Soft Skills in the 21st Century: A Key Focus for Accountants
Soft skills are essential for accountants in the 21st century to excel professionally. Prof. Onafowokan O. Oluyombo highlights the importance of communication, interpersonal skills, flexibility, time responsiveness, teamwork, work ethics, and a positive attitude. These skills enhance employability, professional expertise, office culture, and personal growth, making accountants well-rounded and adaptable in the era of automation.
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THE REQUIRED SOFT SKILLS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY ACCOUNTANTS Prof. Onafowokan O. OLUYOMBO B.Sc, M.Sc, MBA, PhD, FCA, ACTI Pan Atlantic University, Lagos +2348034925479 oluyomboo@gmail.com Paper presented at ICAN Webinar on Capacity Development Programme held on Tuesday, April 12, 2022.
Learning objectives To outline and emphasize on the winsome soft-skills required by Professional Accountants. To intimate participants with office management and ethics for excellent performance at work place.
What are soft skills? They are personal skills that enhance good performance. Inter personal skills for quality delivery on assignments. Personal attributes that makes for easy recognition and acceptance by others.
Why soft skills for 21stcentury Accountants?
i. Make you employable as a professional. ii. Make you a complete professional accountant. iii. Make you well rounded and grounded in office culture and ethics. iv. Useful for personal advancement for all round achievements. v. In this era of Robot, soft skill becomes a must.
Required soft skills 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Communication Interpersonal skills Flexibility Time responsiveness Teamwork Work ethics Positive attitude
Communication Simple English, easy to understand verbal and written communications are not to impress anybody. Quality word above quantity is effective. Positive influence in choice of word. Should convey intelligence.
Communication contd. Talk less and listen more. Official email not for personal use. Review email, reports etc before disseminating. Think of your audience and the interpretation given to your word (written or verbal).
Interpersonal Skills Appearance well dressed and presentable. Not unduly aggressive. Persuasion instead of bullying - enhances trust and solidify relationships. Business like but calm and cool.
Interpersonal Skills - contd. Cordial relationship with everyone to achieve set goals. Self confidence. Analytical mind analyse situation without bias.
Flexibility Not rigid be creative. You can invent better processes and procedures No close mind Things are changing rapidly now than before Ability to adjust and adapt Teachable
Time Responsiveness Rendition of report and deliverables Essence of time in chain assignments Multi-level tasks time consciousness Deadline accomplishment Remote work, the new normal - procrastination
Teamwork A tree never makes a forest. Team is a colleague arrangement. Not boss and subordinate. Team player collaborate. Goal Congruence not to outdo others.
Teamwork contd. Respect is earned but not asked for. Synergy can two people work except they agree? Acceptability of better opinions. Not I but we
Work Ethics Way of life in truth. Integrity at all times. Arrow point for fairness and equity. High morals and personal values. Honest - does what s right.
Work Ethics contd. Dependable and trust worthy. No eye service
Positive Attitude Enthusiastic about innovation I can do mind set Positive in discussion and action No resentment Uniform behaviour in and out of office Confidence and optimistic
Conclusion Be organised and give attention to detail. Work with calendar, reminder and task scheduler. Observe how others do things. Ask questions when in doubt. Develop over time through experience.
Thank you Thank you
