SURVIVAL PACKAGE 1: DIGITAL SKILLS
In this digital and information era, the relevance of technology in the money industry (Accounting, Business, Finance, and the likes) cannot be overemphasised. Systems are being updated every day; things are improved on, on a daily basis; technology is taking steps into the future. Technology proves relevant in financial reporting, using accounting packages (Peachtree, sage 50, and the likes). It is also relevant in areas of performance management/measurement in manufacturing industries. Technology is used to create systems of controls to monitor inventory and other forms of working capital.
One of the demands of every employer from personnel in the
money industry is ICT skills,
proficiency in using Office packages (MS word, Excel, PowerPoint…). Of course, we
cannot but say, it is a must-learn, even when the educational system does not
implement it thoroughly. The educational sector may try its bits, but it’s
never enough to meet the demands of the labour market.
It is however painful that many individuals, although they
possess the theoretical knowledge of accounting, business, economics and
finance, but do not have essential skills to buttress this knowledge. They do
not have the skills to express this knowledge. Skill acquisition is assumed to
be necessary and should not be prompted before one takes on them.
In essence, the digital space and skills required from money
personnel are beyond the regular MS word, excel and PowerPoint. Your knowledge
as an accountant goes beyond using accounting packages.
Have you not thought; with the rate at which technology develops,
will technology experts and developers, or maybe robots, not take your jobs
from you?
You may have, you may have not. Nonetheless, it will
interest you to know that the accounting packages are designed to ease stress
and make the work of the user easy. He/she does not need to have so much
knowledge on accounting processes and double entry to use it. Although, its
current use may still require little to knowledge to sort information, analyse
and report thereafter. Notwithstanding, it is easier and more efficient that
the use of paper and pen.
I tell people, “Everything In life is not about today, you
should consider the future implications. Whatever action you take today, will
have implications in the future.” The future could be tomorrow, months’
time, or many years after.
Technology is more advanced as the day goes by. The little
hitches you see today in accounting software can be fixed tomorrow and would be
updated. There will be systems to do the analysis that made you relevant.
What am I implying?
You have people from the science and technology industries
coming to learn from us. They take our professional exams and get certified.
They are more relevant. We hate to acknowledge, or admire the mediocritic
behaviour to stand and say, “They don’t know the finance more than us; we have
been in this since”. Fact remains, if you acknowledge that you are better off,
that they are more relevant than you are, who is focused on one area. At least,
they have double knowledge, why you have one. This is no beef. it is fact!
Make yourself relevant! Learn from them, as they are doing.
Understand their systems; it is of course, a feather to your hat, and you are
not left behind.
Learn programming, learn coding, and learn website creation.
Improve on your digital skills if you have gained a little. Digital skills, as
I said earlier, is more than MS word and Excel. You should be relevant in your
career and in the labour market.
Fintech companies thrive today because of the presence of
both IT personnel and Finance personnel. Fintech is a branch of finance that
uses technology to achieve its goals E.G. Cowrywise, PiggyVest, Riby Finance
and so on. Nowadays, Fintech companies are not looking for different Finance
and Tech experts. Rather, they are looking for 2-in-1 personnel. It will profit
one who is knowledgeable in both areas, than one who is focused on one. You
don’t have to fear retrenchment in your case, because you have made yourself
relevant.
Stand out! Be employable. Sharpen your skills. Think future.
Where do you see technology in the next few years? What do
you have to say concerning the digital space in years to come?
About fifteen (15) years before now, there have been pleas
to improve on skills and learn new ones. There has been need to be relevant in
the digital space. The use of MS packages were not a criteria for employment,
so many did not invest their time to learning them. Today, many of those who
ignored the call to learn skills in the digital space are now unemployed or are
not getting the satisfaction they desire from jobs. Moreover, are now rushing
to learn skills they should have learnt years ago.
Everything today is now digitalised. Paper and pen system
are gradually fading away. Even the medium you use to read this is digital. You
see why it is important to develop your digital skills.
Learn skills; develop yourself.
Please Note: I am not indulging you to rush into taking
courses and learning skills. I am trying to open your eyes to opportunities of
the future. Be careful with your choices and commitments. Please, organise
yourself; be calm. Keep learning the skills required in today’s world, they
remain important. Learn skills required
of the future. Be smart about it.
I am sure this was an eye-opening session. Ensure you follow
the series here on ‘The money corner’ www.mformoneyschool.blogspot.com.
You can also read my article on Becoming relevant in the years to come - https://www.mformoneyschool.blogspot.com/2020/01/becoming-globally-relevant-in-years-to.html
#Moneyindustry #Survivalpackage #Iamemployable
#Themoneycorner #Labourmarket #Enterprise #Accounting #Business #Finance
#Digital #Future #Skills
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