Career Services - Skills

What Skills Does A CPA Need?
Most people think that to be a CPA all you need are math skills. CPAs don't have to be expert mathematicians but more importantly they need a large variety of business skills! Strong people skills, strategic thinking and problem-solving skills are just as important for being a Certified Public Accountant as they can hold a variety of roles in the business world, each one of them requiring a new set of skills.

Auditors need to be independent, objective and above all, ethical. Corporate Accountants need to be innovative, cooperative, and have excellent managerial skills. CPAs in Information Technology need to be technologically savvy, innovative and organized while Tax and Financial Planners need to be trustworthy, responsible and analytical. CPAs have all of these skills making them today's most trusted business advisor!

When considering a career, it is important to consider your personal work values-- what is important to you in a job, and most suitable for your individual personality and interests. Consider your values as you think about possible careers and get a better idea of a profession that will be personally satisfying.

Below are 12 questions to ask yourself when considering a career in accounting. If you answer "Yes" to seven or more of these questions, accounting may be a good match for you!

Do you enjoy working with and meeting new people?

Do you want to earn a college degree that provides the opportunity to pursue career paths?

Do you want a career that is financially rewarding and offers the opportunity for advancement?

Do you want to continually enhance your knowledge-base and business skills, thus providing you with job security and job stability in times of economic hardship?

Do you want a career that is personally rewarding and allows you to see the results of your work?

Do you want to work in a professional environment?

Are you comfortable working with numbers?

Do you enjoy advising and assisting others in accomplishing their personal and business goals?

Do you want to work with the latest technology in new and dynamic areas of business?

Do you believe that the "big picture" of a situation, as well as the details, are important in the work that you do?

Do you enjoy using your analytical skills to solve problems and provide solutions?

Do you want a career that requires excellent communications skills-- written and verbal-- and the opportunity to use them?

If these series of questions lead you toward the accounting profession, we suggest that you explore this Web site and request a copy of the video "Takin' Care of Business" from the MSCPA Academic and Career Development Coordinator, Barbara Iannoni.