Accountant Business & Administration Professionals
SaveWhat Does an Accountant Do?
Accountants review and analyse financial statements, budgets, financial reports, and business plans in order to check for irregularities resulting from error or fraud, and provide their clients with financial advice in matters such as financial forecasting and risk analysis. They may audit financial data, resolve insolvency cases, prepare tax returns and provide other tax-related advice in reference to current legislation.
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Accounting Techniques
The techniques of recording and summarising business and financial transactions and analysing, verifying, and reporting the results.
These are common skills for this role, based on a European framework. Requirements vary between jobs, including in the UK. Real-world experience matters more than ticking every box - use this as a guide, not a checklist.
Skills You Need to Become an Accountant
Essential Skills
Essential Skills
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EssentialAccounting Techniques knowledge
The techniques of recording and summarising business and financial transactions and analysing, verifying, and reporting the results.
Recommended Books
5 books -
EssentialFinancial Statements knowledge
The set of financial records disclosing the financial position of a company at the end of a set period or of the accounting year. The financial statements consisting of five …
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EssentialAccounting Department Processes knowledge
The different processes, duties, jargon, role in an organisation, and other specificities of the accounting department within an organisation such as bookkeeping, invoices, recording, and taxing.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialAccounting Entries knowledge
The financial transactions recorded in accounting systems or books of a company together with the metadata linked to the entry such as the date, the amount, the accounts affected, and …
Recommended Books
3 books -
EssentialCommercial Law knowledge
The legal regulations that govern a specific commercial activity.
Recommended Books
4 books -
EssentialTax Legislation knowledge
Tax legislation applicable to a specific area of specialisation, such as import tax, government tax, etc.
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EssentialBookkeeping Regulations knowledge
The methods and regulations involved in the process of accurate bookkeeping.
Recommended Books
1 book -
EssentialDepreciation knowledge
The accounting method of dividing the value of an asset over its useful life for the allocation of cost per fiscal year and in parallel to decrease the value of …
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EssentialFraud Detection knowledge
The techniques used to identify fraudulous activities.
Recommended Books
1 book -
EssentialFinancial Department Processes knowledge
The different processes, duties, jargon, role in an organisation, and other specificities of the financial department within an organisation. Understanding of financial statements, investments, disclosing policies, etc.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialStatistics knowledge
The study of statistical theory, methods and practices such as collection, organisation, analysis, interpretation and presentation of data. It deals with all aspects of data including the planning of data …
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialAnalyse Financial Performance Of A Company skill
Based on accounts, records, financial statements and external information of the market, analyse the performance of the company in financial matters in order to identify improvement actions that could increase …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialCalculate Tax skill
Calculate the taxes which have to be paid by an individual or organisation, or paid back by a governmental institution, compliant with specific legislation.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialCheck Accounting Records skill
Revise the accounting records of the quarter and year and ensure that the accounting information reflects with accuracy the financial transactions of the company.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialFollow The Statutory Obligations skill
Understand, abide by, and apply the statutory obligations of the company in the daily performance of the job.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialInterpret Financial Statements skill
Read, understand, and interpret the key lines and indicators in financial statements. Extract the most important information from financial statements depending on the needs and integrate this information in the …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialManage Accounts skill
Manage the accounts and financial activities of an organisation, supervising that all the documents are correctly maintained, that all the information and calculations are correct, and that proper decisions are …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPrepare Financial Statements skill
Collect, entry, and prepare the set of financial records disclosing the financial position of a company at the end of a certain period or accounting year. The financial statements consisting …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPrepare Tax Returns Forms skill
Totalise all the deductible tax collected during the quarter or fiscal year in order to fill tax return forms and claim it back to the governmental authorities for declaring taxation …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAttach Accounting Certificates To Accounting Transactions skill
Collate and link documents such as invoices, contracts, and payment certificates in order to back up the transactions made in the accounting of the company.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialDraft Accounting Procedures skill
Lay down standard methods and guidelines to regulate bookkeeping and accounting operations, including determining the bookkeeping system used to record financial transactions.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialEnsure Compliance With Accounting Conventions skill
Exercise accounting management and abidance by generally accepted accounting conventions such as recording transactions at the current price, quantifying goods, separating personal accounts of managers from those of the company, …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialExplain Accounting Records skill
Provide additional explanation and disclosure to staff, vendors, auditors, and to any other instance about the way accounts were recorded and treated in the financial records.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialIdentify Accounting Errors skill
Trace accounts, revise the accuracy of the records, and determine the faults in order to solve them.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPerform Balance Sheet Operations skill
Make up a balance sheet displaying an overview of the organisation's current financial situation. Take into account income and expenses, fixed assets such as buildings and land, intangible assets such …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPrepare Trial Accounting Balances skill
Ensure that all transactions are recorded in the books of the company and totalise all the debits and the credits of the accounts to find out balance in the accounts.
Course recommendations coming soon.
Optional Skills (5 of 31 displayed)
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OptionalInternational Financial Reporting Standards knowledge
The set of accounting standards and rules aimed at companies listed in the stock exchange which are required to publish and disclose their financial statements.
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OptionalFinancial Forecasting knowledge
The tool used in performing fiscal financial management to identify revenue trends and estimated financial conditions.
Recommended Books
5 books -
OptionalFilm Production Process knowledge
The various development stages of making a film, such as scriptwriting, financing, shooting, editing, and distribution.
Recommended Books
2 books -
OptionalLiquidity Management knowledge
The theory and practices around the management of liquidity in a company with the aim of facilitating meeting obligations with thirds parties without compromising the smooth functioning of the company …
Recommended Books
1 book -
OptionalInsolvency Law knowledge
The legal rules regulating the incapacity to pay debts when they fall due.
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OptionalNational Generally Accepted Accounting Principles knowledge
The accounting standard accepted in a region or country specifying the rules and procedures to disclose financial data.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalAdvise On Financial Matters skill
Consult, advise, and propose solutions with regards to financial management such as acquiring new assets, incurring in investments, and tax efficiency methods.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalAdvise On Risk Management skill
Provide advice on risk management policies and prevention strategies and their implementation, being aware of different kinds of risks to a specific organisation.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalConduct Financial Audits skill
Evaluate and monitor the financial health, the operations and financial movements expressed in the financial statements of the company. Revise the financial records to ensure stewardship and governability.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalConsult With Production Director skill
Consult with the director, producer and clients throughout the production and post-production process.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDisseminate Information On Tax Legislation skill
Provide advise on the possible implications for companies or individuals on decisions regarding tax declaration based on tax legislation. Advise on the favourable tax strategies that could be followed depending …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalEvaluate Budgets skill
Read budget plans, analyse the expenditures and incomes planned during certain period, and provide judgement on their abidance to the general plans of the company or organism.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalHandle Financial Transactions skill
Administer currencies, financial exchange activities, deposits as well as company and voucher payments. Prepare and manage guest accounts and take payments by cash, credit card and debit card.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalManage Budgets skill
Plan, monitor and report on the budget.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalManage Inventory skill
Control product inventory in balance of availability and storage costs.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalManage Payroll Reports skill
Maintain personnel records as well as payroll reports. Record evaluations, promotions or disciplinary actions.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPerform Cost Accounting Activities skill
Execute the cost related activities and operations within the accounting activities such as standard cost development, average pricing analysis, margin and cost ratio analysis, inventory control, and variance analysis. Report …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPerform Risk Analysis skill
Identify and assess factors that may jeopardise the success of a project or threaten the organisation's functioning. Implement procedures to avoid or minimise their impact.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPrepare Financial Auditing Reports skill
Compile information on audit findings of financial statements and financial management in order to prepare reports, point out improvement possibilities, and confirm governability.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalSupport Development Of Annual Budget skill
Support the development of the annual budget by producing base data as defined by the operations budget process.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCalculate Production Costs skill
Calculate the costs for every production stage and department.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCheck The Production Schedule skill
Check the daily and long term schedules for rehearsal, training, performances, season, tour, etc., taking into account the project timeline and all the preparations required by the production.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalConsult With Producer skill
Consult with a motion picture producer about requirements, deadlines, budget, and other specifications.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalExert Expenditure Control skill
Analyse expenditure accounts against the income and usages of different company units, companies, or organisms at large. Recommend usage of financial resources in efficient manners.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalKeep Track Of Expenses skill
Make sure that project expenses are duly recorded. Ensure careful bookkeeping, regularly review the budget, respect budget allocations, and take all necessary steps to keep the expenses transparent.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalLiaise With Auditors skill
Participate in discussions with the auditors conducting inspections of the organisation's accounts and inform the managers about the results and conclusions.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalManage Corporate Bank Accounts skill
Have an overview of the bank accounts of the company, their different purposes, and manage them accordingly while keeping an eye on their balance, interest rates, and charges.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalManage Revenue skill
Manage revenues, including deposit reconciliation, cash handling, and delivery of deposits to the bank.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalMonitor After Sales Records skill
Keep an eye on the after sales feedback and monitor customer satisfaction or complaints; record after sales calls for thorough data analysis.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPerform Dunning Activities skill
Send letters or make phone calls to methodically remind individuals about actions they are requested to take by a set deadline. Use a firmer tone as the due date approaches …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalResolve Difficult Account Allocation Cases skill
Perform various activities in the account area which require special technical expertise such as registering income from investments, capital levies or dividends and interests from fixed-interest securities.
Course recommendations coming soon.