What Type Of Person Thrives In Accounting, According To A CPA From Rizvi And Rizvi
In public accounting, success hinges on a blend of "reasonable technical skill" and strong "soft skills," with the latter being particularly crucial for advancement. The most successful individuals, often termed "rainmakers," excel at client interaction and business development, even if their technical expertise is not the strongest.
Communication, Problem-Solving, Teamwork, Leadership, Client Management
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Amir Rizvi
CPA
Rizvi & Rizvi CPAs
San Diego State University 2008
USC - Master of Business Taxation (MBT)
Political Science, American Studies
Finance (Banking, Fintech, Investing)
Finance
Honors Student, Worked 20+ Hours in School
Video Highlights
1. Strong soft skills are essential for success in public accounting, even more so than in some other professional services.
2. Well-rounded individuals with a balance of technical skills, soft skills, and coaching abilities often rise to the top.
3. The ability to build relationships with clients and generate business ('rainmaking') is highly valued and can lead to significant career advancement.
Transcript
How would you describe people who typically thrive in this industry?
I'm similar to what I've said earlier. If you have the soft skills and reasonable technical skill, you can go far, especially in public accounting.
This is more so than in other professional services like law. There are many people, particularly at big firms, who are happy to just look at spreadsheets all day, and that's their job for the rest of their time in the industry.
Those people do fine, and you need them, but the people who make it to the top, like directors and partners, are almost always well-rounded. They're decent technically, have great soft skills, and are great coaches who develop talent.
If you can be balanced amongst those three, it's beneficial. Some of the most successful people I know are great salespeople and great with soft skills. They're great at interacting with clients and winning business. They might not be the greatest practitioners, but it's a common term in our industry called "rainmakers." Those are the most valuable and successful people in accounting.