For a profession that's often stereotyped as stagnant, the world of accounting is changing at unprecedented speed: Accounting industry trends include headline-grabbing topics such as artificial intelligence, automation, ESG consulting, and remote work.
One trend that is clearly only going to strengthen is the transformation of the CPA into an advisor, which requires a substantially different skill set than the expertise most students get in their accounting education. For new accountants — especially those working remotely — your success depends on understanding how to navigate these evolutions.
Who better to give advice on embracing change than the person whose motto is, "Changing the way people think about accounting"? In a
- Determine if remote work is a good option. While the benefits of remote work are substantial, it's not an environment everyone thrives in. If you're entering the accounting industry and considering pursuing remote positions, take stock of your work style and determine if a virtual office environment will suit you. As Jody advises, "As someone interviewing for a job, it's important to ask, 'Hey, is this something I really want to try?'" In truth, working from home is similar to working in the office. The main difference is that when you work from home, your day is more task-driven than time-driven. Maybe you're not expected to "clock in" at 9 a.m. and stay the entire eight hours in the office before heading home, but your employer will expect you to complete the tasks you have for the day, even if the hours during which you work on them fall outside of the standard 9-to-5 timeframe.
- Approach remote work like you're working in person at your company's office. As a remote employee, it may be tempting to roll out of bed and into your office chair. However, when you log on to your computer to start work in the morning, it's imperative that you show up similarly to how you would in person. Even though you're working from your home office, you still want to maintain a level of professionalism. Speaking of home offices, remote employees typically work best when they have a dedicated space to work, so try to make that happen. If you can, move your home office into a room with a door you can close so that you have a quiet space for when you need to hop on a call or have some "heads down" working time.
- Consider pursuing accounting jobs that include a consulting component. With the advent and ever-growing use of artificial intelligence and an increase in automating processes, task-driven jobs like accounting may fall victim to technology, causing clients to select software over service-based businesses. Jody foresees a change in the industry: "I don't believe what worked for accounting firms in the past will be what works for them in the future." He predicts, "Advisory will be the biggest thing that accountants need to understand and really need to work with and really be good at because that's what clients are going to want." With this in mind, I recommend pursuing positions that allow you to advise clients instead of solely putting together reports and financial statements.
- Hone your communication skills. Soft skills will be invaluable to the future of accounting in which CPAs are top-tier advisors. "The biggest thing you can learn right now is how to communicate, how to tell the story, and how to create those relationships with your customers and your team," says Joey Kinney, my podcast co-host and CFO at Summit Virtual CFO by Anders. "If you don't do that, it doesn't matter how good you are at your job."
- Stay curious. Curiosity — the trait that led Jody to build a business that boasts $60,000-plus-per-year clients — can help you grow your career. The trick is to respectfully question why your team follows certain processes or uses specific approaches at your company to determine whether more effective or efficient methods exist. In doing so, you can devise alternative methods to streamline company operations or improve client outcomes. "That's what innovation is," Jody says, "trying to figure out how we can better something by just asking 'Why?'" Even if you're just getting started, commit to innovating in your role and — if you're in the right environment — you'll excel in your current position and propel your career forward.
Whether you're applying for your first job at an accounting firm or are just starting to settle into your new role as a CPA at your chosen company, consider leveraging some of the suggestions above to ensure you start your career on the right foot.
