How Accounting Skill Sets of New Hires Measure Up

In a world of increasing digital footprints, remote auditing and AI-focused everything, today’s accounting jobs require new hires to have specific skill sets to help them achieve success and thrive at the start of their journeys.  Everything from professionalism and attention spans to tech skills can make a difference in being prepared for today’s early-career accounting jobs.    

A 2025 Illinois CPA Society report, The Readiness Divide: How Next-Gen Accounting Talent Measures Up, showed that early careerists are overestimating their readiness for jobs and that there is a misalignment between what those new to their careers think about their communication and professionalism in the office and what management’s take is on that. “Across 37 skills among six different categories, early-career employees consistently rated their preparedness notably higher than managers did,” according to the report. Other mismatches included young professionals thinking that they were not given enough feedback and managers believing they had provided it.

Helpful Skills, Experience and Attitude

JoAnna Billete, CPA, tax manager of trust and estates at Wiss, helped explain some of the challenges heaped on new hires. To her, new hires may feel like they are, at first, stepping into a whole new world, but what can set them apart is how they approach their careers. “A curious mindset goes a long way. Be the person who genuinely wants to understand the ‘why’ behind the work. That curiosity fuels growth, and growth is non-negotiable in this field,” she advised.

New accounting professionals, she said, should not fear asking for help and should speak up when necessary. “Many new hires fear it makes them look unprepared, but it shows you’re committed to getting it right and growing as a professional,” she explained. “Strong communication and people skills help you build trust, understand client pain points and craft solutions that fit their unique situations. It’s about being authentic, showing you care and balancing confidence with humility, knowing when to contribute ideas and when to say, ‘I’ll do more research and get back to you.’”

Gaining confidence to communicate effectively in the office may take time, however. “Learning how to adapt, identify the missing information and communicate my concerns was something I was not taught in school,” explained Todd R. Natale, an accountant at Traphagen CPAs & Wealth Advisors. “I did not initially understand the importance of communication skills in a job that seems to primarily involve numbers. Speaking to my first client over the phone was nerve-wracking, but with the support of my team, I was able to gain the confidence needed. This valuable lesson has continued to teach me how communication is just as critical as technical skills.”

Internships are good training grounds to master both people-related and technical skills. “An internship provides the ideal environment to learn these lessons, make mistakes and grow personally and professionally,” reminds Natale. “Most accountants make the greatest impact when they are able to articulate their insights with their clients and build strong and lasting relationships with them. One of the best ways to gain this experience is through an internship at an accounting firm.”

Internships facilitate student learning by applying classroom content with firsthand experience, according to Kayla O’Connell, an accounting student at Stockton University. “As an accounting student who completed an internship, I processed real client data using Excel and learned firsthand the importance of accuracy and consistency before submitting my reports.”

Where preparation can definitely be improved is in bridging classroom learning, noted Caitlin M. Smith, CPA, partner at SKC and Co. CPAs LLC, with real-world application. “Internships, mentorship, and experiential opportunities provide students with valuable practice in both technical and interpersonal skills. These experiences not only enhance technological competence but also rebuild the human connection that is central to professional success,” she said.

A Broader Take

One area where schools can better prepare students is by broadening their view of what “accounting” can look like, according to Billete. “Beyond tax and audit, there are niches in forensics, transformation and tech services and operations. Incorporating AI and automation tools into coursework, alongside critical thinking and asking the right questions, would better equip graduates to thrive in today’s evolving profession,” she said.  

Barry R. Palatnik, Ed.D., CPA, MBA, Accounting Program chair and associate professor of accounting at Stockton University, agreed. “By strengthening partnerships between academia and industry, we can ensure that students graduate with both the skills and the abilities to thrive. This means integrating experiential learning, embracing technological fluency and designing curricula that reflect the realities of modern practice,” he said.

In reviewing hiring trends and professional expectations across the accounting industry, Platanik noted that one theme is clear: firms consistently seek candidates with a solid foundation of skills — developed through structured coursework and real-world applications. These, he noted, include the following:

• Excel proficiency and data analysis
• Technical accounting knowledge
• Clear and effective communication
• Critical thinking and ethical reasoning
• Attention to detail and professional judgment
• Time management and organizational skills
• Research and problem-solving skills
• Confidence in adapting to account platforms and digital tools
  

Unlike skills, abilities reflect how individuals learn, adapt and apply knowledge in unfamiliar or evolving contexts, which applies directly to accounting, explains Palatnik. “There are students who grasp technical content quickly, while others require repeated exposure. These abilities are harder to teach, but they are no less critical. Students who have the capacity to quickly learn and adapt to recent technologies may develop a competitive advantage. As accounting tools and platforms evolve rapidly, students must be prepared to engage with unfamiliar systems confidently and independently,” he said.

Adaptability has emerged as a defining skill, noted Smith. “Technology continues to advance at a pace that challenges even seasoned professionals. Those who can adjust quickly, embrace new tools and apply problem-solving in uncertain situations are better prepared to succeed in a profession that rarely stands still.”

While college provides a strong foundation, Natale credits the ability to network, communicate effectively and build client relationships with what will take someone further in their career. “In accounting, the classroom alone is not enough preparation for someone to start a successful career post-graduation,” he said.