By Steve Saah, Executive Director of Finance and Accounting Permanent Placement, Robert HalfWhen a business implements new technology, finance and accounting teams are typically among the first in the organization to work with it. From the advent of electronic spreadsheets to the implementation of sophisticated enterprise resource planning systems, accountants have long been at the forefront of applying new technologies and adapting to technological change.This trend continues with modern innovations like blockchain, generative AI and advanced data analytics, which are making tech skills only more critical to the career success of today’s accountants. Let’s take a closer look at why that it is, and what skills you may want to learn.
No matter where you are along your accounting career path, staying up to date with the latest tools and methodologies can help you to:Stay relevant at work — and competitive in the job marketTraditional accounting knowledge still matters, but it’s not enough to succeed in a world where businesses are becoming increasingly reliant on AI and machine learning (ML) to automate routine tasks in their finance and accounting functions. Accountants need to understand how to use technology to enhance their overall productivity and provide value-added services.It also helps if they understand technology, generally, and the potential risks it can create for a business. Here’s some evidence: The CPA exam now includes IT elements. The introduction of the Information Systems and Controls (ISC) discipline, in particular, is a testament to how important tech skills have become in the accounting profession. The ISC CPA exam tests a candidate’s knowledge and ability to apply skills in IT audit and advisory, security operations center engagements, security and privacy, and data management and information systems.Pursue new career opportunities with a tech spinWhen you work to build up your technology skills, it can broaden your career prospects as an accounting professional. You may in fact find that you can take your career path in directions you may not have considered or even known about when you first entered the field.For example, the demand for skilled professionals to perform IT audits has surged as organizations across industries seek to ensure the integrity and security of their information systems. Accountants with deep knowledge of cybersecurity and information systems auditing can also transition into roles that focus on evaluating and improving IT controls and processes.Depending on where you are at in your finance and accounting career, expanding your technology skills and knowledge might even lead you to launch a career in consulting, where technical proficiency is typically expected.Add new dimension to your everyday workAccounting doesn’t have to be monotonous — and thanks to automation, it is becoming less so in many respects. The upside, aside from less tedium, is the ability to work on other projects that add value to the business. Here again, relevant tech skills can give you an edge.Whether it’s using business intelligence (BI) software to uncover insights from financial data or exploring the capabilities of generative AI in creating predictive analytics models, technology can add new dimension and a sense of purpose to your work. Embracing continuous learning and applying new tools can keep you feeling engaged by helping you become more effective at developing innovative solutions to complex challenges.
Now that we’ve established why today’s accountants should prioritize growing their technical abilities, let’s examine a few specific areas where you may want to invest in skill-building.CybersecurityFinance and accounting functions handle a vast amount of sensitive financial information, including customer details, financial statements and transactional records. Accountants with cybersecurity expertise can play a crucial role in helping the business to safeguard this information. They can, for example, assist in implementing robust security measures to protect high-value data from unauthorized access, breaches and fraud.They can also help the company comply with stringent data protection laws like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) in the U.S. Accountants with cybersecurity skills can assist in identifying potential vulnerabilities, conducting risk assessments, and implementing policies and procedures that align with these and other regulatory standards.BI softwareBI software, such as Tableau, Power BI and Qlik, allows accountants to analyze complex data sets and generate insightful reports and data visualizations. They can use these robust tools to:Perform complex data analyses to uncover trends, patterns and anomalies that might be missed with traditional methods. This, in turn, can lead to more accurate forecasting, budgeting and financial planning, which help to support informed business decision making.
Deliver real-time reporting, which is critical in today’s fast-paced business environment where stakeholders need to make timely decisions based on the latest data.BI software also automates many data management processes, reducing the time and effort required for manual data compilation and analysis.Data and analyticsAccountants with data and analytics skills can extract meaningful insights from large data sets, enhancing their ability to make informed decisions and provide strategic advice. They can analyze financial trends, identify patterns and predict future outcomes.Data and analytics skills can also help accountants to improve the accuracy of their work by increasing their ability to identify anomalies and errors in financial data faster and more effectively. Additionally, by using tools like SQL, Python and R, accountants can automate data processing tasks, reducing the time and effort required for manual data entry and analysis.Generative AIGenerative AI is a relatively new and rapidly evolving area of technology. But it’s already being used widely throughout the business world to transform how finance and accounting functions operate. By learning to work with generative AI effectively, accountants can find more time to focus on the strategic and analytical work that adds value to the business — and helps them stand out.Generative AI can be used to automate the drafting of financial reports and to analyze vast amounts of financial data quickly. AI-driven tools are particularly useful for predictive analytics, helping accountants to forecast the company’s future financial performance with greater accuracy.AI in ExcelExcel remains a staple tool in the accounting world — and Excel skills are in high demand, according to the latest Salary Guide from Robert Half. The integration of AI capabilities within Excel has revolutionized the spreadsheet software’s functionality. Features like data cleaning, pattern recognition and automated forecasting can streamline repetitive tasks such as data entry and reconciliation.With AI tools embedded in Excel like ML models and predictive analytics, accountants can analyze complex financial data more comprehensively. They can use AI capabilities to identify trends, anomalies and correlations, and create interactive dashboards, dynamic reports and visualizations that can enhance the communication of financial insights to stakeholders.
If you want to grow your tech skills, you have several options to jump-start the process. That’s true even if you’re a mid-career accountant who may be worried that your opportunities to gain new skills and progress professionally are starting to wane. Consider these three tips.1. Discuss career development skills with your employerEmployers often recognize the importance of investing in a tech-savvy workforce and may offer training programs or reimbursements for courses that align with organizational goals. Proactively expressing an interest in acquiring tech skills and seeking support for relevant training opportunities can open the door to accessing valuable resources and sponsorship.2. Enroll in online certification coursesThere are numerous certification courses available online that cater to accounting professionals seeking to enhance their tech skills. Platforms like Coursera, edX and LinkedIn Learning offer courses in cybersecurity, data analytics, BI software and more.Earning IT certifications such as the Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) or the Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) can also bolster an accountant’s credentials and demonstrate a strong commitment to continuous learning.Learn more about in-demand IT certifications.3. Pursue continuing professional education (CPE)CPE is another avenue for accountants to develop relevant tech skills and increase their professional versatility. Many professional accounting bodies require CPE credits for maintaining certifications, and numerous CPE programs from companies like Becker (one of Robert Half’s business alliance organizations) focus on technology and its applications in the field of accounting.Attending CPE seminars, workshops and webinars can provide accountants with the latest knowledge and practical skills they need to stay current in the industry, unlock new career opportunities and add more excitement to their professional lives.Build your tech skills in accounting with Becker CPEBecker provides CPE courses that are designed to help finance and accounting professionals improve their skills and knowledge and meet professional challenges. If you’re looking to grow tech skills in accounting, these educational courses and resources from Becker can help.Information Technology (IT) CPE CoursesAI in Accounting: A Virtual Colleague
Whether you’re an entry-level job seeker or a mid-career professional, or you’ve worked in finance and accounting for even longer, Robert Half’s specialized recruiters can help you with your job search. Learn how we bring technology and people together to help you find new career opportunities, faster.If you’re ready to start looking for accounting roles now, you can explore our current job listings.
Follow Steve Saah on LinkedIn.The original version of this article appeared on the Becker blog.
