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From Soft Skills to Power Skills: What Accounting Students Need to Know
As an accounting student, your coursework likely emphasises technical expertise — mastering financial reporting standards, tax regulations, audit procedures, and spreadsheets. These are the hard skills, the technical foundation of your profession. But as the accounting field evolves, another set of skills is becoming just as important — and they’re no longer being called “soft.” Welcome to the age of power skills.
Why Power Skills Matter for Accountants
In the past, skills like communication, teamwork, and adaptability were often considered secondary to technical competence. But today, the most successful accounting professionals aren’t just number crunchers — they’re strategic thinkers, ethical leaders, and trusted advisors. This shift has prompted a rebranding: what were once called soft skills are now recognized as power skills — essential, career-defining capabilities.
As a future accountant, your ability to:
- Explain complex financial information clearly
- Work effectively with clients and cross-functional teams
- Demonstrate integrity and emotional intelligence
- Adapt to regulatory changes and new technologies
- Solve problems with critical thinking and creativity
…will be just as crucial as preparing accurate financial statements.
The Accounting Industry is Changing — So Should You
The accounting profession is rapidly transforming due to technology, globalisation, and increasing expectations around business ethics and sustainability. AI and automation are streamlining tasks like data entry and reconciliations. But what can’t be automated is your judgment, your leadership, or your ability to guide clients through complex decisions.
That’s where power skills come in. Employers are looking for accountants who can do more than audit a balance sheet — they want professionals who can communicate insights, influence decision-making, and collaborate with both finance and non-finance teams.
Power Skills in the Classroom and Beyond
You don’t have to wait until graduation to start building power skills — you’re already in the perfect environment to practice them. Group projects, presentations, and internships are prime opportunities to develop:
- Communication – Presenting findings clearly in written and verbal formats.
- Teamwork – Working on case studies or assignments with classmates from diverse backgrounds.
- Adaptability – Managing multiple deadlines and responding to feedback.
Take every opportunity to refine these skills, because they’re what will set you apart in interviews and in your first job. Think of power skills as the language of business — even if your numbers are perfect, they won’t mean much if you can’t explain what they tell us.
Standing Out in a Competitive Field
Accounting is a competitive field, and having technical skills alone is no longer enough. Employers are increasingly using behavioral interviews to assess power skills — asking questions about how you’ve handled conflict, worked in teams, or adapted to change.
By investing in your power skills now, you’ll be preparing not just to land a job, but to lead a team, grow a practice, or even become a partner someday. These skills will help you:
- Build trust with clients and stakeholders
- Navigate ethical dilemmas with confidence
- Translate complex data into meaningful stories and recommendations
Final Thoughts: Your Numbers Will Speak — But So Will You
In accounting, accuracy and compliance are critical — but so is connection. As a student preparing for the real world, remember that how you work with others, how you respond to challenges, and how you communicate your expertise are what will truly define your success.
So as you build your technical toolkit, make sure you’re also developing your power skills. They’re not just important — they’re essential.
If you're interested in developing these power skills as a student or new graduate, an internship is an excellent avenue. Learning 'on the job' amongst experienced colleagues is the best way to understand how to really achieve success in the accounting field, beyond the required technical prowess. Take a look at our internship program to find out how.