What skills do I need to be a freelance accountant?
Innovation
The business world is constantly evolving, meaning the accounting requirements that go with it do too. It’s certainly a handy tool to have if you come up with fresh ideas, ready to make an impact on the future of accounting.
Understanding
Understanding aligns with innovation, as you will need to understand the field in which you’ll be working. Meeting new clients, taking in new information and project managements may just be a few of your daily tasks in accounting. This is why understanding information quickly is vital for the role.
Communication
When it comes to conveying complex information, accountants need to be able to communicate it in the most straightforward way possible. No matter where you’re working, it’s likely you’ll need to work alongside colleagues on every level.
Commercial awareness
It’s very important that an accountant can understand how and where a business fits in the market. This will range from how it is affected by the economy, to social and political movements, to how it can forge ahead and evolve. Having this level of knowledge will put you in good stead in an accounting career.
Enthusiasm
This is really a staple for any job, but it’s no different in the world of accounting. You will need to bring positive energy, and truly believe that what you are working towards is crucial.
Initiative
Being able to work on your own is just as important as being able to work with others in accounting. This will prove that you can think independently, which will eventually see you given more trust and responsibility. This is a very important factor if further in your career, you decided to go into freelancing.
Credibility/Integrity
First things first, you want people to trust you, whether that be your co-workers or your clients. Having credibility in the bank allows you to earn more opportunities by building a credible brand, which will lay the foundations for a solid future in the field.
Resilience
Just like any career, showing that you’re willing to put in the hard yards can go a long way. This is particularly important when starting out in accounting, as you will be working towards tight deadlines, and juggling multiple clients’ needs, all whilst remaining positive through tough challenges.