As an accountant, a fair portion of your job can involve working alone. However, this does not mean that you do not need effective communication skills to be a good accountant. In fact, accounting communication skills are crucial to building relationships with your clients and performing your job well — even if they have nothing to do with crunching numbers.
Why Are Communication Skills Important in Accountancy?
Communication skills for accountants are important for several reasons, ranging from being able to explain complex information to collaborating effectively and building relationships with your clients and fellow coworkers.
Aid in Explaining Complex Information
Accountants deal with complex jargon and other complicated information that they need to be able to explain clearly and concisely to those outside the field. Strong communication skills can really come in handy in being able to translate this information in a way that anybody can understand without losing essential details.
Help Build Client Relationships
Accountants also need to listen to clients’ needs, concerns, and goals to provide tailored financial advice. With solid communication skills in place, accountants can effectively foster trust and understanding, both of which are essential for client retention and satisfaction.
Foster Collaboration and Teamwork
Even if a decent portion of your work involves working by yourself, there is a good chance you will occasionally need to work in teams or collaborate across departments within your organization. Having solid communication skills will help you work effectively and productively as part of a team.
Assist in Negotiation and Persuasion
Accountants also need to possess strong communication skills to effectively present their positions and persuade others. Whether this means negotiating with a client or taking a stance within your organization, effective communication skills are critical here.
Contribute to Clear Reporting and Presentation
Accountants are frequently expected to create clear, accurate, and understandable reports that can be presented to clients or other members of their respective organizations. Having great communication skills ensures that these presentations are delivered as effectively as possible.
Communication Skills Specific to Accountancy
So, what communication skills should accountants have to propel their careers forward? These skills range from the ability to articulate complex financial information in a way that is accessible to non-experts, to mastering the nuances of interpersonal communication that foster stronger client and team relationships.
Advisory and Consultative Communication Skills
These skills are crucial to being able to provide clear, actionable advice on important financial matters. Accountants provide insights and strategies to help businesses grow, reduce costs, and improve their financial health. This advisory role requires the ability to communicate complex financial scenarios clearly.
Ethical and Compliance Communication
Accountants also need to be able to communicate about important compliance, ethics, and regulatory issues with clients. This includes having the ability to convey the importance of specific ethical standards and legal requirements as they relate to clients’ financial practices and industry regulations.
Client Education and Support
Strong communication skills will also make it possible for accountants to properly and confidently educate clients about financial strategies, tax laws, and investment options by providing clear explanations and support to clients in managing finances.
Technical Writing Skills
Effective accountants need to be able to communicate not just verbally, but in writing as well. This means having strong technical writing skills that allow them to create clear, concise, and accurate financial reports and documents. Likewise, accountants should be able to tailor the complexity of their writing and content to the audience’s specific level of understanding.
Auditing and Compliance
Accountants need to communicate their findings as they relate specifically to auditing and compliance standards. This means being able to discuss recommendations and any areas of concern to stakeholders through clear and precise communication to ensure that necessary actions are understood and implemented.
Change Management
Finally, accountants play a key role in helping organizations navigate financial changes and challenges. Being able to effectively communicate the implications of changes and how they can be managed is key to a successful accountant/client relationship.
How Master of Accounting Programs Teach Communication Skills
If you are looking for a way to level up your communication skills as an accountant, a Master of Accountancy program can provide the communication skills training you need to help you build upon these important skills. In fact, there are numerous ways in which a Master of Accounting degree program can help teach you key communication skills that you can apply to your work in the field.
Integrated Coursework
The right Master of Accounting program will include courses that are specifically focused on business communication or incorporating communication modules into traditional accounting courses.
Group Projects and Teamwork
Many Master of Accounting programs will also include collaborative group projects, which help students build upon their verbal and non-verbal communication skills. These kinds of projects can also encourage teamwork, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills that can all come in handy in your everyday work as an accountant.
Presentations and Public Speaking Assignments
A graduate degree program in accounting is also likely to require regular presentations and public speaking exercises, which can help students build confidence in their ability to articulate ideas and present in a group setting.
Written Assignments
A Master of Accounting program can also help to build written communication skills in the form of written reports, essays, and research papers. These kinds of assignments allow students to develop their formal and technical writing skills, which are crucial for creating professional accounting documents and help with clarity, conciseness, and proper structuring of financial information.
Role-Playing and Simulations
Another component of a graduate program in accountancy that can help accountants build important communication skills is that of simulated business situations. Students may, for example, engage in simulated client meetings or negotiation scenarios that allow them to practice and refine their communication skills in a realistic setting.
Feedback and Peer Reviews
Constructive feedback from professors and peer reviews are both common components of a master of accounting program, allowing students to receive real-time feedback on their verbal and written communication skills. In turn, this can also help students develop their critical and reflective listening skills.
Internships and Practical Experience
Some Master of Accountancy programs may also offer opportunities for internships, externships, and other real-world experience when students can apply and hone their communication skills in a professional setting.
Networking Events and Guest Speakers
The right graduate program will also provide exposure to industry professionals through planned networking events, seminars, guest lectures, and more. These events provide opportunities for students to learn from experienced professionals about effective communication in the accounting field while exercising their own networking skills to connect with others.
Ways to Develop Communication Skills as an Accounting Student
Being in school for accountancy is an excellent opportunity to develop both your technical skills and soft skills, with communication being among the most important. Fortunately, there are plenty of practical ways to work on your communication skills during your time in school.
Actively Participate in Class Discussions
Rather than staying quiet or keeping to yourself during class, try to engage in class discussions and debates as much as possible. Doing so will give you an opportunity to practice your verbal communication skills and better articulate your thoughts.
Join Student Organizations and Clubs
Take the time to research student organizations offered on your college campus, especially those that are focused on business or accounting. These can be a great way to enjoy additional practice in both formal and informal communication.
Seek Leadership Roles
In addition to getting involved in student organizations and groups, you might even consider volunteering for available leadership positions in these groups or in similar projects on campus. Doing so will help you further develop your leadership skills, team management, collaboration, and communication skills. Plus, these kinds of positions look great on your resume.
Utilize Campus Resources
Many college campuses offer specific resources where students can receive free guidance, tutoring, and other assistance with their communication skills. This might include a writing center to work on your written communication or even a public speaking club to help you develop your verbal communication skills. Regardless, it is important to take advantage of the resources that are available to you while you are in school so you can make the most of your time.
Find Mentorship Programs
You might also want to check and see if your school offers a mentorship program, where experienced professionals can provide you with guidance and feedback on your communication skills as well as other areas of your professional development.
Engage in Volunteer Opportunities and Community Service
Volunteer opportunities often require participants to exercise their communication skills within diverse groups, which can enhance your interpersonal and empathetic communication. This, in turn, can come in handy in your own professional life.
Gain the Communication Skills Needed in Accountancy at UTC
Being able to communicate effectively and confidently is incredibly important in the world of accounting. Good communication can help you build stronger relationships with your clients and even work your way up the career ladder.
A great Master of Accounting program can lay the foundation you need to work on your communication and other professional skills. The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is proud to offer an online Master of Accountancy program through our Gary W. Rollins College of Business, where you can prepare to take the CPA exam while developing your communication skills and preparing to enter the workforce with confidence.Get in touch today to learn more about our accountancy program or get started by filling out your online application.
