Case ACCT 601 Week 1 Written Assignment: Important aspects of communication and writing skills in Accounting (GRADED A)

Accountants usually spend a significant amount of time at a desk or computer, burying themselves in financial statements, receipts and other financial data. While that is true, once the numbers are crunched and ledgers are balanced, that results of financial information needs to be explained to someone, either verbally or in writing. Thus, communication and report writing skills are essential to be successful in the accounting profession. Depending on the nature of the business or employment, accountants may have a great deal of personal interaction, especially for those solo CPA practitioners. For CPA’s a large firm may, they are also many required many forms of communication. Public accountant are likely to have some client interaction, which could range from the initial meeting to discuss the client’s financial situation, to networking in order to establish new clients. Internal accountants are required explain complex financial issues in simple, layman’s terms and answer questions clearly. Some accountants are also required to present in front of groups of people, such as boards of directors, legal and financial regulators, club or professional membership organizations. When preparing a document, accountants should organize their thoughts and use language that the readers can understand. In addition to the required verbal skills, accountants also need to compose a variety of written communications. They can be just as simple as instruction or thank you letters to clients, or much more complex forms of financial reports. Forensic accountants, who investigate crimes and other disputes, are required to prepare legal reports and documents. Accountants must be able to convey complex financial information in terms that everyone can understand. Accountants should first familiarize themselves with the topic. The next step is to research their audience, including their purpose for the participating in the discussions, their concerns, time constraints and attitude. Then, accountants must tailor their speech as appropriate. The more prepared and knowledgeable the accountants are about the participants, the more the message will carry effectively