Minimal pay raises are projected for senior-level finance professionals. Skills Making News Accounting and finance is no longer a static career area, but success requires more than specialized experience in IPOs or mergers. Public accounting firms are diversifying, and such specialty areas as business valuation, systems consulting, mergers and acquisitions services and litigation support are growing. Mr. Zion recommends that accountants gain exposure to different industries and improve their technical skills. Accounting and finance professionals also must be able to communicate well.
Companies planning IPOs want CFOs with excellent presentation skills.
She adds that two candidates recently were rejected because of poor communication skills. Knowledge of international transactions and accounting standards and foreign language skills also are valuable. Spanish is most in demand, followed by Japanese and Chinese, according to a 1997 Robert Half executive survey. Search our database of more than 30,000 entry-level jobs and internships.