Have you ever thought about the types of people we respect, look up to and want to work with in the world of professional accounting? I reflected on this question and thought about all the people I met over my forty-five plus years as a professional accountant.

I distilled this down to three attributes.

Patience

I once worked with a person who was promoted to partner within a big 4 firm, much earlier than his peers. When I went to congratulate him, he shared something interesting that one of his teachers told him when he was young. She said he would need to develop patience in dealing with others, as they may take longer to understand things, and that he would have to wait for them to understand. This comment made him think differently about others and ultimately influenced how he treated people.

Our profession attracts highly intelligent people, who must complete strict educational requirements, pass professional exams, and navigate the complex work that we do. However, without patience to explain things to others in a way that they will understand, we risk not being able to communicate well. And if we can’t communicate well, we may struggle to convey our thoughts effectively, build rapport with our colleagues and clients, and develop high-trust relationships.

Eagerness to Learn

In professional accounting and in life, our skills come from training and education, practice, and continuous learning. It happens gradually and slowly, and we are often unaware of our improved skills. But skill can also be developed by massive action – you do not need formal education. If we devote sufficient time to learning and trying, we can gain skill in anything. I have seen very proficient and skilled accountants who did not get formal education or professional designations. Instead, they focused on doing a lot of work and were willing and eager to learn new things. You could say they learned on the job. Their work experience compensated for their lack of formal education. With an eagerness and curiosity to learn, we can accomplish great things.

Ethical Behavior

Finally, we are drawn towards people who are kind and who care about others. These are the fair minded, community minded and ethical people. They are doing things without a selfish interest; they are willing to help others and make the world a better place. These are the people seeking fair outcomes and are unwilling to hurt others in pursuing their own interests. Often, these attributes can be overlooked in the professional world. As Aldo Leopold once said “Ethical behavior is doing the right thing when no one else is watching.”

The Bottom Line

For long term success in our profession, and any other pursuit, we need all three of these attributes. Professional accountants who have all three will command respect in any group or team. They will become magnets for others and will become leaders in whatever they choose to do.

What other attributes do you think are critical for success in the accounting profession?