Four Traits of a Great Accounting Manager

Great managers are like the golden eggs laid by Aesop's fabled goose. They have a significantly positive impact on the productivity and profitability of an accounting department or firm, but they can be pretty hard to come by. Luckily, a person stepping into a manager position can develop the traits that will help him or her become an effective leader.

1. Excellent communication skills: Communication is the glue that holds a team together. Good communication can propel a team to unimaginable heights of achievement, while poor communication can leave staff members floundering. A policy of open and honest communication can make it easier to tend to your manager responsibilities and develop good employees. In addition to stating instructions and expectations clearly, don't be stingy with the praise when employees do something right. Equally, when an employee missteps, take corrective action as soon as possible to prevent the issue from dragging the entire accounting team down.

2. Good decision-making skills: A person in a manager position must be able to make good decisions for the team and the company. This trait requires the use of several different skills, of which the most important is listening. Solicit feedback from employees and use active listening skills when talking to them. Although you may have several things vying for your attention, try to focus exclusively on what the employee is saying. When you have a decision to make, gather together as much information as you can to help you make the best call for the situation.

3. Calm and collected: When the best-laid plans go awry, it's usually the person in the manager position who is suddenly thrust into the spotlight. Whether the issue at hand is an employee having a meltdown in the break room, or the firm's failure to secure a coveted account, you must keep a cool head. Staying calm will help you make better decisions, alleviate volatile situations, and provide a positive example for employees to follow.

4. Personable: While a manager position may come with a fancy title, at the end of the day, you are a person working with other people to achieve a common goal. Great managers are empathetic and generally nice people to be around, and they often have good senses of humor. Although a certain level of decorum is expected of a person in a manager position, that doesn't mean you have to be a robot. Be real (but professional) with employees, and they will likely feel comfortable working under you.

While some people are naturally talented at leading others and tackling manager responsibilities, that doesn't mean that they are the only ones who can be excellent managers. By making an effort to learn and improve on the skills and traits of great leaders, you can also be successful in your manager position.

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