Accountant and Bookkeeper Articles

There are various reasons why employers hire new employees. Regardless of the reason, many new employees are charged with the responsibility of making the changes necessary to increase the company’s profitability and success. If you’ve recently been hired as a bookkeeper or accountant, you may find yourself in that tricky predicament, one that can make it difficult to accomplish your objectives without first winning colleague support. So how do you move forward and fulfill your job description without stepping on too many toes? Here are six simple steps.

1. Research your new employer
First it’s important to know more about the company and the position you’re walking into. Often you can ask your new employer a few key questions before you start. Is the company currently experiencing success? Are they unsuccessful and looking for ways to change that? What was your predecessor’s temperament and approach? Was it appreciated? How much change is your supervisor expecting you to initiate? How does the staff respond to change? Are your colleagues sophomore or senior employees? The more you know before entering the situation, the better prepared you’ll be to succeed.

2. Determine which colleagues are resistors
Perhaps your supervisor will let you know which coworkers will demonstrate resistance at your proposed changes. If not, you should take some time to determine which, if any, colleagues may prove problematic. Study their demeanor and determine how you might win their support (see below) or at least deter them from causing too many waves.

3. Consider your delivery
The last thing your new colleagues want is a long diatribe on how bad the company was before you arrived and how your arrival marks glorious changes. In her article “How to Earn Support from New Colleagues,” Joan Lublin discusses the importance of dealing with colleagues diplomatically. She quotes Ben Dattner, a New York psychologist, who cautions new employees against being the cocky and bossy newbie. He says, “They push too hard, too fast and do it in a non-diplomatic way.” You need to sit back and get a feel for office dynamics and politics.

4. Find an influential mentor
You can gain support and receive helpful advice from an influential mentor. Find someone within the company who can help you acclimate to your new work environment. This individual should be a knowledgeable employee who is respected by coworkers.

5. Win over coworkers
Once you’ve determined who the resistors are you can start winning them over. Some just need to be involved in order to feel invested in your planned changes and provide their support. You may need to communicate regularly with others while others still may need evidence that the boss has requested you make these changes.

6. Renew your boss’s support
Depending on how things progress, you may request that your boss publicly renew his support of your plans. This may calm the naysayers and remind your colleagues of the company’s intentions to support you in your endeavors.

It is possible to win colleague support in a new work environment. Avoid being pushy or arrogant about your new position; take the time to study your colleagues and your responsibilities before proposing any changes. And as you involve your coworkers you may be surprised at just how quickly you become one of the gang.

References
Lublin, Joann. “How to Earn Support from New Colleagues.” CareerJournal.com.