Critical Analysis of the Accountant Professionalism

Critical Analysis of the Accountant Professionalism
An accountant entails a professional in the field of accountancy who is mainly responsible for analyzing and providing financial information, which is used by organizational managers to make appropriate decisions concerning the finance resource allocation and usage. Professional accounting organizations are responsible for ensuring evaluation and appropriate practicing standards, for the accountants. Examples of the professional organizations are; Certified Public Accountant, Chartered Accountant, and Chartered Certified Accountant. Professional accountants must have adequate levels of competencies. The competencies improve their work efficiency and effectiveness, and hence organizational productivity. The paper analyzes the ten key competencies in the accounting profession. The competencies are; good communication skills, team work, confidentiality, leadership, integrity, problem solving, integrity, objectivity, adaptability, and experience (Perks 2013).
Effective communication skill is important in accounting profession. This enhances the sharing of the accounting information such as the balance sheet statements (APESB 2012). My communication competency is below average at 4. The poor rating is because of the weak public speaking and inadequate oral presentation abilities. The main approach of solving the communication challenge entails doing effective research on the communication patterns of successful entrepreneurs. The research provides adequate knowledge on the appropriate communication approaches at the workplace, with customers and fellow staff members. Team work competency enhances the integration of the knowledge and experience of the organization accounting staffs. Teamwork improves the accounting decision making process in the organization. An active team generates superior accounting results. My ratings for team engagement are appropriate at 7. This is because I effectively participate in decision making process of the team, especially when preparing financial reports like profit and loss accounts. Team work can further be improved through engaging in more academic group assignments and research (Perks 2013).
Confidentiality is an important attribute in the accounting profession. Confidentiality restricts the unauthorized access of organizational information; for example, restricting competitor access to the sales trends of the organization (APESB 2012). My confidentiality rating is very high at 8. This is because I have the ability of keeping important or significant secrets, like the identities of financial investors. I hope to further improve my confidentiality by engaging in part-time jobs that require high confidentiality levels; for instance, bank clerk. Leadership entails the ability of influencing other individuals to work towards achieving set targets. Example of leadership entails, motivating the accounting staffs to prepare financial statements effectively and efficiently. I have an average leadership rating of 6; this illustrates that I should further motivate my academic team in achieving the academic and research targets on a timely basis. The leadership competency can be improved through motivating the soccer team to achieve good results, and also taking leadership responsibilities during the part time job.
Problem solving is an effective approach used by accountants in generating solutions to the challenges that affect the organization (APESB 2012). I have average problem solving capabilities, as illustrated by the rating of 5. The average score illustrates that I should aim at further developing solutions for the challenges that exist in social, academic, research and economic environments. The problem solving activities can be improved through engaging in more research studies. The studies identify a problem through scientific process. Recommendations on how to solve the problem is then described. Credibility is a key attribute for accountants. The competency ensures that accountants are trustworthy. Trustworthy accountants generate accurate statements that reflect the true financial position of the company at a given date. I posses appropriate credibility rating of 8; this is because I always ensure truthful and appropriate transactions in my daily financial and non-financial transactions. However, I aim to further improve the credibility competency; this is through maintaining a good reputation in the part time job that I will engage in.
Integrity competency of accountants relates to the ability of ensuring honesty, and appropriate moral and ethical principles (Perks 2013). The integrity rating that I possess is more than average at 7. This illustrates that I always aim at achieving the moral and ethical standards of the society. Integrity can further be enhanced through the participation in various community activities. The community participations include; participation in academic clubs activities, and offering voluntary services in non-profit organizations. Adaptability is a key attribute applicable to accountants. Adaptability ensures that accountants appropriately fit in different work contexts, and in several accounting roles. For instance, accountants must be able to work with the sales team in preparation of the sales trends, and also work with the human resource department in the preparation of the payroll. I have a weak adaptability rating of 3; this is because I am ineffective when experiencing performance pressure. This competency can be enhanced through combining study and work activities. Varied activities improve the planning capabilities of individuals, hence manage performance pressure effectively.
Experience, especially in the work environment in crucial for accountants. This is because it ensures proficiency in the accounting processes. I have an inadequate rating of 4, due to inadequate number skills. Experience can be improved through engaging in part time work related to accounting; for instance, bank teller (Perks 2013). Objectivity is a critical component in accounting profession. The quality illustrates capability of generating reasonable judgment; like appropriate profit forecast. The rating of 5 illustrates average objectivity rating. The rating is because my emotions greatly influence, my decision making processes. Objectivity is increased through separation of personal issues form the work processes. Example include; being able to covey negative information such as losses effectively, without expressing sadness or remorse.

Bibliography
APESB. 2012. Compiled APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants. Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board Limited (APESB).
http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&v ed=0CCkQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.apesb.org.au%2Fattachments%2FCompil ed%2520APES%2520110%2520Code%2520of%2520Ethics%2520for%2520Professiona l%2520Accountants%2520- %2520December%25202011.pdf&ei=oNvUUoOHHMq3kgXJ84CoDg&usg=AFQjCNF DCWoFhy1QoOqG4enrDeHrsrGgVA
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Perks, Rich. 2013: Accounting and Society. London: Chapman & Hall.