Like anything in life, a career ebbs and flows. You go through stages where you feel invincible and ready to take on the world, but there are also those times where you may feel like you don’t have the same fire as when you started out. These are the times when being creative and proactive can add some fresh inspiration into your accounting career.
Connect with a mentor or become a mentor
No matter what stage you are at in your career, a mentor can have tremendous impact on your personal and professional development. You may know more than one person you feel would be a great mentor. There’s no rule that says you can only have one mentor at a time. If you are a seasoned professional who is feeling a bit stagnant or perhaps you know you have something more to give back to others, you can become a mentor. Youthful exuberance can infuse your own career with life and open your mind to new possibilities for the industry.
Keep up to date with technology
These days technology changes quickly, and keeping up can seem daunting. You’re poignantly aware that with everything becoming more digital, it’s critical to keep pace with the advances, but this doesn’t mean you have to become a guru in every tech tool your firm uses. Start small. Perhaps you want to brush up on your Excel knowledge and learn a few new formulas or you may want to learn more of the keyboard shortcuts in QuickBooks. You may have a knack for identifying new tools that make things easier for your clients. Whatever technology you set your sights on, make a list of what you want to know about it and schedule a few minutes each month to learn more.
Expand your network
It’s easy to get busy with what you need to accomplish each day, and often networking is the last thing on your mind. Spending just 15 minutes a day to network with former colleagues, prospects and clients can make you feel more connected to those outside your firm. You can even take your networking outside the digital realm and pick up the phone or meet for coffee. These conversations can provide you with new ideas and insight that you can take back to your own career and clients, even if your contact is in a different career or industry.
Join a professional association
One way to supercharge your networking is by joining a professional association. If you specialize in an industry or niche, you can often find an association that can connect you with likeminded individuals. Associations today are finding new ways to create networking opportunities for members through webinars and digital gatherings, in addition to the traditional in-person events. If you enjoy speaking, you may even be able to contribute by hosting one of the webinars or speaking at an event to share your knowledge and show that you are a thought leader in the accounting industry.
Improve your soft skills
Your accounting and tax expertise isn’t the only contributing factor to career success. You also need to know how to manage your time, communicate effectively, lead a team and make decisions. Understanding your strengths and weaknesses in these areas can help you forge a path to improvement. There are numerous books written for business leaders that focus on improving interpersonal skills. You can also work with a trusted individual or mentor to provide honest feedback and insight.
No matter what stage you are at in your accounting journey, these tips can help you find inspiration and breathe life into your career.
If you are interested in working with us, you can apply through Glassdoor or on our website. Learn more about open positions and life at LvHJ on our careers page at https://lvhj.com/career-opportunities/.