What characteristics do accountants have?
They are as varied as the people who do the job, so it is hard to generalise. If you want to generalise you could say there are three types of accountant – those who can count and those who can’t. But seriously, accountancy is a demanding yet rewarding profession. Accountants must enjoy working in a numerate environment and have a good working knowledge of accounting information. They should have an inquiring, analytical mind and be able to work logically, consistently and accurately even when under pressure. They need to be self-motivated individuals with the ability to manage their time efficiently. Accountants need management skills as well as knowledge of the general economic environment in which they operate. They need to keep themselves up-to-date with the regular changes in financial rules and regulations and have the ability to quickly recognise the implications of such changes on their employers’ or clients’ affairs. Accountants work with people from all walks of life and ther
