Norhafida Kamaruddin’s Post

### Tips and Tricks for New Accountants As a new accountant, it's essential to develop the right skills and habits to succeed in your career. Here are some valuable tips and tricks to help you navigate your new role: #### Master the Fundamentals Ensure you have a solid understanding of accounting principles, debits and credits, and the accounting equation [What are some tips for learning accounting? - Quora](https://lnkd.in/dB29EHw8). Continuous learning is vital in the field of accounting, so stay up-to-date with industry changes and regulations [8 Detailed Pieces of Career Advice for Accountants | Indeed.com](https://lnkd.in/dZgV_iVn). #### Develop Time Management Skills Effective time management is crucial for accountants, as you'll often juggle multiple tasks and deadlines. Learn to prioritize your workload, set realistic goals, and avoid procrastination [6 tips to master the first 90 days in an accounting job](https://lnkd.in/dMBPBkGG). Developing this skill early on will make you more efficient and productive. #### Build Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills Accounting involves more than just crunching numbers. You'll need to analyze financial data, identify trends, and solve complex problems. Cultivate your analytical and problem-solving abilities by practicing case studies and seeking feedback from experienced professionals [Four Tips for New Senior Accountants at Public Accounting Firms ...](https://lnkd.in/dYGMgaVP). #### Embrace Technology Stay current with the latest accounting software and tools [Microsoft Excel tips and tricks for accountants - Journal of Accountancy](https://lnkd.in/d3kZhQjD). Proficiency in these technologies will not only make your work more efficient but will also make you a valuable asset to your employer. #### Network and Seek Mentorship Building a professional network is essential for career growth. Attend industry events, join accounting associations, and connect with experienced accountants who can provide valuable guidance and mentorship [8 Detailed Pieces of Career Advice for Accountants | Indeed.com](https://lnkd.in/dZgV_iVn). A mentor can offer invaluable advice and help you navigate challenges in your new role. #### Maintain Professional Ethics Accounting is a profession built on trust and integrity. Adhere to ethical principles, maintain client confidentiality, and always strive for accuracy and transparency in your work

Sometimes I do wonder and ponder on why is there No Award for “Best Accountant” just like we do have best footballer, best female artist, and all Have you ever thought of that before 🤷♂️ Anyway, I think I finally have something And the reason I resolve to is that accountant perform in different capacities. If we give best Accountant award to someone that is only in charge of ensuring that assets are in order, does this mean Payroll Accountants are not good enough or Receivables Accountants, or Finance Manager that oversee everything So in as much as we cannot give best accountant to anyone, I think every one of us as accountant should strive be a better version of ourselves, either young or old, ACA, ACCA, of FCA. And in becoming better, here are 5 things we must be doing repeatedly to achieve this. As accountants, we play a crucial role in helping businesses thrive. And the following five essential steps are needed to enhance our accounting skills and make a bigger impact: Stay Updated on Regulations The financial landscape is constantly evolving. Regularly update your knowledge on the latest tax laws, accounting standards, and regulatory changes to ensure compliance and offer the best advice to your clients. As we all know that we now have a new WHT regulations and more are still coming, to be better, you have to be updated Embrace Technology The days of manual records keeping system are over,leverage the power of accounting software and automation tools. Mastering platforms like QuickBooks, Xero, or SAP can streamline processes, reduce errors, and save valuable time. Develop Analytical Skills Being good with numbers is just the beginning. Sharpen your ability to analyze financial data to provide strategic insights that drive business growth. Advanced Excel skills and familiarity with data analysis tools can be a game-changer. Enhance Communication Skills Effective communication is key to explaining complex financial information clearly and concisely. Whether it’s writing reports or presenting to stakeholders, improving your verbal and written communication can elevate your professional standing. Commit to Continuous Learning The accounting profession is ever-changing. Commit to lifelong learning by pursuing additional certifications like CPA, CMA, ICAN, ACCA, CIMA, or attending relevant workshops and webinars. Continuous education ensures you remain at the forefront of the industry. By focusing on these areas, you can not only improve your own career prospects but also significantly contribute to your company's or clients' success. What steps are you taking to become a better accountant? Share your tips below! 👇 and lets all become better Enjoy your weekend💃 #Accounting #ProfessionalGrowth #CPA #Finance #ContinuousLearning #TechnologyInAccounting

𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐥𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐨𝐧  𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞? 𝐀 𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐛𝐨𝐱 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐞: "Your profile impressed me, and I'm fascinated by your extensive  experience in accounting. I'd love to hear about your journey, and any challenges you faced, and gain valuable insights from someone with your expertise." It got me thinking about my accounting career journey, and here’s my response which I decided to share to help more young accountants with similar concerns. In the course of my career journey both as a young and professional accountant, I have experienced challenging moments. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐝? ➡ Accounting involves mastering complex regulations and standards. ➡ Accountants manage sensitive data, ensuring accuracy and compliance, which is stressful. ➡ Workload peaks during tax season and year-end, requiring long hours. ➡ Continuous education and adaptation are needed for changing laws and technologies. ➡ The job demands high attention to detail and precision. ➡ Working with difficult bosses. 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬: 1️⃣ Setting of goals 🎯 -  Helped me to stay focused and motivated. Whether it was obtaining professional certifications, obtaining specialized skills, or climbing the corporate ladder. 2️⃣ Time Management and Work-Life Balance 🕒 - Accounting can be demanding, especially during busy seasons. Mastering time management is crucial. I learned to prioritize tasks, delegate when necessary, and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Remember, your well-being is just as important as your career. 🎯 3️⃣ Perseverance and Willingness to learn -  I sought out mentors, embraced continuous education, and never hesitated to ask questions whenever I got stuck. 4️⃣ Handling difficult bosses 🧛♂️ - I kept the communication clear, stayed professional, understood their expectations, sought feedback, stayed positive, and set boundaries. 𝐌𝐲 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬: 💡 ✅ Never Stop Learning - The field of accounting is always evolving. ✅ Build a Strong Network - Connect with professionals in your field. ✅ Embrace Challenges - Each challenge is an opportunity to learn and grow. ✅ Stay Organized - You may use a "to-do list." 𝐏𝐒. 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫? 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬!👇 📢 Liked this content? Please Like, Comment, ♻️ REPOST, and let others benefit from it. 🧑🤝🧑Follow me, Solomon Asuquo, for more valuable content like this. Hit the notification bell 🔔 on my profile page (bio) and select “ALL”  to be the first to know when I post new content. 👍 Thank you!

𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐄𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲? 🎓 Finance professionals are essential across public, private, and major accounting sectors. They manage organizational finances and benefit from certifications for enhanced skills and career opportunities. Let's dive deep into some top accounting certifications. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐫 (𝐂𝐆𝐅𝐌) 📜 CGFM certification is awarded by the Association of Government Accountants (AGA) to professionals demonstrating expertise in government financial management through exams and experience requirements. 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 (𝐂𝐌𝐀) 📜 CMA certification is awarded by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) to professionals demonstrating expertise in financial management and strategic decision-making. 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 (𝐂𝐏𝐀) 📜 A prestigious professional certification awarded by state boards of accountancy in various countries, including Malaysia, to individuals who have fulfilled specific educational, experiential, and examination criteria. CPAs are qualified to practice public accounting and offer comprehensive financial services to clients. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐬𝐭 (𝐂𝐅𝐀) 📜 The CFA certification, provided by the CFA Institute, is aimed at professionals in investment management, corporate finance, and financial analysis. To earn the CFA designation in Malaysia, candidates need a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, 4,000 hours of work experience, and must pass three levels of exams covering investment tools, asset valuation, and portfolio management. Although a substantial amount of investments is needed for the certification, they may play a crucial factor for a long term career development, offering specialized expertise in government financial management, strategic financial analysis, and comprehensive accounting services, respectively, leading to enhanced credibility, higher salaries, and diverse career opportunities. What do you think? As finance and accounting professionals, would you consider enrolling into accounting certifications to elevate your career into the next level? #FinanceCareers #CareerDevelopment #FinancialAnalysis #StrategicFinance #CareerAdvancement #AccountingProfessionals

Experience sharing: 21st National Inter-Varsity Accounting Quiz   Although it's been a while, but it's really an interesting college experience, so I'm here to share my experience and thoughts on the accounting competition.   National Inter-Varsity Accounting Quiz (N-IVAQ), a nationwide accounting competition organised by MMU and co-organised by MIA. The competition was opened to all students of higher institutions in Malaysia, and the competition comprises into two phases which is Qualifying round and Final round.   The qualifying round consists of sixty accounting questions covering finance, financial accounting, taxation, auditing, management accounting, etc., which participants must complete in one hour. The final round will be case study analysis round. Participants will need to prepare their presentation on their findings and analysis of the case study within 45 minutes.   Although our team unfortunately failed to get the top three in the competition, however, it is our honour to enter the top ten finalists. There are many things we can learn in the process of the competition, including skills other than accounting knowledge.   This includes team spirit, teamwork, time management, performance reporting, etc. These skills cannot be learned from lecture, and only by experiencing and participating in person then only able to learn the essence of these skills. As we know, in the future workplace, not only relevant professional knowledge is needed, but also many soft skills are needed.   Furthermore, learning is important, but only focussing on learning may limit your thinking mind and ideas. Participating in more activities such as this kind of accounting competition can help us to absorb more ideas and opinions from others participants, expand our thinking abilities and explore our thinking-mind.   Lastly, I would like to say thank you to my teammates; those days when we worked hard together will be a wonderful and unforgettable memory for me forever. And thank you, Sunway College Ipoh, for giving me this precious opportunity to participate in this accounting competition. #NIVAQ #MMU #MIA

Malaysia is also currently facing a tremendous shortage of accountants. Graduates would rather work in the accountancy sector overseas where the pay is higher. Or work in other sectors where the work-life balance is supposedly better. As a practitioner with an audit practice, I have noticed over the past five years that there is less and less interest from Gen Z’ers to train as an accountant. Add to this phenomenon the proposed increase in the Audit Exemption threshold, there will be a significant reduction in training positions within audit and accounting firms. A decline in new entrants plus less available jobs for entrants means that it is quite likely that Malaysia would face a skills gap that would take many years to overcome.

Happy Monday, future accounting stars! As you embark on this exciting journey toward becoming a professional in the world of numbers, know that each new week is a chance to grow, learn, and sharpen your skills. Whether you’re in the classroom, tackling internships, or diving into self-study, your efforts today are building the foundation for your tomorrow. Here’s some Monday motivation to keep you inspired as you pursue your accounting career: 1.     The Road to Success Is Built on Consistency Accounting isn’t just about mastering complex concepts; it’s about developing habits that lead to long-term success. Whether it’s reviewing a chapter, practicing problem sets, or learning a new software tool, every small effort compounds into big results. Your consistency today will pay off tomorrow. 2.     Every Mistake Is a Learning Opportunity Don’t be afraid of making mistakes—they are a natural part of the learning process. In fact, the most successful accountants learn from their errors and use them as steppingstones to greater expertise. The key is to approach each challenge with curiosity and resilience. 3.     The Numbers Tell a Story As an aspiring accountant, you’re not just crunching numbers—you’re learning to tell stories through financial data. Every balance sheet, every income statement, and every audit trail have a narrative. The more you understand the "why" behind the numbers, the more valuable you'll become as a professional who can guide decisions and drive strategy. 4.     Invest in Yourself Now The hard work you put in today will set you up for a rewarding future. It might seem like a lot of long hours or complex concepts but remember you’re investing in yourself. The skills you build now will open doors to a variety of exciting career paths, whether in corporate accounting, auditing, tax, forensic accounting, or financial analysis. 5.     Stay Curious and Keep Learning The world of accounting is always evolving. New technologies, regulations, and practices are emerging all the time. Stay curious and open to learning, because continuous improvement is what will set you apart. The more you learn, the more you grow—and the more opportunities you’ll unlock. 6.     You Are Capable of Achieving Great Things Remember that every expert was once where you are today: learning the ropes, building confidence, and pushing through challenges. You’ve chosen a profession that requires diligence, attention to detail, and a passion for problem-solving. Those qualities are within you, and they will carry you far. So, take a deep breath, set your goals for the week, and get ready to tackle new challenges with confidence. You’re on the right path, and each day brings you one step closer to your dream career in accounting. Keep going—your future self will thank you! Don’t forget to visit us at 92 Pademba road, Freetown to make you a better accountant! #HighwoodsInstitute #AspiringAccountants #MondayMotivation #AccountingJourney #BetterSalone

Now that you've hired some strong recent graduates who have the skills to get down to business, what other skill must they have — or develop — in order to prosper? This article gives very solid insight into that very issue. "A career in accounting looks nothing like it did 10 years ago, and it's still changing rapidly. That means young accountants need to develop a skill set that is much different from previous generations. In the past, accountants focused on honing their technical skills within specialties like tax, audit and accounting to stand out. Now, as technology is increasingly incorporated into everyday processes and young professionals begin interacting with clients earlier in their careers, a host of other skills are needed. Experts agree accountants just starting their careers will need to develop their tech and soft skills, on top of a thorough knowledge of accounting fundamentals, in order to succeed." #accountingjobs #newhires #accountingskills #humanresources #hrmanagement #teamdevelopment #cpajobs #cpas #accountingnews #accountantsandaccounting

Fast-track your career with specialized accounting training! Discover the transformative impact of honing your financial skills in our latest blog post. From boosting employability to opening doors to higher positions, learn how accounting training can propel your career trajectory. Don't miss out! #CareerAcceleration #AccountingSkills https://shorturl.at/moqwF