Commercial skills rank 1st in ICAEW survey
FDs rank commercial skills first in a ICAEW survey which benchmark competencies needed by ACAs at key stages of their careers
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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