The Top 5 Key Skills You Need To Succeed In An Accounting Job

How good an Accountant are you? If your boss was hiring for your current position, do you think they would rehire you for doing a good job? And if you are currently job searching, do you think you have the right skills to get hired in the job you are applying for? Do you, really and truly, believe you are well qualified?

Don’t say yes just yet. Take a moment to think through those questions and understand what I am asking of you? Most job seekers miss out on great opportunities, not because they don’t have the qualifications needed, but because they can’t communicate their skills effectively.

For instance, you probably hold a Degree in Accounting and CPA K. While these qualifications make you an Accountant in Kenya, they are not enough to get you a job as an Accountant. You will need to also demonstrate your expertise by highlighting the most important skills you possess as required in that position. And for Accountants, you will need both soft and technical skills. Below is a deeper discussion.

Related: Common Questions & Answers For Accounting Jobs 

Top 5 Key Skills You Need to Succeed in an Accounting Job

1. Analytical Skills

You are not a qualified Accountant if you are not able to analyze figures and numbers, which is what Analytical Skills refer to. You probably already know this if you are in this profession. But the question is; does your CV include and explain this particular skill?

Recruiters want to know that you understand the most critical skill needed to perform your duties and responsibilities as an Accountant. So don’t just list Analytical skills and stop at that, expecting the recruiter to pick up on your expertise.

Mention how you gained this skill and how your past experience has moulded you into an expert who can easily read, interpret and compare any data and propose recommendations based on results. This can be done in a sentence or two.

2. ICT Competence

Again, this is a very critical skill for Accountants. It might sound too cliché for you when writing your CV and probably wonder why you need to include it, but don’t leave it out. Cliché or not, IT knowledge should be listed among the top skills on your CV and should not be forgotten during the interview.

Remember as an Accountant, you will need to use different computer software in your daily tasks. Assuming that this information is obvious to recruiters will not help your case. List the IT skill on your CV, then adjacent to it; include the specific application and software you are familiar with.

3. Innovation Capacity

Do you consider yourself an innovator? When was a time you introduced new software or proposed a change of systems in an organization to improve on output? Employers want to work with employees who are quick in thought and creative enough to come up with easier and more effective ways of performing tasks.

This to mean, even as an Accountant, innovation skills are very important and could help you stand out among other suitably qualified candidates.

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