In this rapidly developing world, it takes more than a fancy job title to keep you ahead of the game. With automation taking over the finance and accounting sector, you not only have to outdo your competition but also manage ways to keep your resume relevant in this advanced digital age.

Improving your knowledge and upgrading your skillset are some of the ways that give you the added advantage. Continual professional development (CPD) has become a necessity to employers and employees alike from varying industries. According to Hays’ 2018/2019 report on salary and recruitment trends, nearly 60% of white-collar workers in Australia participated in some form of professional development course or training. This statistic is expected to grow over the coming years with job descriptions becoming more advance and the hefty skill requirements expected from the candidates.

With a plethora of online and offline courses to pick and choose from, how does one decide what’s best for the progression of their career? Here are three steps to get you started:

1. Understanding the upcoming changes in your industry

The integration of digital and human labour is far from over. With technology rapidly advancing, there is no guarantee that the landscape of accounting and finance will remain the same next year. In their research ‘The Rise of Humans’, KPMG International foresees many roles undergoing reconfiguration and restructure, resulting in job dislocations and the requirement for employees to master new skills. To understand what the future of work looks like, it is important to stay informed on the significant impact AI will have in the workplace.

2. What are the gaps you need to fill?

Before you start filling your calendar with CPD courses, it’s necessary to first identify the missing pieces in your skillset that will help future-proof your career. According to Deloitte, the average worker lacks two of the 18 critical skills advertised for a job. In the same article, Australian employers are looking for three million more people with digital literacy skills than there are currently available. This would mean that come 2030, finance professionals would be short of two or three crucial skills that are required to perform their job effectively. Based on these findings, choosing to grow your digital proficiency skills would be a great place to begin.

3. Brushing up on your soft skills

Aaron McEwan, Gartner’s HR practice leader for Australia and New Zealand, predicts that accountants ten years from now will not only be digitally savvy, but bring with them a high level of insight, empathy, and creativity to their roles. In Acuity Magazine’s article ‘Hard demand for soft skills,’ the role of the accountant has taken a giant leap from data collection, report and analysis to someone who is perceived as a trusted adviser with insights into critical information of businesses large or small. This is where soft skills such as communication, ethical thinking and negotiation are essential to the accountant’s continuous job development.

With opportunities available at your fingertips, progressing your skillset has never been more accessible, and in the long run, a rewarding investment.

FlexiFund It is a fund collection software that provides your customers with flexible payment options while securing the full payment for your professional services. The software automates your entire funding and payment process, allowing you to control more transactions in less time with less effort.

Get in touch to find out more about FlexiFund It Fee Funding software. A cloud-based, easy-to-use solution developed to serve accountants and accounting practices.

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