SKILLS NEEDED FOR A
CAREER IN ACCOUNTING

CONTENTS:
• Skills needed for accounting.
• Overview of the different areas in
accounting
– Public, Managerial, Government and Internal Auditing

SKILLS NEEDED
FOR ACCOUNTING
http://www.accountingskills.com/images/accounting/accounting_250x251.jpg

Analytical Skills
• According to Merriam-Websters dictionary Analytical means “relating to or
using analysis or logical reasoning to solve a problem.” (merriam-websters,
2009)
• Analytical skills  ability to visualize, and solve complicated problems and
make a accurate and informed decision. (wikipedia.com, 2009)
(http://www.paktecha.com/images/Open-Mind.jpg)

Communication Skills
• Defined as the skills that allow
people to communicate with
each other
– Can be verbal, written or non
verbal
– The effectiveness of a persons
communication skills also
depends on how knowledgeable
they are about choosing the
best type of communication
channel
– Communication skills in
accounting is the ability to
communicate findings about
financial statements with
subordinates, superiors and
colleagues through the use of
business writing formats such
as letters, memos and reports
(http://science.uniserve.edu.au/projects/skills/jantrial/images/communication_ski
(Business dictionary, 2009) lls_graded.jpg)

Computer Skills
• The ability to use basic computer functions such as word processing,
spread sheet and database software to produce and record information
• In accounting computer skills is important because the use of software
programs to produce and record accounting information is increasing
(computer skills, 2004)
(http://elmo.shore.ctc.edu/callab/images/computer_skills.gif)

Leadership Skills
• Ability to motivate and lead
people to accomplish certain
goals and objectives
• In accounting its important
because a lot of work is done
in teams and in order to meet
deadlines you have to have
the ability to lead the team
members into achieving their
goals. (Leadership, 2009)
http://www.integrolearning.com.au/images/ph%205.jpg

Teamwork Skills
• People with different abilities and skills work together in groups in
order to accomplish a similar goal.
• Teamwork is used a lot in the field of accounting in order to complete
tasks, evaluate clients, and report/analyze financial statements. (
Teamwork, 2009)
(https://www.bbsglobal-diamond-elite.com/images/team-work.gif)

Areas of accounting
- Public Accounting
- Clients corporations, governments, nonprofit organizations, or
individuals
- Work responsibilities accounting, auditing, tax, and consulting
activities
- Most are CPA authorized
- Employment  their own firms, or public accounting firms
- Managerial Accountants
- Known as  cost, private or industrial accountants
- Work responsibilities  Have to report and analyze the financial
records of the organizations they work for. In addition they have
to budget, performance evaluation, cost management, and asset
management.
- Ability to work and be productive in teams is very important.

Areas of accounting con’t
• Government Accountants and Auditors
– Work responsibilities  audit private organizations, analyze the
financial records of government agencies, and analyze and audit
individual financial records that are accountable to government
rules and taxes.
– Employers  Federal, State and local government
• Internal Auditors
– Work responsibilities – ensure the effectiveness an efficiency
of internal control processes, monitor for fraud and
mismanagement of accounts.
– Maintain and review the controls for their computer systems to
ensure the accuracy of the information

References
• Accountants and Auditors. (2007, December 18). United States Department of Labor:
Occupational outlook handbook, 2008-09 edition.Retrieved from
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos001.htm
• Analytic. (2009). In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Retrieved May 4, 2009,
fromhttp://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/analytic
• Business definition for: Communication skills. (2009). BNET Business Dictionary. Retrieved from
http://dictionary.bnet.com/definition/communication+skills.html
• Computer skills. (2004, July 20). University of Washington. Retrieved from
http://www.washington.edu/students/ugrad/advising/advcomp.html
• Leadership. (2009). About.com: Management . Retrieved
fromhttp://management.about.com/od/leadership/Leadership.htm
• Team Work. (2009). BBS Global: Diamond Elite . Retrieved fromhttps://www.bbsglobal-diamond-
elite.com/products-teamwork.php