The first Career Benchmarking Survey survey by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (ICAEW) and Robert Half Finance & Accounting, of more than 3,000 members who work in business, shows financial directors and chief financial officers rank commercial acumen and leadership as most important in their careers.

In all, 73% of FDs and CFOs thought commercial skills were crucial and 61% ranked leadership as the main skill required for their position.

For respondents working their way up the career ladder as finance managers, technical ability, communication and commercial skills were most important. Tax specialists overwhelmingly, at 91%, thought technical ability was the most important skill required to fulfil this role.

Overall, 23% of respondents thought commercial skills were most important; closely followed by communication skills at 22%; and technical ability at 20%.

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