Bolster Tax Careers in Uncertain Times Through Tech, Soft Skills

The one constant in life is change. It’s also a constant in work, as I’ve seen in my 25 years recruiting for finance and accounting professionals. Last year’s layoffs and reduced job postings by the Big Four likely have tax professionals wondering how to safeguard their jobs and how they’ll advance their careers.

While none of us can predict changes in the economy, there’s plenty tax pros can do to build their value—and a thriving career—in a shifting environment. It all starts with taking a proactive and consistent approach to career development.

Focusing on earning certifications, getting public experience, building technical knowledge, and soft skills can drive a tax practitioner’s value not just in today’s market but throughout their career.

Earn Certifications

Hiring managers place heavy emphasis on certifications because they’re the industry standard and show a deep level of knowledge and commitment to the profession.

Throughout my career, clients have emphasized credentials as either a must-have or highly preferred in the search. As a result, resumes with the terms “certified public accountant,” “certified management accountant,” and/or “certified payroll professional” automatically go in the short stack for immediate interviews.

I’ve always seen high demand for credentialed candidates, and I don’t see it diminishing in the future. If a tax pro decides to expand their career beyond tax and accounting, these designations still carry substantial weight. Clients prefer them when they’re looking to fill financial analyst, operations, and C-suite roles, to name a few.

If a tax pro already possesses these designations, become more active in a local professional chapter by serving on a board and/or attending regional or national conferences. Seeking out opportunities to present at or organize these events will help expand one’s network and professional development and offer greater visibility for new career opportunities.

Get Public Experience

Tax pros can get incredible exposure to a wide variety of industries, companies, and people working for a public accounting firm.

Candidates coming from public firms are highly sought-after because of the experience they gain working for multiple clients. They learn more—and more quickly—in this environment compared to working for one firm, one boss, and with one set of colleagues.

To learn about open roles, follow the Big Four and regional accounting firms on social media, and engage with their stories by liking, commenting on, and sharing their posts. Set up automated searches and job alerts. Look at their open roles, and see what credentials match up with their job descriptions.

Connect with their recruiters and practice leaders on LinkedIn. Better yet, start a conversation. Taking these steps helps build visibility and relationships, which are more valuable than simply applying to open roles online.

Build Technical Knowledge

The pace of change continues to accelerate, and no one wants to be left behind. Stay current with industry changes by reading as much possible and following tech developments in your own company. Subscribe to newsletters from professional associations and follow industry leaders on LinkedIn to read posts to learn more about regulatory changes.

Keep current with a variety of publications so you can accurately gauge what’s happening in the industry and economy. Scan tax and accounting trade publications, your local business journal, and national/local daily newspapers. Many of these outlets offer daily digest updates you can receive via email. If you don’t have subscriptions, check the local library to see if they have online access to these publications.

Keep current on the latest ways generative AI is being used in the tax field. For example, data entry, risk identification, prep work, reporting, and reconciliations are all ways to increase efficiency and add value to teams and clients. Stay informed to offer relevant ideas and recommendations to managers and colleagues for possible implementation.

Partner with the in-house information technology team and offer to be a first learner on any new or updated technology, to later be able to help train your colleagues and partner with IT on further updates. This is an excellent skill and a great point to add to a resume and discuss in interviews.

Focus on Soft Skills

My colleagues and I often say technical skills such as education, experience, and certifications often get a tax practitioner the job. But soft skills offer advancement opportunities and open new doors that can accelerate a career.

Soft skills are more important than ever, especially in a global workforce that relies heavily on technology and dispersed teams. Among the most valued skills to develop are:

• Listening
• Written and verbal communication
• Presentation skills
• Flexibility/ability to adapt
• Positive attitude
• Problem-solving skills
• Calm and measured demeanor in a crisis
• Empathy

Self-investing is the best way to develop a career. Building your certifications, public experience, and technical and soft skills will put you in an elite class of professionals. No one can take these investments away, and they’ll continue to be highly regarded by current and potential employers.

Focusing on the value you bring today and in the future is the best course of action to set yourself up for continued success.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Bloomberg Industry Group, Inc., the publisher of Bloomberg Law and Bloomberg Tax, or its owners.

Author Information

Steve Saah is executive director of the finance and accounting permanent placement practice at Robert Half.

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