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May 30, 2025
Accountancy is no longer seen as a dusty or tired position. The image of the accountant is changing, and the role is changing with it. The accountant position is becoming more front-and-centre, taking on an advisory role within organisations to help them to become more efficient.
Technology is reducing the time spent on repetitive tasks and freeing up time for strategy and planning. So the outdated image of the reclusive accountant getting lost in the spreadsheets is being slowly replaced by an engaging figure who wants to collaborate with the whole team.
With this in mind, we’re looking at the role of the modern accountant within organisations and what skills they need to succeed. These might be skills you already have and simply need to advertise them more effectively on your CV. Or perhaps you need to explore some training opportunities to ensure you don’t fall behind.
Times may be changing, but employers still want to know that the basics are covered. While technology might be moving along at lightning pace, there still needs to be someone with knowledge of core accounting principles at the helm.
Technology is not there to replace accountants, but rather to streamline their roles and allow them to focus on big picture thinking, rather than spending all of their time on repetitive, menial jobs.
While some might be dead against allowing AI and other machine learning technology into the accounting field, there’s the risk of being left behind if you resist for too long. Rather than fearing that it will replace you, it’s important for accountants to embrace the benefits of AI technology for making processes more efficient and accurate.
When used correctly, AI can help to improve workflows and reduce the risk of costly accounting mistakes. It’s also excellent for spotting patterns and interpreting data. This is not to say that the role of the accountant is obsolete. But AI with human oversight can be an incredible tool for business.
Employers want accountants that can deliver more than just accuracy. They want someone with the analytical skills to go beyond just reporting and deliver insight that can drive growth. Analytical skills will be essential for accountants to hone, allowing them to demonstrate their value to a company, beyond their core role.
Accountants with analytical skills will be in demand as companies look for ways to streamline and capitalise on growth opportunities.
It’s not just the hard technical skills that employers are looking for. Soft skills are also essential to hone. While accountants might deal primarily in numbers, spreadsheets and projections, they need to be able to communicate this information to a less knowledgeable audience.
The skill of being able to make accounting principles understood to those without an accounting background is essential. Accountants might need to brief key decision makers to help them to understand their financial position.
They might also help to train staff members in simple accounting processes or the importance of accurate account keeping. This requires an adaptable style of communication, and excellent listening skills, as they need to be able to confirm if he information is understood.
Employers will often look for signs of a collaborative working style in their accountants. The days of the accountant working in isolation from everyone except for the CFO are done. In the modern workplace, the accountant can be a collaborative force for good, helping to bring together different departments and uniting them under a common goal.
The dreaded question about where you see yourself in five years isn’t just asking about your long-term plans to stick around. It’s an important question to ask for employers who are looking for ambitious employees.
An employee with ambition will not be happy to sit still and let the world pass them by. They will value life-long learning, and won’t miss an opportunity to add to their skills. Employers can see these qualities in their commitment to new training opportunities, both in their professional and personal life.
Technical skills and knowledge are expected, so it’s really about the additional skills and qualities that an accountant can bring to the role. Employers will expect you to have the same knowledge and skills as any other accountant with the same level of training, so you need to think about what you can do to deliver more.
Being willing to embrace new technology is an obvious benefit, while also being upfront about how this technology is supporting you. It’s also essential that you can communicate effectively with a wide range of colleagues – even those with less proficient numeracy skills.
And finally, you need to demonstrate ambition to keep being the best that you can be. Times are changing, and employers want to know that you’ll do whatever it takes to keep their accounting practices at the cutting edge of modern technology.
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