7 Tips to Train Your Accounting Staff
Many businesses focus on growing their accounting teams — and they should! But true personnel success comes not just from adding numbers, but by empowering and developing the talent you already have on board.
Investing in your team’s skills isn’t just a good idea — it’s a best practice backed by industry leaders. Whether it’s through in-house training or external opportunities, upskilling your accounting team can yield long-term benefits for your organization’s efficiency and bottom line.
Here are some expert-backed tips to help train and elevate your accounting staff.
7 Tips for Training Your Accounting Staff
1. Provide Tailored Professional Development Plans
Not all accountants have the same career goals or learning needs. Create individualized development plans that align with both the employee’s aspirations and the company’s goals.
Include milestones such as earning certifications — like Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA) or Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) — attending leadership workshops, and/or specializing in advanced accounting software. Offering financial support for exams, study materials or memberships to professional organizations like the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) can motivate employees.
2. Offer Cross-Training Opportunities
Expand your team’s skill sets by exposing them to other departments or areas within accounting, such as tax preparation, payroll or forensic accounting. Cross-training promotes collaboration and makes your team more versatile. For example, a small or midsize firm could offer monthly shadowing sessions where accountants observe colleagues in other specialties.
3. Leverage Technology and Tools for Training
Accounting software and tools evolve constantly. Stay ahead by providing your team with hands-on training in industry-leading tools such as QuickBooks and Xero, or ERP systems.
Worried that you can afford the software but might not be able to provide additional training? Many software providers offer free webinars and certifications. Companies such as Intuit (Intuit QuickBooks Training) and Xero (Xero Central) update their learning portals with tutorials and other helpful training materials.
4. Host Regular Knowledge-Sharing Sessions
Peer-led learning not only helps pass along information, but it also fosters a culture of collaboration. Encourage team members to share expertise through presentations on topics such as regulatory changes, audit techniques or software tips. You can schedule these as, say, part of monthly meetings, or as short weekly “lunch-and-learn” sessions.
5. Invest in Leadership Training for Senior Staff
If you have senior accountants on your team, consider leadership or management training programs to prepare them for supervisory roles. Not only can this help smooth the expansion of your staff as you grow, but strong, skilled leadership generally improves team performance and morale.
6. Take Advantage of Online Training Platforms
Platforms including Coursera, Udemy and LinkedIn Learning offer specialized accounting and finance courses, offering an affordable and flexible way to upskill your staff. Let team members explore areas like advanced Excel skills, financial modeling or data analytics.
While some of these courses are free, companies should reimburse employees for any completed courses that charge a fee.
7. Provide Feedback and Recognize Growth
This goes for just about any department in your business, but you can make training a continuous process by regularly conducting reviews — somewhat frequently; say, once a quarter — where progress is discussed. Also, make sure that you’re celebrating achievements, such as certifications or completed courses, to boost morale and encourage continued learning.
Want More Personalized Advice for Your Accounting Staff?
Training isn’t a one-time activity; it’s an investment in your company’s future. By focusing on continuous learning and skill-building, you can create a stronger, more versatile accounting team ready to tackle any challenge.
McManamon & Co. can help. Our accounting services don’t just include tasks such as creating financial statements and maintaining records — we can also help you develop your staff. We train personnel in accounting best practices, help companies implement and utilize accounting software programs and more.
Find out how we can help you build your accounting staff. Call us at 440.892.8900 or contact us online.
Tags: accounting, McManamon, McManamon & Co., small business, small business accounting, training | Posted in accounting, McManamon & Co.