Selecting an accountant is a critical and responsible task since this specialist is in charge of financial reporting and accounting. Even a small mistake, loss of information, or late submission of financial reports can have significant consequences for a business, posing financial risks and potential losses.
When to Look for an Accountant?
The best time to find an accountant is the period after the submission of reports, quarterly or semi-annual. At this time, many specialists are looking for a new place, the number of resumes is increasing, and the employer has a good choice.
A competent and valuable employee typically won’t switch jobs during reporting periods, demonstrating their professionalism and responsibility. Therefore, when reviewing resumes, it is worth paying attention to the time of the candidate’s job change.
Educational Background of a Candidate
Candidates for the accountant role should have an educational background in finance, accounting, auditing, or economics. Whether this is higher education or vocational training is less critical than the following factors:
- Experience
- Professional competence
- Personal qualities
Key Professional Skills for an Accountant
When selecting an accountant, employers should ensure the candidate possesses skills and qualities relevant to the job’s specific duties. Most companies seek accountants with the following abilities and knowledge:
- Understanding of basic accounting principles.
- Proficiency in accounting software, such as 1C: Accounting or its equivalents.
- Knowledge of current tax systems.
- Ability to handle business correspondence.
- Proficiency with computers and office software packages.
Additional advantages: experience working with online banking systems, electronic tax filings, and legal software.
Assessing Professionalism
To evaluate a specialist’s level of expertise, testing can be an effective method. While pre-made tests are widely available online, they often offer generalized assessments. Ideally, create a custom test tailored to the specific duties of the role within your company. Testing should be conducted before interviews.
Experience and Tenure
Pay attention to a candidate’s average tenure at previous jobs. Professionals rarely switch jobs frequently. Ideally, an accountant should stay at one workplace for at least 2-3 years.
Additionally, consider the industry in which the candidate has worked. Accounting practices and reporting requirements can vary significantly across sectors.
Recommendations for Hiring an Accountant
Here are the primary recommendations for selecting the right accountant:
- Check the candidate’s references and previous workplaces.
- Contact previous employers to gain insights into their experiences working with the candidate.
- Ensure the candidate’s knowledge is up-to-date.
- Accounting laws and regulations change frequently. Verify that the candidate is familiar with the latest updates in accounting and tax legislation.
- Assess their ability to learn.
- Modern accounting software and technologies evolve rapidly. Choose someone willing and capable of learning new tools.
- Test their attention to detail. An accountant must pay attention to detail. Conduct a test where the candidate must review and correct errors in a prepared document.
- Evaluate adaptability and stress tolerance.
Accounting work often involves high workloads, especially during reporting periods. Ask the candidate how they handled challenging situations at their previous workplaces.
Evaluating Personal Qualities
Personal attributes are as important as professional skills. A good accountant should have:
- An analytical mindset.
- A high degree of accuracy and responsibility.
- Strong time management skills to meet deadlines.
To assess soft skills, consider using tailored tests and interview questions that can help determine whether the candidate aligns with your company’s values and requirements.
