Written by Javier Vinsome, EQ-i 2.0 Certified Coach, CPA Alberta Career/Diversity Advisor
“People who are most satisfied in their work tend to be those whose emotional skills fit the formula for the work.” – EQ Edge: Emotional Intelligence and Your Success
Accountants are emotionally intelligent, along with showing a high proficiency for technical skills. A recent study of emotional intelligence (EI), using the EQ-i 2.0 (Emotional Quotient Assessment) showed higher performing accounting and finance professionals excel in certain areas.
Findings from the study showed these were the areas of emotional intelligence that were important in the accounting profession:
- Problem Solving
- Interpersonal Relationships
- Happiness
- Self-Regard
- Emotional Self Awareness
CPA Canada’s article titled Can accountants learn “emotional intelligence”? also illustrates the importance of EI for accountants and touches on how EQ is linked to soft skill areas, also called enabling competencies, on the CPA Competency Map. The article notes that the Competency Map: will include new competencies that employers have identified as essential for the professional accountant, including innovation, resiliency and agility—qualities necessary for people to adapt to rapid rates of change. All of these are underpinned by emotional intelligence.
While some may not be as familiar with these skills, they will have a profound effect on the future of accounting. This is why CPA Alberta is offering CPAs the opportunity to create a personal development action plan based on an EQ-i 2.0 assessment. Simply request your Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ-i 2.0®) Assessment by visiting our website. Participants will receive their results along with an extensive one-on-one debrief with a certified coach.
For those interested in learning more about EQ, you’re encouraged to read The EQ Edge: Emotional Intelligence and Your Success by Steven J. Stein & Howard E. Book.
If you have questions on EQ or would like to speak to a certified coach please email: careerservices@cpaalberta.ca.
