CPAs Well Positioned to Lead After the Recession

Source: CPA Success

The following includes excerpts from a blog posting on February 19, 2010, titled Top 5 Skills of the Post-Recession Leader.

The most valuable leadership skills in the post-recession world will be:

1. Broader and longer line of sight--the ability to see emerging patterns and shift perspective when necessary.
2. Network leadership--the ability to connect various stakeholders, including customers, regulators, team members, investors and supply chain partners.
3. Strong analysis skills (financial and operational)--a strong and working understanding of the business and operations at an economic and financial level. (CPAs, you already have this!)
4. Communication skills--the ability to communicate effectively and simplify very complex issues in a way that people will easily "get."
5. Global perspective--the world is flat and global, and all leaders today have to truly develop a global perspective and some international skills.

Stephen Miles, vice chairman of Heidrick & Struggles, an executive recruitment firm, said this: "The best CEOs in the world are a combination of CEO, COO and CFO. They are inspirational, financially literate and know the ins and outs of their business at a sophisticated level."

Now we are talking. The skill sets of the CPA are back in vogue as companies need smart spending and carefully evaluate their investments using "real numbers." The CPA brings disciplined thinking, financial literacy, and an understanding of the business that few can match.

Even if you don't aspire to the corner office, this is an opportunity to make a difference for your organizations and clients. They need us more than ever.

To read the entire posting, click here.

From CPA Success, the blog of the Maryland Association of CPAs, www.cpasuccess.com.