۷ essential soft skills for accountants

In the future, accountants will need a well-rounded skill set to excel in a dynamic industry driven by technology and data. Through soft skill development, accountants can play a proactive role in strategic business discussions, offering insights that go beyond numbers. Soft skills such as teamwork, empathy, and effective communication are essential for working with other departments, translating complex financial concepts for non-experts, and fostering strong client relationships. It may include learning the basics of financial technology, understanding regulatory changes, gaining an intuitive grasp of data analysis, and familiarizing yourself with project management concepts.

Data Literacy

Additionally, it never hurts to have a handy list of skills by your side, making it easier to explore your options. Start your journey toward career success by applying today. We also offer a Master of Accounting (MAcc) degree for those who are ready to take their careers to the next level. Accountants should be proficient in common conferencing tools like Microsoft Teams, lifo reserve and lifo effect Zoom, and Google Meet.

The ability to identify, analyze, and prioritize financial risks is essential for safeguarding organizational stability. For example, AI-driven systems can detect fraudulent activity by analyzing irregularities in transaction data, providing instant alerts for further investigation. Tools like UiPath and Automation Anywhere enable accountants to automate workflows, significantly improving speed and accuracy.

This will make you a standout candidate and support career advancement at any level. For juniors what is form 8941 its a tax credit for small business health insurance costs and seniors navigating a changing job market, being accountable and reliable are essential traits. Mastering this skill enhances leadership presence, builds stronger relationships and drives change effectively.

I recommend obtaining a certification in data analytics. The ability to understand and interpret data can empower professionals to make informed decisions, drive strategic growth and stay competitive. Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. It is helpful to understand this knowledge as fundamental to both accountable innovation and career advancement. This skill is the ultimate future-proofing strategy. One primary skill is the ability to learn.

IT manager skills for resume

In this role, you’ll need the ability to communicate with diverse teams and technical knowledge to help engineers remove roadblocks they encounter that will prevent them from getting their job done. Accountants need to be wizards with reporting and data while maintaining a culture of rigorous organization. A company is only as successful as it can demonstrate through its financial reports. Marketing, product, engineering, and executive teams all rely on data to make the most effective decisions in the face of uncertainty. A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself whether you’d be comfortable being interviewed about a skill. The best way is to look at job ads for positions that grab your attention.

Knowledge-based skills

As a result, it is absolutely essential that skills from the job description make an appearance on your resume. Instead, the best strategy is to take a balanced approach and make sure that your resume contains both hard and soft skills. So, if you’re on the hunt for good skills to put on a resume, here’s what you need to know.

What Technological Skills Do Accountants Need?

The more technology becomes intertwined with business, the more an understanding of the ethical concerns of AI, data and digital tools can help you be unique. As our world is fueled more by AI, professionals can leverage these tools to hone their communication skills, develop clear and concise messages and reach their desired audience. While technical certifications and skills are in high demand globally, the art of strong communication is universally essential for career advancement. Below, 20 of them name specific skills or professional certifications they recommend professionals obtain to better advance their careers. With the job market changing on a regular basis and new technology emerging constantly, knowing which skills will have longevity is harder than ever.

How Do You Choose the Skills to List on a Resume?

Whether one is navigating a global pandemic or an economic downturn, this skill enables leaders to inspire, collaborate and drive progress while advancing career advancement. These skills are crucial, as they enhance interpersonal interactions, leadership and teamwork. In an ever-changing job market, this expertise not only sets you apart but also enhances your strategic influence and career advancement. Mastering these skills helps you back your ideas with solid numbers and drive impactful outcomes. Learn ChatGPT and make it one of your essential software skills, as it’s right up there with the “big three” of PowerPoint, Word and Excel. As experts, the members of Forbes Business Council have experience upskilling and reskilling in response to a changing business world.

What certifications do you need along the forensic accountant career path?

Another way to classify your skills on your resume is by your experience level. For example, you can chunk your soft skills into categories like leadership, customer service, communication, etc. This breakdown of your skills can also work well if soft skills are your biggest strength. While it’s all right to dump all sorts of skills into your resume outline, it’s a big red flag to the hiring manager if they see a resume where an applicant lists 15+ skills.

• Second, a hiring manager would rather hire someone who’s a master of a few skills than a novice in many.
• The technical expertise required to deal with codes, regulations, and professional standards often overshadows the essential soft skills for accountants to really excel in their careers.
• As a result, it is absolutely essential that skills from the job description make an appearance on your resume.
• After all, every job you’re trying to land requires a very specific skill set, one that you need to show that you have.
• Are any of the skills on both of the lists you just created?
• Soft skills are those related to interpersonal and communication abilities.

Hard skills are the skills or abilities for a resume that are easily quantifiable…that can be learned through classroom work, apprenticeships, or other forms of learning. After all, every job you’re trying to land requires a very specific skill set, one that you need to show that you have. The skills section of your résumé provides a crucial opportunity to highlight your qualifications and show employers that you possess the accountant skills needed for the role. If you’re pursuing a career in accounting, it’s important to optimize your accountant résumé so you can make a positive first impression on potential employers.

Blockchain technology offers unparalleled security and transparency in financial transactions, making it a game-changer for accountants. Mastery of SAP FICO enables accountants to track and analyze multinational financial operations while maintaining compliance with international standards. These platforms allow the consolidation of financial data from multiple departments, simplifying the preparation of accurate and comprehensive financial statements. Proficiency in accounting software like QuickBooks, Xero, and Sage is critical for streamlining tasks such as invoice processing, expense tracking, and financial reporting. With the increasing reliance on technology, accountants must also address tech-related hurdles, such as integrating new software with existing systems, making problem-solving an indispensable skill for accountants.

• Becker makes it easy to get the professional development you need and enhance skills that can boost your career.
• A certification in data analytics enhances problem-solving skills, increases value to employers and ensures relevance in a data-driven landscape.
• Highlighting your skills effectively on a resume can make you stand out to employers.
• There may be a bit of overlap between knowledge-based skills and hard skills, depending on the role or industry.

In 2026, the role of accountants will be defined by their ability to adapt to a rapidly evolving business environment. Let’s look at the six most important skills that will help you stay relevant in 2026 and beyond! The accounting world is expected to transform in 2026, driven by key trends such as technology, big data, and an emphasis on green accounting.

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

This is the most transferable skill and one that cannot be replaced by present value index AI. One indispensable skill is strong interpersonal communication. Promoting products and reaching out to potential clients are both quite key to a business’s success. From my career experiences, marketing is quite essential, especially in the B2C sector. Financial literacy is crucial, as being able to interpret finances, data, forecasting and modeling lets you make informed decisions and speak with confidence.

Every executive who wants to advance their career better be investing in AI knowledge, whether that be courses to be more fluent or certifications. You should also know how to create clear financial reports and explain complex ideas in simple terms. Knowing how to use tools like Hootsuite, Buffer, and Canva is a big plus. You should know how to use social media platforms and analyze data. Being organized and managing your time well are key to success in any job. Start using AG5’s plug and play skill matrix software.

AI & Automation Tools

Every job requires a unique skill set, and you want to show you have it. If you’re dealing with a vague job description, you aren’t stuck either. Are any of the skills on both of the lists you just created? In most cases, that’ll give you some solid ideas about your hard skills. As mentioned above, the easiest way to get a grip on your current skills is to reflect on your academic and professional experiences. Many employers want to hire people that can deliver value with fewer resources (ex., the need for training, etc.), making hard skills their priority.

Since the number of potential technical skills an IT manager can have is vast, you must demonstrate a firm command of at least a few skills. IT managers need to possess razor-sharp technical skills while demonstrating the ability to mentor and guide employees under their leadership. You must also clearly understand data and analytics to prove that your campaigns can and will work for a business. As a Scrum Master, it’s vital you demonstrate which project management frameworks you have experience in on your resume.

You’ve got something special when you have both accurate financial data and high EQ. Writing skills are a subset of communication but deserve their own spotlight. Accountants are the bridge between complex financial data and stakeholders who need that information presented clearly and concisely. Soft skills are the traits and abilities people have that support how they work and interact with others. Mastery helps consolidate multi-department data, support global compliance, and speed up financial close.