What Successful Accountants Do Differently
Anyone who achieves a professional qualification in accountancy obviously has a lot of potential. At the same time there is often a marked difference between what some achieve compared to others.
In this article I share my thoughts on what those accountants who successfully climb the career ladder and fulfil their professional potential do differently.
Know Where They Are Heading
We all know that professional people are never in the position of having too much time and too little to do. As a result making the time to think about where you are heading in your career is often difficult. At the same time if you don’t make it a priority no one else will.
Get A Breadth Of Experience
Your expertise in your professional field is almost taken for granted. What really helps you to move on your career is a broader base of business skills or experience. This can often be achieved through project work or a secondment.
Make Smart Job Moves
There is little point in changing jobs just to do more of the same. You have to be willing to make job moves that build on what you have done. Of course you will always have to be able to do a core of the job on day one but you also want plenty scope for growth.
Build Their Network
The job market and how people are found for roles is changing. These days you are just as likely to secure a move through your network online or offline as you are through the traditional routes.
Learn How To Lead and Manage
Whether it is fair or not the reality is that as you progress in your career you will be expected to lead and manage. You can leave it to chance and hope you will just pick it up or alternatively you can be proactive and build these skills.
Develop Their Interpersonal Skills
So much of your success comes down to relationships. Usually that means being able to get along with a range of different people, understand different perspectives, communicate effectively, among other things.
The Bottom Line: Your career success is never guaranteed but you can set yourself up to have a greater chance of success.
Duncan Brodie helps accountants achieve more career success. He invites you to sign up for his free career audio masterclass
About the Author Duncan Brodie
Since 2006 I’ve worked with in excess of 8,000 accountants and professionals in workshops, seminars and one to one helping them land their next jobs and become better leaders, presenters and business partners. Before that I spent 25 years in accountancy climbing the career ladder from Payments Clerk to FD. I’m a CIMA Fellow, Certified Professional Coach and Team Coach Facilitator.