand. You should also develop a clear filing system for both physical and digital documents and properly label folders by date, client, or transaction type. These will allow you to retrieve necessary documents as quickly as possible, ensuring timely and accurate submissions. This will be especially critical during busy seasons that rely even more on your efficiency and preparedness.
2) Strengthen Your Time Management Skills
Accountants typically juggle multiple deadlines and responsibilities; it’s simply part and parcel of the trade. No matter how many years you’ve been an accountant, there are always opportunities to improve upon your ability to deliver high-quality work under pressure. Accountants who can manage their schedules, meet strict deadlines, and avoid last-minute rushes are highly valued in the industry since they give employers greater peace of mind during hectic periods.
Practice planning your day by creating daily to-do lists or using scheduling tools like Google Calendar to help you stay on track of basic accounting tasks. You can also utilize time-blocking to allocate specific time slots for focused work on tasks, like auditing or reconciling accounts, for more effective time management. If you’re the type to feel easily overwhelmed by the magnitude of a project, break big tasks down into smaller, more manageable steps. This can do a lot to help you budget your time and ensure that nothing falls through the cracks.
3) Work on Your Soft Skills
Soft skills, also called people skills or emotional intelligence, are essential for workplace success in any field, and the numbers-driven profession of accounting is no exception. Your technical skills may get you the job, but your soft skills are what will help you excel in your role. After all, being an accountant requires interacting with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders, which requires strong interpersonal abilities.
Your communication skills, for example, will be crucial in explaining complex financial data in layman’s terms and building trust and credibility among colleagues and clients. Use concise statements and jargon-free language to explain these financial concepts clearly and, whenever someone comes to you for help—especially if they’re not as well-versed in the numbers as you are—commit to being approachable and empathetic. If ever conflict arises, be sure to address disagreements in a constructive way and maintain a professional demeanor.
Sometimes soft skills come naturally to accountants, but they are learned and practiced just like any other skill. Take the opportunity to work on your soft skills by attending communication and leadership workshops, or other events that could give you the chance to improve your interpersonal skills.
4) Stay Updated on the Latest Accounting Industry Trends and Tools
Accounting standards, regulations, and tools evolve constantly. Your effort to stay updated shows commitment and due diligence on your part, while also giving you a competitive edge in an increasingly tech-driven discipline.
Familiarity with the latest industry trends and tools will allow you to roll out innovative solutions and lead your team in compliance with current regulations. If you’re based in the Philippines, keep up to date by attending Continuing Professional Development (CPD) seminars to refresh your knowledge.
Online courses will serve as a good way to learn about new software or trends like digital accounting and blockchain. Also be sure to subscribe to accounting blogs, newsletters, or webinars to stay informed about industry news.
If you want to improve your chances of getting promoted or securing the most competitive career opportunities, make it a point to continuously develop your technical skills by mastering solutions like SAP or Oracle. Your mastery of accounting and enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions will allow you to stand out as a consummate professional in your field and enjoy good opportunities in both local and international job markets.
5) Demonstrate Ethical Integrity
Accountants often handle sensitive financial data, making integrity a non-negotiable trait. Along with professionalism, ethical behavior will inspire trust among the people you work with and safeguard your reputation in the industry.
Observe the guidelines set by regulatory bodies like the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) to maintain ethical standards in your work, and commit to upholding transparency through clear and honest reporting of financial information. Lastly, where it applies, maintain independence in order to avoid conflicts of interest when auditing or advising clients.
When faced with challenging scenarios (such as being pressured to manipulate financial data), always prioritize ethics over personal gain. Your integrity should be at the core of your professional career as an accountant, no matter what type of company you work with.
6) Invest in Continuous Learning
In a rapidly changing field such as accounting, continuous learning is essential for career growth. Upskilling will allow you to adapt to new challenges and stay relevant in the discipline. Employers appreciate accountants who take the initiative to expand their expertise and improve their value to the organization.
Advanced credentials like Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), or Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) can all increase your value as an accounting professional. You can also explore training in specific areas like forensic accounting, taxation, or auditing to expand your expertise.
Professionalism is a journey of continuous improvement for anyone in a career involving accounting and finance, and you will never regret learning it and putting it into practice. Take inspiration from the tips above to excel as an accountant, and stand out as someone very promising among their peers.
