{"id":7117,"date":"2019-02-19T10:11:21","date_gmt":"2019-02-19T08:11:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bmkedev.wpengine.com\/?p=7117"},"modified":"2022-01-06T20:10:26","modified_gmt":"2022-01-06T18:10:26","slug":"accounting-career","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/accounting-career","title":{"rendered":"A Detailed Look At A Career in Accounting"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Accounting jobs in Kenya are among the most sought-after jobs. A quick look at the top jobs in 2018 revealed that Accounting and Finance was 3rd in the top 15 jobs. This could be due to the value that accounting professionals bring to an organisation. Accountants can work in the public or private sector, or even at an individual level, doing anything from auditing and filing taxes to budgeting and financial planning. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some accountants specialise in unique areas like environmental accounting, which involves analyzing the environmental impacts of business such as the financial damage from ecological disasters, or forensic accounting, which involves fraud prevention and detection.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite this fact, competition for accounting jobs in Kenya is fierce. In a single day on average, BrighterMonday has over 100 new accounting job-listings with some getting over 200 applications. So, how do you stand out when looking for <\/span><a class=\"article-body-links\"href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/jobs\/accounting-auditing-finance\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">accounting jobs in Kenya<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">?<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_81 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69fa47d6c16c7\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69fa47d6c16c7\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/accounting-career\/#How_to_Become_an_Accountant\" >How to Become an Accountant<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/accounting-career\/#Skills_You_Must_Possess\" >Skills You Must Possess<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/accounting-career\/#Key_Accounting_Concepts_You_Must_be_Familiar_with\" >Key Accounting Concepts You Must be Familiar with<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/accounting-career\/#Common_Interview_Questions_in_an_Interview_for_an_Accounting_Position\" >Common Interview Questions in an Interview for an Accounting Position<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Become_an_Accountant\"><\/span>How to Become an Accountant<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-7120 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/How_to_become_an_accountant_BM_-_FB.png\" alt=\"How to become an accountant\" width=\"1200\" height=\"630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/How_to_become_an_accountant_BM_-_FB.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/How_to_become_an_accountant_BM_-_FB-378x198.png 378w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/How_to_become_an_accountant_BM_-_FB-1024x538.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/How_to_become_an_accountant_BM_-_FB-770x404.png 770w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/How_to_become_an_accountant_BM_-_FB-600x315.png 600w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/How_to_become_an_accountant_BM_-_FB-390x205.png 390w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Study the right qualification. You might need more than just your degree. Find and pursue the right <\/span><a class=\"article-body-links\"href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/career-development-courses\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">professional development courses<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> like CPA to do.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Choose a specialty. There are so many options for you to choose from, do your research and find a field that you are passionate about. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get relevant work experience.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Skills_You_Must_Possess\"><\/span>Skills You Must Possess<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-7114 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/What_does_It_take_to_be_Accountant_-_FB.png\" alt=\"What it takes to be an accountant\" width=\"1200\" height=\"630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/What_does_It_take_to_be_Accountant_-_FB.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/What_does_It_take_to_be_Accountant_-_FB-378x198.png 378w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/What_does_It_take_to_be_Accountant_-_FB-1024x538.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/What_does_It_take_to_be_Accountant_-_FB-770x404.png 770w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/What_does_It_take_to_be_Accountant_-_FB-600x315.png 600w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/What_does_It_take_to_be_Accountant_-_FB-390x205.png 390w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Computer skills: Most accounting processes are done using a computer.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mathematical proficiency: You must know your way around numbers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Detail-oriented: Accuracy is critical.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Must be patient: You must have the patience to see projects through successfully.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Responsible and accountable: You should be able to be counted on to see a task through.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Accounting_Concepts_You_Must_be_Familiar_with\"><\/span>Key Accounting Concepts You Must be Familiar with<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-7116 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Accounting_concepts_to_be_familiar_with_BM_-_FB.png\" alt=\"Accounting concepts\" width=\"1200\" height=\"630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Accounting_concepts_to_be_familiar_with_BM_-_FB.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Accounting_concepts_to_be_familiar_with_BM_-_FB-378x198.png 378w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Accounting_concepts_to_be_familiar_with_BM_-_FB-1024x538.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Accounting_concepts_to_be_familiar_with_BM_-_FB-770x404.png 770w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Accounting_concepts_to_be_familiar_with_BM_-_FB-600x315.png 600w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Accounting_concepts_to_be_familiar_with_BM_-_FB-390x205.png 390w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Accounting practices and principles<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Financial data reporting and analysis<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Management accounts<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Auditing practices and principles<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Budgets<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Accounting softwares<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taxes and existing regulations<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Relevant accounting laws<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Accounting standards<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Common_Interview_Questions_in_an_Interview_for_an_Accounting_Position\"><\/span>Common Interview Questions in an Interview for an Accounting Position<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-7119 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Common_interview_questions_BM_-_FB-1.png\" alt=\"Common interview questions accounting\" width=\"1200\" height=\"630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Common_interview_questions_BM_-_FB-1.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Common_interview_questions_BM_-_FB-1-378x198.png 378w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Common_interview_questions_BM_-_FB-1-1024x538.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Common_interview_questions_BM_-_FB-1-770x404.png 770w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Common_interview_questions_BM_-_FB-1-600x315.png 600w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Common_interview_questions_BM_-_FB-1-390x205.png 390w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why did you choose accounting?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><b> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Key talking points<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mention your love for numbers (Your academic reports should concur with this)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mention your desire to help organizations keep good financial records, cut costs, develop workable financial strategies that will support the business and forecast trends for proper planning.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol start=\"2\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u00a0\u00a0Tell me about the most challenging task you have handled as an accountant.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><b> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Key talking points<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This question tests your experience and problem-solving capabilities<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are a fresh graduate looking for accounting jobs in Kenya, talk about your most challenging task during your internship and say how you faced this challenge.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have some level of experience, talk about your most challenging task. This challenge should be accounting-oriented.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol start=\"3\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Why did you apply to this company?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><b> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Key talking points<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Talk about the company. Prior <\/span><a class=\"article-body-links\"href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/researching-company\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">research<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> about your potential employer\u2019s company will come in handy at this point. Talk about how your skills and experience will help solve their current headaches. You can learn about their problems from company reviews and public company feedback.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Show your enthusiasm about joining their company.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Key talking points<\/b><\/p>\n<ol start=\"4\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0How do you ensure least chances of mistakes in your work?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your interviewer wants to know if you understand the sensitive nature of the position and the value attached to accuracy in accounting.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Talk about your cautious nature when creating reports and general accounting transactions and your need to confirm and double check calculations.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Also, show your efforts in consultations where you\u2019re not sure to ensure 100% accuracy and good practice in your tasks.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol start=\"5\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Which accounting standard is most recent? Are you familiar with any?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><b> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Key talking points<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is to test if your accounting practice is best industry practice and if you are updated on current trends. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ensure that you have knowledge of some current standards and softwares, even if you haven\u2019t interacted with them yet. It makes you look like a professional. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Honesty is the best policy here as you might be asked to show proficiency.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol start=\"6\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Have you used any accounting software before?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, you have a better chance at nailing accounting jobs in Kenya if;<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You have completed your CPAs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You have practical knowledge of at least one accounting software<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your high school and primary school grades in math are above average<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You are a member of a professional accounting body<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Accounting jobs in Kenya are among the most sought-after jobs. A quick look at the top jobs in 2018 revealed that Accounting and Finance was 3rd in the top 15 jobs. This could be due to the value that accounting professionals bring to an organisation. Accountants can work in the public or private sector, or [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":7113,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"content_author":[],"class_list":["post-7117","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-career-development"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7117","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7117"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7117\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7113"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7117"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7117"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7117"},{"taxonomy":"content_author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/content_author?post=7117"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}