Summary

The Need for Writing Skill in Accounting - 1990

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This article explores the reasons for the concern about writing skills in accounting. It focus on assesses the need for writing in large firms, operating in an increasingly competitive environment with new imperatives of client service and business development. In addition, it analyzes the specific kinds of writing professional accountants and the firms encourage good writing through their training, hiring, and evaluation practices.

In terms of need, communication skill among accounting field becomes the top. This article discusses whether writing skills in the accounting field are needed to be successful in public accounting or not. In addition, it shows the writing skills. Business is changing rapidly, and accounting firms should keep the step.

In the past, the role that writing plays in business organizations has already been a subject for research attention. Plus, other researchers also paid attention to writing weaknesses. Senior-level accountants had ranked writing skills first among the possible 57 skills that a certified public accountant should have. With this particular study, the context of writing is the focus. This study tries to figure out the writing problems and the study of writing by accountants in today’s business circumstance.

There are several findings in the writing skills of professional accountants. First, 80% of partners write at least one memo a day; second, in the course of a week, nearly all write a letter to a client, and two-thirds write a report or note to financial statement.

In conclusion, accounting firms do have a problem with the writing they produce. Accounting firms must change their views, see writing as a way of building a rapport with clients, of strengthening relationships by personally addressing needs.