FINANCE/ACCOUNTING CAREERS

How to Get Ahead in Accounting and Finance

Whether you’re an internal auditor, tax specialist or financial analyst, getting ahead – and increasing your marketability – requires staying up to date with professional trends. In the quickly evolving fields of accounting and finance, this can seem like a tall order.

Many of the changes for financial professionals stem from corporate governance regulations implemented in the early part of the decade. These have expanded the roles and stature of the profession in a business environment increasingly focused on ethics. Today, the renewed interest in bringing accuracy and transparency back to financial reporting has fueled demand for these practitioners and spurred interest in accounting as a career.

But to succeed, accounting and finance professionals must effectively address complexity in their fields and the need to stay current with emerging trends. In addition to complying with changing regulations, this new environment requires financial professionals to develop their expertise in the following areas:

Build communication skills. As companies increase their use of cross-functional teams to manage special projects, they expect accounting staff to collaborate with individuals from other departments such as information technology, purchasing and marketing. As professionals forge these new relationships, strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential, including the ability to convey complex financial information to non-financial audiences.

Technology expertise is key.  It’s critical to stay up to date on the latest technological innovations in accounting and finance. In addition to learning about new software applications, it’s valuable to develop expertise in such areas as financial systems conversions, and the design and implementation of custom accounting software. You also should make an effort to learn all you can about your company’s financial systems: Being able to maximize the use of new technology not only makes your job easier but also increases your value to your employer.

If you need to learn how to make best use of a new application, consider taking a computer or software class through a university extension program, or participate in a local software users’ group for the product you would like to learn more about. You also may want to investigate programs offered through professional associations, including seminars and publications focused on technology issues.

Consider obtaining a technology-related certification such as the certified information systems auditor (CISA), certified information systems security professional (CISSP) and the certified information technology professional (CITP).

Go global (in perspective). There’s a strong demand for accountants with international business skills. Indeed, organizations are seeking professionals who are not only familiar with global trends, but possess an understanding of accounting principles in other countries. As companies around the world adopt International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), there is expected to be increased pressure on U.S. firms to do the same. Individuals who are fluent in multiple languages have an advantage when pursuing positions at organizations with international operations or overseas clients.

Never stop learning. Continuing to build your professional skills and knowledge is a key way to increase your marketability. How? Businesses actively recruit accountants who’ve taken the initiative to further their education, from obtaining a master’s degree in business administration (MBA) to pursing a certification program such as certified public accountant (CPA) or certified management accountant (CMA). And here’s another bonus to additional education: Our company’s research shows that a graduate degree or professional certification can increase your starting salary in a new job by up to 10 percent.

A final piece of advice: You’ll have a hard time achieving your full potential unless others are aware of your expertise and accomplishments. Pursuing new challenges, such as volunteering to participate on special project teams, will help you steadily build awareness and better position you for future advancement opportunities.

By taking proactive steps to develop a broad skill set, financial professionals will be well positioned for a successful future. Working hard will always be critical to your success, but accountants with strong communication abilities, technology expertise, a global perspective and a lifelong commitment to learning place themselves on the fast track to career advancement.

Founded in 1948, Robert Half Finance & Accounting, a division of Robert Half International Inc., is first and largest specialized financial recruiting service. The company has more than 360 offices worldwide. Search for jobs now or learn more at www.roberthalf.com.