Which specific skill-sets do CPAs need for success tomorrow (think both hard and soft skills)?
Hisey: They need to have good client-facing skills and to be solutions-oriented in their approach. Hudson: Historically, a CPA’s rise in an organization has been a function of their detailed technical and analytical skills. These are always important but not to the exclusion of seeing the big picture. Successful CPAs in the future need to seamlessly integrate their detailed technical/analytical skills with their more strategic and conceptual skills. Probert: As the SEC moves towards adopting IFRS, CPAs will need to develop strong skills in these standards. This will require an education that provides a mastery of the international standards as well as a strong understanding of the appropriate implementation procedures. Vucinic: However, many individuals entering the profession underestimate the importance of soft skills. An effective CPA needs to work well with clients, team members, supervisors and must, therefore, have excellent presentation, communication, and team-building skills.
