Editor's note

Welcome to The Developing Accountant! The first in a series of free supplements to be produced by The Accountant magazine.  

Like the profession it serves, The Accountant has changed a lot in its 149-year history. While we have been in print for all those years, we are always looking at ways to improve our offering to the industry.  

This free to read, digital-exclusive series of supplements will look at key issues faced by the profession. In this edition, our partners and the IAB and TA team are focusing on the professional development of members in or entering the industry. From graduate apprentices to seasoned CFOs, professional development is key to the strength of the individual and industry at large.  

When we think of education and development, it is easy to assume we are talking about those at the start of their careers. However, it is important for practicing accountants to make sure they have the necessary skills to support a dynamic market. As businesses increasingly turn to accountants as their trusted advisors, it is crucial for accountants to be able to offer advice, insight and support when navigating the issues of the day.

The rapid development and integration of new technology in the industry is going to require accountants to expand on their digital skill sets and learn about areas of technology that perhaps did not exist or have such a fundamental use when they initially trained.  

Likewise, action to mitigate the climate crisis is increasingly becoming an important commercial priority for many businesses who are looking to report on non-financial issues.  

While there are new skills and approaches to be learnt in this area, accountants are well placed in their role to step up to the responsibility of reporting on these matters. 

Therefore, it is also important to consider the transferable skills that have been required in the profession for decades. As International Federation of Accountants president Asmâa Resmouki says in her interview with Zoya Malik in this issue, “Consider, for example, an accountant tasked with determining which non-financial information is meaningful and relevant to an organisation’s management or its shareholders. This is a job we have performed for centuries with financial information. Meeting this new task will not require a reinvention of our skill set, but an expansion of our subject matter knowledge to include certain aspects of sustainability.” 

On the topic of sustainability, our next supplement, scheduled for release in October, is called The Green Accountant. Please do contact me if you would like to be involved.