By Morgan Jones
Morgan successfully wrote the CFE in September 2020 and is currently completing his practical experience requirements. He is a Financial Accountant at Alberta Motor Association.
In general, being professional means acting in a way that shows you are capable, reliable, and competent. It is important to remember these traits and keep them in mind in all interactions that are directly or indirectly related to your profession.
When acting in your role as a CPA or future CPA, it is important to realize that you represent more than just yourself: you represent the company you work for, other organizations you work with, your clients, and the CPA profession as a whole. In today’s world, that means behaving professionally in the way we speak, communicate in writing, and interact with others using the many online and social media tools, whether in real time or not.
Let’s review the different areas where CPA candidates need to show professionalism in the current environment.
Communication
Speak clearly and concisely. Make sure you introduce yourself when required. Be upfront and honest. Listen to others, and ask questions on anything that isn’t clear to you.
Online meetings have recently become the norm in companies all over. And although you may be tempted to be more relaxed, these meetings should be treated in the same professional manner as if they were occurring in-person at an office.
Whether meeting in-person or online, or writing a communication, it always helps to consider your audience. By understanding the audience, you will know what language is appropriate. For example, if you are speaking with or writing to a person who doesn’t have an accounting background, it probably isn’t appropriate to use the many acronyms we use in accounting as they may not understand, and the communication will be ineffective.
Attire
Dress appropriately. From casual to business formal, dress codes vary from company to company. If you are new to an organization, the best way to find out their dress code is to ask or observe how others dress. Your attire says a lot about your professionalism; it creates the first impression. When in doubt about how to dress, opt to over-dress a bit, just in case.
Hygiene
Start the day clean and in crease-free clothes. My trick is to always buy clothes that don’t need ironing. Take the time to do your hair in the morning and give it a once-over prior to meetings throughout the day. Remember that good hygiene and tidy hair are always in style and professional!
Competence
Whenever acting in your capacity as a professional accountant, competency is key. As a professional, you need to ensure you can complete work you take on in a competent manner. Before agreeing to a project—particularly one you’ve never done before—timeline demands, resources, and other priorities need to be considered to ensure you can competently complete the requirements. If in doubt about your ability to complete an assignment or a work project, ask clarifying questions and be honest about any issues you see. By ensuring you can complete work competently and on time, you will demonstrate your reliability to your colleagues and clients.
Professionalism is about a lot of things, and it takes time and practice to get comfortable and get it right. If you put in the time, it will benefit your career and professional relationships, and will have a lasting effect on your organization and the CPA profession.
The views expressed in this post are those of the guest writer, Morgan Jones. Please refer to cpawsb.ca for the latest guidelines from the CPA Western School of Business.
