They are some of the best-paid jobs to be found in finance and on s1jobs. Accountancy really is the cream of the crop, offering big rewards and the satisfaction of knowing you’re doing something worthwhile for individuals and entire businesses.
But getting yourself job-ready takes hard work and dedication.
This isn’t a path for anyone with the Monday morning mindset of Eeyore.
It involves commitment, effort and a long haul from starting out to getting to the top.
Are you made of the right stuff?
Suzanne McCallum, Senior Teacher at the University of Glasgow Adam Smith Business School, sets the record straight on the top skills and qualities you’ll need to get started . . . and keep on track.
Communication
Accounting is the language of business and you not only have to understand it but be able to translate what the figures tell you into words that less financially aware colleagues can understand.
Students are often taken aback when we ask them to write essays but an ability to communicate is essential in order to do the job.
Analytical thinking
You have to be able to look at the figures and understand the information contained within them.
Judgement
Understanding the figures is one thing, interpreting what they mean is another. That involves sound judgement.
Moral compass
Make good decisions and take responsibility for them. You cannot mislead people.
Work ethic
It takes four years to gain a degree and a further three years of study to gain Chartered Accountant status. That takes commitment.
News radar
Brexit, the US elections, melting glaciers in the Arctic – all these events and more have an impact on the global economy and you have to be aware of them.
You can’t bury yourself in a back office and ignore what is going on in the world. It is your job to be well-informed.
So what are the rewards for all this effort? Suzanne says: “You’ll have the foundations in place for an exciting and rewarding career. It isn’t just accountancy firms that take on graduates. All kinds of businesses are looking for people with this level of financial acumen.
“Ninety six per cent of our students have a job within six months of graduating – one of the highest employment figures for any course.
“And remember: accountancy isn’t a dull choice. Graduates become entrepreneurs, business leaders and international executives, working all around the world.”
For the best jobs in Accountancy visit s1jobs