• Understand emerging skills

“In today’s market, adaptability and willingness to learn are crucial,” says Calder. “If you leave things for too long, it will be harder to get across any new skills.”

• Investigate industry trends

“For accountants, it could be regulatory changes, the impact of AI and ethics, blockchain – any of those sorts of things,” says Calder.

• Assess what skills will be most relevant in the next three to five years

“AI, critical thinking, ethical judgment, all those things are indispensable,” says Calder. “Skills that will be in demand across the board and across industries, not just in accounting, will be things such as communication skills and relationship-building skills. I call them our human skills. Those skills are the ones I know will be in high demand in the future.”

Calder adds that anyone in a senior role knows the importance of communication when there’s a critical problem – it could be with a client or key company. A human – their character and problem-solving skills – is needed to find a solution.

“It is one thing to resolve the actual problem, but the issue of customer confidence and trust might linger, and that’s the human element and trust,” she says.

• Analyse your strengths and weaknesses

Undertake a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats), but don’t do it by yourself, Calder advises. “Be selective and ask for professional input, don’t just go to your mates. Ask someone you respect and give them permission to deliver feedback that might be sensitive – and when you receive that feedback, remember to thank them.”

• Understand where you want to evolve to

You need to have a goal in mind rather than just drifting along.

“Often when we get stuck in our job, it’s because we love something we did three years ago, and we’re still doing it and something’s not quite right anymore,” says Calder.

• Understand your capacity

Be realistic – investing in yourself often requires additional time and effort outside of work hours, explains Calder.

“People sometimes say ‘I really want to do that’ but then they can’t fulfil it because they just don’t have the capacity. It might require additional support at home or time to study and learn.” she says.

• Communicate your goals to the people who are important

Letting the right people know your goals and the fact you want to develop new skills can put you on their radar and open up opportunities.

“That could be your team, that could be your manager,” says Calder. “Or it could be seeking a mentorship or putting your hand up for projects that stretch you and that will give you the additional skills you seek.”

• Identify your strengths and what you love doing

“If you love something, you’re going to put more effort into it,” says Calder.

She cites the example of an accountant at a mid-tier firm who realized she had strengths in communication and technology, so signed up for training in analytics and public speaking. She then volunteered to help with in-house training, even though it wasn’t part of her normal workload.

It paid off.

“Her company then opened up a new division, a consulting arm,” says Calder. “She was given a leadership role and was able to do more client interfacing, which is what she loved.”

If you’re looking to step up and take control of your professional future, CA Capability+ is an established resource that offers career guidance. This online program offers a range of options to help you assess your strengths and weaknesses and identify what’s missing from your skill set.

Completing a CA Capability+ assessment delivers instant feedback about your strengths and outlines potential development opportunities. You can then build a personalized development plan to grow the capabilities you need to stay ahead in either your current or future roles.