Critical thinking skills for accountants are nothing like the unconscious kind of thinking that we engage in on a daily basis. It takes more than doing those things that we do without thinking.
Critical thinking for accountants takes conscious effort and can either be done correctly or badly. One cannot fully harness the potential of new generation accountant without picking up the rudiments of critical thinking skills.
In this article on critical thinking skills for accountants, I have attempted to put the message across to the readers in as simple manner as possible. Simple plain language is used to ensure that the aim of this post; which is to explore critical thinking skills for accountants is not defeated. Relax and enjoy the rest of this piece.
Types of thinking that Accountants can engage in
- Reasoning: this is inquisitive in nature. Complex problems are solved through logical reasoning.
- Brain storming: brain storming involves two or more thinkers. Real problems can be solved using this technique of collective thinking. Brain storming session is a tool used in lean six sigma to help streamline a process.
- Worrying: this is probably the worst type of thinking that one will ever engage in. nothing good come from worrying, in fact, worrying is a killer that must be avoided at all cost. Research has shown that worrying is the major cause of most chronic diseases. Although sometimes reality of life sets in thereby making one to unconsciously start worrying, but that still does not make worrying a good thing.
- Creative thinking: this is when you allow your imagination to go wild without any major obstacle. This kind of thinking yields outstanding results. The only problem is that not very many people have the capacity to think creatively.
- Reflection: reflection is the act of pondering over things that have happened. It does not matter if you were involved in the event or not. This kind of thinking is employed when seeking answers to things of the past.
How to pick up critical thinking skills for accountants
- Indiscriminately reading wide: critical thinking skills are subconsciously picked up through voracious reading. All your readings should not centered around accounting and finance as doing so will only narrow your ability to think outside the box. This is one of the main reasons why professional accountancy bodies like ACCA have variety of topics in their syllabus.
- Being open to street gimmicks: street smartness is what makes the difference between being able to think critically and not being able to think critically. Some people call this ‘commercial awareness’ but I chose to call it being open to street gimmicks as it can sometimes take more than being commercially aware of certain situation to be able to handle rough situation.
- Listening more than you talk: this is important not just in https://www.accountantnextdoor.com/how-to-acquire-accounting-information-system-ais/acquiring accounting critical skills but any soft skill required by an accountant for that matter. You take in more when you listen than when you talk.
- Actively seeking situations that requires critical thinking: talents and skills are nothing when not utilised. To hone your critical thinking skills as an accountant, you must actively look for opportunities to showcase what you have got talent wise.
- Analysing and learning from industry leaders: the knowledge base of industry leaders is always a goldmine. I find it hard to believe that a lot of people still don’t get this.
- Asking more questions: philosophers generally believe that questions are more important than their answers. Well, I am not a philosopher but, I totally agree with this. The right kind of questions opens up the thinking path in the human subsystem and supercharges them for optimal performance.
- Forming the habit of observing some quiet time: everything thing that we enjoy today were conceived as ideas in quiet times. Critical thinking skills are developed in quiet times. It wouldn’t do you any harm if you make it a routine to observe some quiet time.
I believe that this article on critical thinking skills for accountants have changed your perspective on the subject matter. A lot of people have this notion that being an accountant is all about crunching numbers without pausing to make sense out of the numbers.
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