What sets an accounting professional apart from the norm? The accounting profession in the GCC is becoming more competitive by the day. Finance has traditionally been the nerve center of the business, driving performance and growth. This means that core accounting skills alone are not enough to succeed. Commercial acumen, risk management and financial leadership are all important competencies required for success in this market. What about brand value, positioning in the market, investment & divestment appraisals? So often understanding of these areas are where the gaps are and can only be gained through experience. What can you do to broaden your experience outside of core accounting?
Think of occasions where you have seen beyond the numbers.
Specific value added areas are:
- Strategy – Identification of strategies, driving change and shaping the finance model around it.
- Analysis – Supporting decisions through robust modelling, management accounting, project finance, budgeting and forecasting.
- Operational – Managing the balance sheets and optimizing working capital.
- Controls – Establishing internal controls, managing risk effectively, developing an effective structure.
Wherever you can you should be selling yourself on specific achievements in these areas, demonstrating delivery through tangible results and being able to talk about how you did things rather than just what you did. This will help set you apart from the crowd.
