3 Major Reasons to Update Your Accounting Skills Today

How good an accountant are you? Would your boss rehire you for your current position? If you’re job searching, do you have the skills to get hired? Many accountants miss out on opportunities not because of a lack of qualifications but due to not possessing the skills employers seek. This makes accounting a saturated profession, requiring more than just a CPA to stand out.

Here are Major Reasons to Update Your Accounting Skills:

1. Difficulty Finding a Job

Do you have a CPA and an accounting degree but still get no responses to job applications? Employers may be looking for specific skills you either lack or fail to highlight on your CV. Consider these job descriptions for entry-level accounting jobs:

• Job 1:
  • Diploma in Business Management/Accounting or related fields
  • CPA(K) holder
  • At least 2 years of accounting experience
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office and accounting software like Pastel, Sage, and QuickBooks
• Hotel Accountant Job:
  • Degree in Accounting or Finance
  • CPA(K) is an added advantage
  • 2-3 years of accounting experience in a hotel or resort
  • Proficiency in hotel operating and accounting systems; Microsoft Office Excel, Word, and Outlook
  • Experience in payroll processing

Even with a degree and CPA, without experience in payroll or the listed software, you may not be shortlisted. As more people pursue CPAs, employers’ expectations have shifted. To stand out, you need more than just a degree and a CPA. Updating your skills, such as through advanced Excel training, can make a significant difference.

2. Saturation in the Accounting Field

Decades ago, accounting was a secure career choice, guaranteeing a good job and paycheck. Today, with many students entering the field and technological advancements automating accounting functions, the profession has become saturated. According to Godfrey Wakoli, a recruitment manager at Corporate Staffing Services, job applications for a single accounting position can reach up to six hundred, with most applicants equally qualified.

3. What Does This Mean For You As An Accounting Professional?

To succeed and secure a well-paying job, your CV needs to stand out. This means offering more to employers than other candidates. One of the major reasons to update your accounting skills is to remain competitive in the job market. The accounting profession may be saturated, but the need for accountants will persist so keep updating your skills to remain competitive in the ever-evolving accounting profession.

So, Consider signing up for practical accounting skills courses to enhance your employability here.