If you think about how accountants are portrayed in the mainstream media, you’ll probably be thinking about smartly dressed individuals balancing calls in the car and books in the office. They walk with pride, they get respect wherever they go, and they are the heart of some of the most challenging and complex business transactions. But how did these individuals get to be like that? What did they perform like as students to be in such a successful place in their careers? Here, we detail some of the key attributes and skills that you’ll need to be a successful accountant so that you can set yourself on track to enjoy that level of success.
Having an eye for detail
Accountancy demands the ability to pay attention to the finest of the fine print. If you’re good with figures, you’re probably halfway there. Being able to handle a wealth of information and ensure that no stone goes left unturned is critical in this business.
How to become a successful accountant! Think outside the box
When you’re in the middle of a complex transaction, you need to be looking at the issues from all angles. It’s not enough just to follow the rules – you have to know what else you can do if you run into stumbling blocks. Being able to think outside the box, come up with new ideas quickly, and deliver results consistently even in the face of adversity is your goal.
Negotiation skills
Part of your job as an accountant is not just getting the right figure at the end of the day, but helping your employer or clients get a great deal. Negotiation is key in that respect. Being able to talk to a range of people confidently and respectfully is important here, as is your ability to assess how interests of various parties play off of each other.
At Mont Rose College, we know how to identify and develop these important traits. As a partner college of Bucks New University, we have the faculty and the resources to ensure that your talents do not go to waste. We offer various HND, HNC and degree programmes in a range of fields, including business and accountancy, and what is more, all of our courses are funded by Student Finance England.
Become a successful accountant in three steps
At Mont Rose College in Ilford, we are committed to helping our students embark on a successful journey towards their chosen career. For many, this will be working as an accountant and will, therefore, start with our bachelor’s degree.
Although this is not a requirement for everyone who enters the field, it is necessary for those who plan to become a certified public accountant (CPA). Yet if this is only the first step, where do you go once you’ve begun the course?
Well, you follow these three steps to become a successful accountant
1. Complete your BSC
Those planning on becoming a CPA will first need to complete their course and obtain the relevant qualifications. This will require committing to around three years of full-time study, passing all parts of the exam and working for a set number of hours under supervision. As you might imagine, this experience can be intensive. At the end of it, however, you will officially be classified as a certified public accountant, leaving you free and able to practice where and as you wish.
2. Secure an entry-level job
Before you officially graduate, we recommend securing an accounting internship or some other means of gaining experience to include on your CV. This will set you ahead of the competition when it comes to finding a professional position upon the completion of your degree. Armed with a well thought out and executed resume, you can begin applying for entry-level positions, knowing that you have the experience and qualifications necessary to succeed.
3. Look for continuing educational opportunities to become the best successful accountant
If you are satisfied with the role that you secure and the position you occupy, you may feel happy to sit back and enjoy the ride, knowing that your hard work has paid off and helped you get to where you need to be.
However, this is not your only option. Most people will seek career progression and one of the best ways to achieve this is through earning a certification in a specialist subject or completing a master’s degree. Both will give you further areas of expertise to utilise, as well as setting you apart from other professionals who are otherwise on a par with you.
If you approach your career in the right way, qualifying as an accountant can open up boundless opportunities with executive level professionals earning up to 
103,000 per year. Apply yourself today to reap the rewards and achieve your overarching aims.
