Building your skills
There's more to being a chartered accountant than academic ability. Your skills help you stand out from the crowd and make you more employable. And once employed, can help your career progress.
The skills most in demand by employers include:
- communication
- commercial awareness
- team work and co-operation
- numeracy
- leadership and self management
As well as these key skills, training organisations are also looking for a number of other personal attributes. The following will be useful to think about when planning your applications and preparing for interviews: personal motivation and commitment, creativity and flexibility, planning and organisation and problem solving.
Skills you need as a chartered accountant
Opportunities to build your skills
As a potential ACA trainee, you need to be able to build up a personal 'skills bank' which will make you more employable. You should be able to demonstrate examples of each skill that training organisations are looking for. Remember; be confident in giving evidence of your chosen examples.
The following programs and services offer you the opportunity to build your skills.
Young Enterprise
Aged 15 and 19? Still at school? A great way to develop your skills and attributes is to get involved with the Young Enterprise company program.
ICAEW business game skills session
The business skills session gives you a brief taste of life as a chartered accountant. Take part and you'll be challenged to take on the role of a business adviser, where you'll get an opportunity to develop a diverse range of skills needed to become a chartered accountant.
Student Brand Managers
Are you interested in a career in business, finance or accountancy? This could be the part-time job for you, with flexible working hours, a chance to improve your CV and interesting projects to get involved with. We are looking for student brand managers at a range of universities, please use the link to find out how to apply.
More information on the Student Brand Manager Role
University careers service
There are a variety of workshops run on campus throughout the year, and by attending them you can enhance your skills bank. Some universities will host 'skills weeks' as part of your curriculum, some of which will be compulsory to attend, others you can sign up for. Speak to your Careers Service or check out your university website to find out more.
Employer workshops
Many organisations run skills events, including firms of chartered accountants. Sessions like the business game and workshops, cover everything from advice on how to write CVs and applications to developing presentation skills. Events are advertised through your careers service and will be useful to attend. This is also a great opportunity to find out more about working for that organisation
