Accounting firms have experienced significant growth over the past few years. In the year ended December 31, 2021, nine of the country’s largest accounting firms employed close to 7700 people between them. That’s up about 9% from 2019, and 11% up on 2020.
When it comes to hiring an accountant, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Every business has different needs, and therefore, each accountant must be individually selected. One of the best ways to find the perfect accountant for your company is to use a disc profile. A disc profile measures an individual’s behavioural characteristics and compares them against the ideal accounting candidate. This article will teach you how to use a disc profile to select the ideal accounting candidate for your business!
What Personality Type is Good for Accounting?
As with many professions, the best personality type for an accountant is not entirely straightforward. There are essential traits an accounting manager possesses, such as people skills, problem-solving, strategic planning, and organisational skills. However, an accountant focusing on bookkeeping may require different traits.
When it comes to DISC personality assessments, various traits could work well in differing job roles, and choosing a person with an ideal DISC profile misses the point. The DISC profile is an educational tool to guide workplace interactions and behaviours unique to every individual. It can help a hiring manager adjust the work environment to the individual’s personality type so they can succeed no matter what personality type they have.
The key is to learn as much as possible about the accountant during the interview process and use the DISC profile as a starting point for further discussion. With this information, the hiring manager can make an informed decision about whether or not the accountant is a good fit for the organisation.
For example, if you are looking to hire an I, they may possess different characteristics to a C profile. An I accountant personality type is likely to be more outgoing, friendly, and talkative than a C accountant profile. They may also be less interested in working with numbers and more interested in working with people. If you are looking for an accountant who is good with people and has strong interpersonal skills, then you would look for someone with a high I profile.
In comparison, a C profile account is much more comfortable working independently with lots of data and figures. They likely have greater attention to detail and maybe more analytical and logical in their thinking. If you are looking to hire an accountant who is good with numbers and has strong analytical skills, then you would look for someone with a high C profile.
When it comes to selecting the ideal accounting candidate, using a disc profile can be extremely helpful in understanding how a potential candidate will fit the job role and the workplace culture. It is important to remember that no one personality type is better than another and that each individual has their own unique set of skills and traits which can be an asset to your business.
When selecting the ideal accounting candidate, all four personality types can have strengths and weaknesses that make them a good fit for the job. However, there are certain traits that are more important for success in an accounting role.
What Behavioural Attributes are Best for an Accountant?
The accountant personality type is often thought of as methodical, accurate and logical. However, there are a few key accountant attributes that are essential for success, which includes:
- Analytical skills
- Attention to detail
- Problem-solving skills
- Organisational skills
- Strategic planning skills
- Communication skills
Analytical skills
As an accountant, it’s vital to have excellent analytical skills. An accountant needs to understand complex financial data and use this information to make sound decisions.
Attention to detail
As an accountant, you must pay strict attention to detail. Even minor mistakes can cause significant financial consequences for businesses or individuals.
Problem-solving skills
Problem-solving skills are a vital accountant attribute as they often need to find solutions to complex financial issues.
Organisational skills
Strong organising abilities are a significant plus if you want to work in accounting. Accountants must maintain financial information and other data as organised as possible to limit the chance of mistakes and to guarantee that they can locate what they need quickly.
Strategic planning skills
Strategic planning skills are a vital accountant attribute as they need to be able to plan and make long-term financial decisions.
Communication skills
Communication is one of the soft skills that may not appear to be particularly crucial for accountants. However, being an accountant involves explaining money and financial information to clients or coworkers who are unfamiliar with accounting concepts. You’ll be a great accountant if you’re excellent at describing complex or confusing subjects in basic, easy-to-understand words.
While each accountant personality type has its own unique set of strengths and weaknesses, the key is to find an accountant with a strong combination of the above traits. With these qualities, they will be well equipped to handle the demands of an accounting role and excel in their career.
What is the Best Personality Type for Accountants
The average accountant tends to be exacting, organised, and cautious in behaviour. They are likely to support others, seek stable routines, and appreciate constructive feedback. Though they value their privacy, they enjoy spending time with the people they love most. While no one DISC profile guarantees success as an assistant, certain personality traits may make an individual more likely to perform well in the role. These include:
- Low D – a low D accountant would ideally prefer to learn all the facts before planning out strategies and making decisions.
- Low I – A low I accountant would prefer to work independently and build trusting relationships with clients.
- High S – A high S accountant is reliable, systematic, and organised in their work tasks.
- High C – A high C accountant likes to follow procedures. They are insistent on precision and accuracy in their work.
While all four personality types can have strengths and weaknesses that make them a good fit, those with a high SC profile tend to excel in accounting roles. This is because they possess many of the key qualities essential for success in this field, such as attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and organisational skills. If you are looking for an accountant who is good with numbers and has strong analytical skills, then you would look for someone with a high SC profile.
What is the Best Personality Test for Accountants
Valid and reliable personality and ability tests are a great way to assess important soft skills associated with success in accounting roles. The Extended DISC® Accounting Assessment is a great personality test to evaluate the personality type of your candidates. Extended DISC® focuses on the behaviours and traits associated with success in accounting. The accountant personality test is an online test that takes around 15 minutes to complete. The report provides a detailed analysis of the individual’s personality type and includes recommendations for development.
If you are looking for a reliable and valid accountant personality test to assess your candidates, the Extended DISC® Accounting Assessment is a great option. This test will help you identify the key behaviours and traits associated with success in this field and provide you with insights into how to best develop your team.
