It’s a brand-new year, the last in the first quarter of the 21st century – a century in which humanity is taking great strides in technology and trying to live in a way that sustains the environment that supports us.
A new year is always an opportunity to reassess how prepared we are to survive and even thrive in a rapidly changing world. It’s a time to evaluate our roles in the workplace and how well suited we are to playing them. To succeed as accountants and professionals, we have to embrace lifelong learning, continuing to add new skills that align with the future of business and the profession.
The dynamism of the business environment means the skills that accountants need in the workplace keep changing. The longer it has been since you qualified as a professional, the more some of the knowledge you gained at that time has become outdated, and the greater the need to update it. The beginning of the year is a good time to make an upskilling move.
To remain useful at work, make time for self-improvement
Certification
ACCA has several offerings that can help members and non-members update their skills for today’s workplace. Its certificate courses – which include such cutting-edge topics as sustainability, data analytics and artificial intelligence – are particularly valuable, as they cover new areas of business and life.
The ACCA Certificate in Sustainability for Finance equips finance professionals with the skills to lead on sustainability issues in their organisations. The course involves just 20 or so hours of self-paced interactive learning, culminating in a 25-question assessment. Given the importance of sustainability and its growing impact on what we do at work today, finance professionals need to understand what sustainability is and their role in promoting it. ACCA’s CertSF supplies that understanding.
In today’s workplace, data is gold. Technology enables us gather data – lots of it. The ability to arrange and analyse this data for decision-making is an essential professional skill. The ACCA Certificate in Data Analytics covers how to use the great tools available for getting the best out of data. Like CertSF, CertDA is self-paced and can be easily fitted into the schedule of a busy professional.
Offered in cooperation with the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI), ACCA’s Certificate in Ethical Artificial Intelligence explores the fundamental ethical and management issues in the deployment of AI in finance. That makes it of great relevance today as organisations increasingly introduce AI into their processes.
The courses are concise and self-paced, with tests on demand
ACCA certificate courses cover many other areas – internal auditing, IPSAS, integrated reporting, global business services, fintech for finance and business leaders, digital innovation for finance, and business valuations – and are designed to keep professionals in tune. These courses are all concise and flexible, and the tests are on demand.
For busy professionals, especially younger ones who are at a point in their careers where it may all seem overwhelming, the obvious question is how to find the time to do courses. For more experienced professionals, the lack of time and motivation to engage in more study may also be impediments, as their days may be stuffed with meetings and deadlines. But to remain useful at the workplace, professionals must create time for self-improvement.
Study tips
If you do decide to update your skills, here are a few tips for studying while working.
- Set clear goals. Define what you want to achieve and choose programmes that align with your objectives. Self-improvement and task-readiness are good objectives to pursue this year.
- Create a schedule. Allocate specific times for studying and stick to them. I’m an early riser, so a couple of hours before breakfast does the trick for me. Consistency is key.
- Leverage technology. The ACCA courses are delivered online, allowing you to learn at your own pace and at a time that suits your schedule. Many other attractive resources are also available online.
- Communicate with employers. If you are in a position to discuss your plans with your employer or manager, take the opportunity to do that as they may provide some support. Employers like employees who improve themselves, and this could help in your growth at the organisation.
- Find a study buddy. Partnering with a colleague or fellow professional can make learning more engaging and help keep you committed.
Self-growth
To continue to contribute to their organisations, professionals must be willing to make this investment in their growth. Younger accountants can build a solid foundation by mastering cutting-edge skills, while senior members can diversify their expertise to remain relevant and impactful.
Make this year one of purposeful learning. After all, the most successful accountants are not just experts in their own field but adaptable professionals ready to meet the demands of a dynamic world.
