The 8 P’s of an Effective Accounting Manager:

Do You Have What It Takes?

Being promoted to accounting manager is quite a feat. This means you’ve proven to your boss that you are a competent and responsible accountant who can be trusted to manage other accountants. Unfortunately, like most accounting managers, you’ve been trained as an accountant, and not as a manager. So how do you rise to the position? Experience will provide you with the best schooling, but to avoid major obstacles and find success more quickly, here’s a crash course in managing that will put you on the right track.

1. Permit others to do their jobs
Because you’re a good accountant, it’s tempting to look over shoulders and micromanage a time or two. But remember, your new job is more about managing than it is about accounting. You can best promote success by enabling your team to succeed. This means that rather than telling them how to do their job (which you might occasionally have to do), you enable them to do the best job they can. Be sure they have the resources they need, eliminate unrealistic deadlines, and, if possible, provide them with proper training. You need to change your mindset and see yourself as a facilitator.

2. Provide vision and support
Good managers inspire success with clear vision. In essence you are the sage for your department, they will look to you to get the long range vision as well as the details in the minutae of each task. It is your job to look to the future and envision positive changes within your department. Once you’ve shared this vision, you need to provide your team with the necessary support to accomplish the vision.

3. Practice good communication
Without good communication skills, you’ll find it difficult to lead your team anywhere, because without clear direction they won’t know where to go. You must clearly communicate your vision, your objectives, and your expectations. Facilitate the communication with your team. Don’t become the “preacher” but the “teacher” or your team will quickly tune you out. Communication runs both ways; you must listen well and engage in productive discussions with your team.

4. Pilot< your team
It is the Captain of the ship that has the wheel, and your department is no different. Someone has to steer the department, and as the accounting manager, that would be you. The first requirement in becoming a good leader, is in having the confidence to lead your team. Recognize that you were promoted to this job for a reason, and if you don’t have confidence in yourself right now, at least trust that your boss does. If you see yourself as “one of the accountants,” working shoulder to shoulder with everyone else, the team you manage will see you that way as well. You must take charge and lead your other team members along to the goals set for the department.

5. Plan for success
Who set’s the goals for the department? Sure, sometimes the goals come down from above you, but most of the time you and your team will have the discretion to set goals that you can not only meet, but stretch your abilities as a group. It’s cliché because it’s true: if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Managers look ahead, anticipating difficulties, critical events, and opportunities to move forward. If you want to succeed, you must take the time to evaluate the department’s current standing and make plans for improvement.

6. Pose questions
How could we change this procedure to save time? What about the current system is/isn’t working? What can we do this year to increase the company’s tax deductions? Asking questions is a good way to boost success. Don’t be afraid to question the way things have been done, or even the changes you have made upon becoming a manager. If you give yourself permission to question, you’re giving yourself permission to improve.

7. Problem-solve
Much of your job as accounting manager will be dedicated to putting out fires. Learn to problem-solve and resolve conflict with as little smoke as possible. If necessary, read up on critical thinking skills and negotiation. Always search to hear before you seek to be heard. Many times a difficult situation is mitigated just by the composure the manager has in the situation.

8. Protect your employees
You provide a buffer between your team and the BOSS. I remember being cornered by my boss for the approach I took on an important project. I was relieved when my manager stepped forward in my defense. We talked about this project extensively, he explained, and I made it clear that I trusted him to complete this project using this approach. Imagine how my loyalty for this manager increased when I realized he was on my side. Obviously, there may be times when a member of your team makes bad choices and needs to be held accountable. But you should see yourself as an advocate for those you manage.

Becoming a manager can certainly be daunting, but give yourself the time to learn how to manage, realizing that this new position is very different from your role as accountant. With a little time, and the 8 P’s of managing success, you’ll find that maybe you’re more of a natural than you first thought.

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