3 answers
Nicoleta
Student
Deerfield Beach, Florida
1
Question
Asked
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What will make me a successful accountant?
What should I do in order to become a successful accountant?
What are the top things an accountant is doing every day in order to succeed?
What things should I focus on while studying in college for my degree in #Accounting?
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3 answers
Marie Kling
Partner at PwC
5
Answers
Florham Park, New Jersey
Updated
Marie’s Answer
It is good to focus on your analytical skills, an accountant needs to understand where the numbers are coming from, analyze trends between different periods and review the consistency of the financial information. A successful accountant also need to understand the overall business environment a company operates in, rather than only focusing on the numbers. While in college, make sure you understand the concepts behind the accounting principles, rather than just learning the rules. It is important to understand why transactions are accounted for in a specific way so that the accounting ultimately reflects the economics.
Erin Sherk
Assurance Associate at PwC
5
Answers
Raleigh, North Carolina
Updated
Erin’s Answer
Hi Nicoleta,
I think one thing that many people overlook when it comes to accounting is the communication aspect of the field. Accounting was once described to me as "the language of business" and I could not agree with that statement more. Whether you decide to go into public or private accounting, chances are you will have to explain the technical accounting work you have done to someone who does not understand. I recommend taking a writing class in college to help strengthen this area.
I think one thing that many people overlook when it comes to accounting is the communication aspect of the field. Accounting was once described to me as "the language of business" and I could not agree with that statement more. Whether you decide to go into public or private accounting, chances are you will have to explain the technical accounting work you have done to someone who does not understand. I recommend taking a writing class in college to help strengthen this area.
Logan Mitchell
Senior Manager - National Quality Organization - SEC Services at PwC
4
Answers
Florham Park, New Jersey
Updated
Logan’s Answer
Hi Nicoleta -
Thanks for the question.
I think the first thing to consider is how you (personally) define as success. If you're referring to advancing in your organization and eventually becoming a partner (at a public accounting firm) or the CFO (at a private corporation) which is what some consider success, I think there are three components:
1) Hard work - can't get around it. No matter how high your natural accumen for the profession, it takes hard work. You're only as good as your experience and in order to maximize your experience it takes hard work.
2) Take risks - the only way to stand out and become valuable to your clients and/or organization is to do/understand things others don't. The way you do that is to get out of your comfort zone and try new things as much as you possibly can. It may be more work (see 1) above), but your chances of success will be quite high.
Logan
Thanks for the question.
I think the first thing to consider is how you (personally) define as success. If you're referring to advancing in your organization and eventually becoming a partner (at a public accounting firm) or the CFO (at a private corporation) which is what some consider success, I think there are three components:
1) Hard work - can't get around it. No matter how high your natural accumen for the profession, it takes hard work. You're only as good as your experience and in order to maximize your experience it takes hard work.
2) Take risks - the only way to stand out and become valuable to your clients and/or organization is to do/understand things others don't. The way you do that is to get out of your comfort zone and try new things as much as you possibly can. It may be more work (see 1) above), but your chances of success will be quite high.
Logan