Career success in accounting today requires more than just an ability to
manage numbers. It also means working well with colleagues, according to a
recent survey. Thirty-eight percent of chief financial officers (CFOs)
polled said a positive attitude is the most valued interpersonal skill in
accounting candidates; 30 percent of respondents felt being a team player is
most important.
The survey was developed by Accountemps, the world's first and largest
temporary staffing service for accounting, finance and bookkeeping
professionals. It was conducted by an independent research firm and includes
responses from 1,400 CFOs from a stratified random sample of companies with
more than 20 employees.
CFOs were asked, "Which of the following interpersonal skills is most valued
in accounting candidates today?" Their responses:
- Positive attitude 38%
- Team player skills 30%
- Verbal communication 16%
- Written communication 8%
- Sense of humor 1%
- Other 2%
- Don't know/no answer 5%
"Businesses seek accounting candidates with a demonstrated eagerness to
assume responsibilities that fall outside of their traditional financial
reporting role, such as becoming involved in information technology
initiatives and long-term strategic planning," said Max Messmer, chairman of
Accountemps. "Enthusiasm is also an important ingredient in managing and
motivating others, and is particularly valuable in a high employment
environment where staff retention is critical."
The ability to collaborate with individuals who may not have accounting
backgrounds is also key as financial professionals play more active roles on
interdepartmental project teams, Messmer added.
-- Article courtesy of Accountemps, which has more than 250 offices in North
America, Europe and Australia, and offers online job search services.
