Globalization and increased corporate regulations are directly impacting the way corporations operate. Challenges that did not exist previously are now forcing these businesses to create cross-functional units in order to connect the companies’ professionals from an operational and strategic perspective, and create dynamic problem-solving teams.
This new team-oriented approach is a turning out to be a great career opportunity for accounting professionals, who are being sought out to oversee various aspects of these teams. Using their accounting knowledge, accounting professionals are being tapped because they are technically trained and are able to serve as subject-matter experts. As a member of the team, you will not only be given the opportunity to enhance your accounting skills, but you will gain valuable experience that may help you get promoted.
To be prepared to serve on a cross-functional team, you should:
- Be a role player: whether your role is to inform others about various accounting procedures or to serve as a sounding board for technical matters, it is vital that you understand your role and position within the group. Overstepping your bounds will only frustrate other members of the team.
- Be flexible: when working in a team environment, unforeseen challenges are bound to occur. Unlike the numbers you’re used to working with, people can be unpredictable. Therefore, it is important that you understand from the start that plans will inevitably change, solutions will have to be altered, and you won’t always get your way. Know that not every battle should be fought, and that you should be making decisions that benefit the team as a whole. Ultimately, you must be ready to roll with the punches.
- Support the team: as previously stated, the objective of every member of the group should be the success of the team. Act accordingly. When the team does accomplish its goal, you don’t want to be seen as the only member who was difficult and unsupportive. Acting in such a way can be detrimental to your career. Also, be willing to volunteer for extra assignments to show your dedication to the team.
- Promote collaboration: be a role model and try to ensure that all team members work together to accomplish the task. Make sure everyone’s opinion is heard, and serve as a group unifier by helping team members reach a consensus if there are disagreements.
- Possess superior communication skills: while it is important to voice your thoughts or ideas, you don’t want to be the only person who is speaking. Make sure that everyone has the opportunity to say what they’d like to. Also, if you are explaining something related to accounting, make sure you say it in a way that everyone — even those people who don’t have accounting backgrounds — will understand.
