Teamwork for Accounting and Finance Professionals

The ability to work in a team is a key skill needed for accounting and finance professionals. Teams can range in size and complexity from a team of hundreds of people managed by an engagement partner responsible for the audit of a multi-national organisation, to a team comprised of two accountants working on a project for their manager.

Teamwork skills encompass many things which are essential in today’s business environment, and are one of the top characteristics that employers look for in potential new recruits. Issues relating to teamwork, such as ensuring the competence of the team and the importance of supervision, are closely linked to quality control; and for accounting and finance professionals, especially those providing assurance services, demonstrating compliance with relevant quality control regulations will always be of the utmost importance.

• Understand how to establish a team
• Develop an understanding of effective teams
• Identify objectives for teams and individuals
• Address conflicts within a team
• Understand how to manage a team remotely
• Give appropriate feedback to a team

Why is teamwork important?
• How is teamwork defined?
• Why is teamwork linked to quality control?
• What are the dynamics involved in establishing a team?
• What makes an effective team?

Establishing the team
• How are team members selected?
• Why is competence a crucial issue in terms of quality control?
• How are goals or objectives for the team and the team members established?
• According to which criteria should tasks be allocated and delegated in the team?
• How can good working relationships within the team be established?

Directing and supervising the team
• Why are direction and supervision important?
• How can good leadership of the team be ensured?
• Why is good communication important?
• How can conflicts within the team be addressed?
• What challenges are faced when managing a team remotely?

Reviewing work and performance appraisals
• Why is the review stage so important when working in a team?
• What are the benefits of reviews and performance appraisals?
• How is a thorough review stage planned and executed?
• How should feedback be given to team members?
• What is the outcome of an appraisal?

This course is designed to appeal to people working in the accounting and finance industry within a team.

Lisa Weaver is a professionally qualified lecturer with 15 years experience of exam-based, and CPD lecturing for accounting and finance professionals. She qualified ACA with Deloittes, and spent 4 years in audit practice. She currently lectures in financial reporting, audit and governance subjects, and develops and delivers CPD courses for qualified accountants working in industry and in practice.