What Are The Skills of An Accountant

The business world is growing in all cities. Every day, thousands of businesses of all sizes, offering all types of products and services, open their doors to attract new potential customers and thus be able to grow. From gas stations or airports to clinical analysis laboratories and restaurants, practically every business you can imagine has something in common, and that is that they all require the skills of an accountant to be able to properly control taxes and finances.

Experts in public accounting can be classified as business people, as they have the necessary knowledge to plan future strategies in the face of any economic and administrative crisis that may arise within a company. Many people tend to have the image of an accountant as someone who spends the day behind their desk, but, today, the role of accountants has a large number of possibilities within companies.

What is an accountant

Accountants are essential figures in successful companies. They are responsible for analyzing all the financial information of a business in order to measure the results that are to be achieved and analyze the scope of the strategies that are being implemented. Equally important is the role of the accountant so that companies are up to date with the payment of their taxes and any other tax obligations.

Decision making is crucial for any business, especially when these decisions could represent a financial loss, and accountants have the critical data and knowledge to help management make informed and sound decisions. Thanks to the skills of an accountant, companies can keep adequate control of their resources and their situation with the Public Treasury.

Functions of an accountant

If we take into account the high demand that public accountants have in all productive and business sectors, both public and private, the work alternatives for these professionals are practically unlimited. However, regardless of the type or size of the business, the duties of accountants are usually the same. Below, we mention some of the most common tasks of an accountant.

• Ensure compliance with the tax obligations of a natural or legal person.
• Interpret, create and analyze financial statements.
• Implement a system for recording financial operations.
• Prepare an analysis of profits and expenses.
• Prepare financial budgets for a legal entity.
• Carry out a calculation of social benefits.
• Organize and carry out staff payroll.
• Write reports about the financial status of a company and analyze them with management.
• Carry out audits to verify that there are no capital leaks.

Skills of an accountant

The job of an accountant comes with a lot of responsibility, not only to help make a business successful and generate financial profit, but also to ensure that all tax and personnel obligations of the business are being met. For this, it is necessary to have the necessary studies, as well as certain qualities and skills that the profession requires, such as a taste for numbers. Below we mention some of the most important skills for an accountant.

Capacity for teamwork

In companies that have an accounting department, the work of accountants always goes hand in hand with collaboration with other people; for example, to collect all the information that they will later have to analyze. Accountants are normally in contact with other departments, such as Collections or Finance, since they have information of great importance and relevance to the accountant’s work.

Analysis capacity

This is a quality of great importance for the career of an accountant, as they will be able to process information in a way that allows them to make better decisions and thus obtain better results. With a rational analysis, an accountant will be able to make a diagnosis of a company’s accounting situation and then translate it into a report that is easy to understand.

Work ethics

An accountant must conduct their work in an ethical , transparent and objective manner at all times. Accountants must know the financial situation of the company they work for and this information must always be treated in a sensitive and responsible manner.

Creativity

Although the accounting department is usually known to carry out a series of steps and procedures to the letter, this is not always the case. On many occasions, an accountant is looking for different solutions to solve various problems and thus achieve greater work efficiency.

Proactivity

An accountant should never be passive in their work. When someone hires an accountant it is generally because this person needs the help of their experience, so it is important for an accountant to take a proactive attitude and be able to prepare in advance and deal with any problems that may arise.

Studies and certification for accountants

The Accounting career has a lot to do with handling numbers, calculations, operations, taxes and laws. Likewise, the skills that future professionals must develop will depend on changes and technological advances, as well as new educational models. In Mexico, to be an accountant, you must complete a university degree that usually lasts between four and five years to obtain a degree in Public Accounting.

Once you complete your studies and obtain your accounting degree, you will be able to practice professionally; However, obtaining a certification can help you obtain a better salary or position. The Mexican Institute of Public Accountants, or IMCP, is the highest institution that represents the Accounting career and that, through an exam, endorses the professionalism of those who have this certificate.

In order to take this exam, there are some essential requirements, such as having a professional license and a minimum of three years of professional practice as an accountant . In the globalized world in which we live today, the advantages of having a certification can be significant, since, among other things, you will be able to practice your profession as an accountant in the United States and Canada, thanks to the free trade agreement that exists between Mexico and its North American neighbors.

Note: None of the companies, institutions or organizations mentioned in this article are affiliated with Indeed.

Job opportunities for an accountant

The job of an accountant can be very challenging and satisfying at the same time. You must have the ability to solve different problems, and you will have the opportunity to help companies or people who require your services to maintain healthy and orderly finances. The options to develop as an accountant are many and the field you choose will depend on your preferences and professional objectives .

Below, we mention some of the job alternatives for a public accountant .

1. Independent professional: as in many other professions, the possibility of establishing your own business is very attractive for an accountant. There are different groups and associations of public accountants, through which you can access a client database and which you can access if you have your own professional practice.
2. Different corporations: the most renowned companies, both national and international, have accounting departments that are in charge of preparing financial statements, paying taxes and creating different strategies to help achieve maximum efficiency.
3. Social sector: the increase in the number of nonprofit associations has generated new job opportunities for many professionals, including accountants.
4. Government agencies: there are all types of government agencies, whether local, state or federal, that have accounting departments that help with the administration and management of public finances.
5. Teaching: if you are passionate about accounting and want to help train future accountants, teaching may be an alternative for you. Public and private universities throughout the country require academics for their careers in Public Accounting.

The job of an accountant can be very interesting. This profession is a very dynamic one and public accountants must be up to date with policy changes that may positively or negatively affect their clients. If you like numbers, have accounting skills, and are interested in learning about laws and tax calculations, we encourage you to consider a career in Accounting.