A mentor is someone who can guide you, support you, and challenge you in your accounting career. Having a mentor can help you develop your skills, expand your network, and achieve your goals. But how can you find a mentor and make the most of the relationship? Here are some tips to help you get started.
The first step is to find a mentor who is a good fit for you. You can look for a mentor within your organization, your professional association, your alumni network, or your online community. You can also ask for referrals from your colleagues, friends, or professors. Look for someone who has the experience, knowledge, and personality that you admire and respect. You can also consider having more than one mentor for different aspects of your career.
To find a mentor - in the sense of someone who can validate and/or contrast your view and ideas is important. Also, it is paramount to make a difference between a mentor and a role model - the last one should be not a person, but a combination of good references usually found in different professionals. The mentor will help validate and support the path to become that "person", which is a combination of several features of several professionals
The most valuable advice / lessons you'll receive from a great mentor have nothing to do with your day-to-day work. Seek out mentor(s) whose life and work you admire and seek to understand and learn about both. Understand that no two paths are the same, but you can learn what paths you want to head down and avoid.
I am of the opinion that the first thing to do, in finding a mentor, is to understand yourself and where you are at, in your career. This will help you in identifying who or what your mentor should look like, the qualities and characters he must possess.
As you start out your career in accounting, you need to determine what your goals are. In my experience, having defined goals makes it easier to find the right mentor. Don’t restrict yourself to internal mentors. Having mentors external to your organization can be beneficial as well.
Selection of mentor is vital part of the mentorship journey. Accounting is a vast field and that too if you are through with the basics. Select the mentor who can spare time. While the profile of the mentor may be the strongest draw, keep in mind he or she should be reachable and approachable. Having multiple mentor is good but if the mentors have same specialisation there may be a situation of conflicting opinions..
Once you have identified a potential mentor, you need to set clear expectations for the relationship. You should discuss how often you will communicate, what topics you will cover, what goals you have, and what feedback you want. You should also agree on how you will measure your progress and evaluate the effectiveness of the mentoring. You should also respect your mentor's time and availability, and be flexible and adaptable to their schedule and preferences.
Ask the mentor to point out your strengths and weaknesses, and then act on the advice, even if you think it doesn't apply to you.
Tell the mentor that you’d like to be groomed to be as skillful as him or her so that you can contribute back to the community when you stand to be a good accountant & in turn groom others to provide continuity of highly skilled manpower in the accounting industry when you are in a good position to be a mentor.
Estabelecer uma comunica??o clara e objetiva é importante na sua fase inicial. Nessa fase é importante fazer alguns acordos, como horários definidos de reuni?es, o plano com os objetivos e suas respectivas a??es, e entre outros. Desse modo tanto o mentor quanto a pessoa mentorada consegue identificar o avan?o ou o que precisa alterar para alcan?ar os objetivos.
Doing a SWOT analysis of oneself is a great idea before beginning the mentoring. It can act as baseline for future. More specific the expectations better is the outcome. Be open to ask and hear with an open mind.
Your expectations depends on your goals. Create the list of steps that needs that helps you to achieve your goal and then you have your clear expectations.
A successful mentoring relationship requires you to be proactive and take initiative. You should prepare for each meeting with your mentor, and have specific questions, challenges, or achievements to share. You should also follow up on any action items or suggestions that your mentor gives you, and report back on the results. You should also seek out opportunities to learn from your mentor, such as shadowing them, joining them in meetings or events, or asking for referrals or introductions.
Absolutely, effective communication is a two-way street. Being proactive allows you to fully grasp each session and seize opportunities in the current market. Continuously challenge yourself to grow and improve, seeking guidance from your mentor to help refine your skills and become the best version of yourself. .
Be proactive and engaged: Ask thoughtful questions, actively listen to your mentor's advice, and take notes during your meetings. Be open and honest: Share your challenges, concerns, and areas where you feel you need the most support. Be respectful of your mentor's time: Come prepared and be mindful of the time allotted for your meetings. Take initiative: Don't wait for your mentor to reach out to you. Proactively schedule meetings, share updates on your progress, and ask for additional guidance when needed. Be receptive to feedback: Be open to constructive criticism and actively seek your mentor's feedback
I agree that In order to learn and understand in any given field one needs to have a proactive approach. That means asking frequent relevant questions, visiting seminars and becoming part of discussion groups.
Absolutely hard work & having diligence to learn to achieve independence from the mentor once the objective is met should be the mentee’s goal. So mentee has to do his or her part & not leave everything to the mentor on the pretext that you are just learning. Partnership with mentor under his or her guidance or supervision so to speak will be the best way of learning.
Keeping yourself proactive by participating in each and everything task that you and your mentor in performing is the best method. Because it leads to discussions, questions, analysis, thinkings and others by which we can be proactive.
A key part of being mentored is being open to feedback, advice, and constructive criticism. You should listen actively to what your mentor has to say, and ask for clarification or examples if needed. You should also be willing to try new things, explore different perspectives, and step out of your comfort zone. You should also be honest with your mentor about your strengths, weaknesses, challenges, and aspirations, and trust them to support you and help you grow.
Be ready to listen things that you are not ready for. Don′t reply right away. Take note, take a deep breath, the person is not saying it to hurt you, it is just a perspective that must be taken into consideration.
Even feedback delivered in a constructive manner can sometimes be hard to hear. The key is to come from a perspective of growth then the perspective of “not enough”. We all have strengths and weaknesses and we are all on a continuous improvement path. Reflect on the way and how led to a feedback and then discuss with your mentor. Be open with you mentor on what comes innate to you and what you struggle with so you can achieve a balance and choose the right path to invest it.
Honesty is the starting point. A solid mentor wants to work with you and guide you through your challenges. In order to do that you will need to be open and honest about what you are struggling with and then listen to the advice and support.
3. Listen and Learn: Be open to receiving feedback and advice from your mentor. Actively listen to their experiences and insights. Learn from their successes and failures, and apply those lessons to your own career.
é importante estar aberto à receber feedbacks, de forma que isso n?o absorva como desmotiva??o. é em meio aos desafios em que o verdadeiro profissional encontra a sua verdadeira capacidade. Estes retornos devem ser aceitos como um combustível para a qualifica??o profissional.
A mentoring relationship is not a one-way street. You should also look for ways to give back to your mentor, and show your appreciation and gratitude. You can do this by sharing your insights, achievements, and learnings with them, and acknowledging their role in your success. You can also offer your help, feedback, or support to your mentor, and show interest in their goals and challenges. You can also refer them to other potential mentees, or endorse them in your network.
A troca de experiências e sabedoria é a chave para um desenvolvimento saldável. Pois somos humanos, n?o seres absolutos. Assim, sempre temos algo a aprender e a agregar. Passar a diante o que se sabe. Intender que seu mentor é t?o humano quanto você é importante, embora seja evidente a experiência, sempre se pode aprender algo novo.
Mentor mentee relationship should be mutually beneficial to make the relationship dynamic, interesting & providing a learning curve experience. For example, accounting is applied in banking as well. A new start accountant with investment banking background can share with the mentor on how certain accounting principles are applied in the banking sector to benefit the banking community as a whole.
Appreciate the milestone, give thanks, ask them to give you tasks that you can handle on their behalf to reduce workload. Mention them in your professional forums and recognise them on your important days .
The mentor also enhances their soft skills. Even when one side of the relationship holds more technical knowledge and experience, the exchange in human connection enriches both parties. It is a mutual growth, where expertise is shared, but the warmth and wisdom exchanged make the mentorship journey resonate beyond just professional development. It is a dance of knowledge and humanity, creating a ripple effect of positive influence. So feel free to share about your experiences too. #MentorshipMagic
It's useful for everyone to have feedback. This is something, if asked by mentors, is the best way to give back. Mentees who offer to give back are being good to the entire community as they continue the chain of 'giving'
A mentoring relationship does not have to end when you reach your goals or move on to a new role or organization. You should keep in touch with your mentor, and maintain a lasting connection. You can do this by updating them on your career progress, seeking their advice on new challenges or opportunities, or inviting them to celebrate your milestones or achievements. You can also continue to learn from them, and seek their guidance on your long-term career development.
Maintaining a mentorship beyond initial objectives is vital for sustained professional growth. Regular updates on your career journey, seeking advice, and celebrating milestones foster a lifelong support system. Consistent communication through various channels keeps the relationship vibrant, ensuring relevant guidance and support. Expressing gratitude and reciprocating support solidify the bond, while mentors provide valuable insights for navigating new roles and fostering innovative thinking in your evolving career. Ultimately, a mentor-mentee relationship is a dynamic partnership, thriving on continuous engagement, mutual respect, and shared growth.
Absolutely keep in touch. A mentor doesn't have to end a place of employment. Mentors can be life long relationships that cover career growth, information/knowledge/education advancement and be an added resource for all areas of life.
Show appreciation: Express your gratitude for your mentor's time and guidance. Consider offering to help them in return, if appropriate. Maintain communication: Stay in touch with your mentor even outside of formal meetings. Share updates on your career progress, ask for advice on specific challenges, or simply connect to maintain the relationship.
Time is the most valuable asset from a professional. Use it wiselly. don′t keep in touch only when you need it. A good relationship is based on generosity, give when you can, receive when you need.
Seus objetivos mudar?o no decorrer de sua carreira. Se seu objetivo hoje é ser um coordenador, assim que alcan?ar esse primeiro passo verá uma renova??o de seus desejos surgirem. Ser?o novos passos em um novo horizonte. Pessoas ser?o muito importantes nessa caminhada e aquele mentor que te ajudou a dar esse primeiro passo poderá te ajudar a dar um segundo ou terceiro passo. Networking te ajudará muito profissionalmente, ainda mais na contabilidade. Vale lembrar que trabalhará diretamente com C-level, que muitas vezes se encontram em momentos desafiadores e querem demonstrar consistência em suas decis?es. é muito comum que esses executivos pe?am indica??es para possível posi??es da área contábil que venham a surgir.
I cannot express the importance of having a mentor. Being an accountant can be difficult to build relationships but work diligently to have someone in your network that you can trust and build a relationship with. Early in my career I had to reach out to a mentor that I trusted and who gave me great advice. Today is your last day at that company. I resigned and spoke with the CFO with what the issue was. The CFO agreed with me that I had to leave. Always, always make sure you maintain your ethics and have STRONG mentors in your conner to support you. Those case studies in your coursework are true and happening every day. Stay true to yourself. Y You have to look yourself in the mirror every morning.
- Be honest and transparent. - Keep confidentiality at acceptable levels and share as necessary information as required.. Understand the industry as a plus, as it makes difference dealing with other stakeholders.
Be patient: Building a strong mentoring relationship takes time and effort. Be patient and allow the relationship to develop organically. Be respectful of boundaries: Be mindful of your mentor's time and availability. Don't expect them to be available 24/7. Seek additional resources: Don't rely solely on your mentor for guidance. Utilize other resources like professional organizations, online courses, and industry publications to broaden your knowledge and skills. Give back: As you gain experience, consider becoming a mentor yourself and helping others in your field.
As a starting accountant, having a mentor can be a game-changer for your career. To make the most of a mentor, set clear expectations, be open-minded, ask questions, and show appreciation. Be proactive, embrace mistakes as learning opportunities, and keep in touch even after the mentorship ends. With these tips, you can build a strong mentor-mentee relationship and set yourself up for success in the accounting world.
Find out the problem items and see how you can help eliminate the negative and find the positive items Look for an opportunity to find ways to save the company in time and processes make sure to notify your supervisor