The Critical Role of Finance & Accounting Professionals

Kaycee Jacaruso (KJ) and Jess Manyoky (JM) are experienced Aston Carter recruiters who have helped many accounting and finance professionals find work and progress in their careers. In this Q&A, they highlight the value finance and accounting professionals bring to companies, the ways their roles have changed with the integration of new technologies and how to succeed in an increasingly tech-driven environment.

How do accounting and finance professionals contribute to the success of companies?

JM: Accounting and finance professionals are the backbone of any company – large or small. Without accountants tying out the books at the end of every month or our financial analysts running forecasts/managing budgets, executives wouldn’t understand the financial position of the company, individual departments wouldn’t know how much they can spend on resources and business would come to a screeching halt. Although they work behind the scenes, accounting and finance professionals play a more important role than most people realize.

KJ: Accounting and finance professionals are essential to an organization's financial health. They offer valuable insights into performance by analyzing data, managing budgets and ensuring compliance, which supports tactical decision-making and long-term stability. One of my college accounting professors used a great analogy, comparing accounting to the central nervous system in the human body. Just as it monitors and responds to the body's needs, accounting provides feedback on the company's strengths, weaknesses and overall financial health to ensure smooth operations and growth.

How have accounting and finance roles changed over the years with the integration of new technologies?

JM: Roles in this field continue to evolve as new technology is implemented/made available – particularly in the area of business intelligence. Over the past few years, software such as PowerBi, Tableau and Qlik have become increasingly popular among accounting and finance professionals due to their ability to organize and visualize data, which streamlines the reporting process. These roles are becoming less about just crunching the numbers, although that’s still a part of it, and more about telling the story behind the numbers.

KJ: Automation and advanced software have streamlined processes like data entry, accounts payable, accounts receivable and financial reporting, allowing professionals to focus more on strategic analysis and decision-making. This shift has transformed the role from being primarily transactional to one that contributes directly to business growth. It’s exciting to see how these advancements continue to shape the field, creating opportunities for professionals to add even more value. These advancements have also given Aston Carter the opportunity to assist in implementing new technologies and strategies, allowing companies to adapt and thrive in an increasingly digital landscape.

In an era of finance transformation, how can accounting and finance professionals stay competitive and advance their careers?

KJ: They need to continuously adapt by embracing new technologies and expanding their skill sets. Keeping up with industry trends, pursuing certifications and enhancing data analysis skills are key to staying relevant. Networking and staying connected to professional communities also provide valuable insights and opportunities for growth. By being proactive, accounting and finance professionals can position themselves to lead in a rapidly changing industry.

JM: You’ll often find that people are coming out of college with advanced Microsoft Excel skills or experience with the numerous business intelligence software products mentioned above, so it’s important that people already in this field are gaining this type of experience as well to remain competitive. Whether it’s volunteering for special projects that involve this type of work or taking extracurricular certification courses to gain hands-on experience in a specific software, you have to be doing something to develop these skills. In a time where automation in the accounting and finance world is ever-present, if professionals in this field aren’t staying up to date with the current technology, they will simply be left behind and unable to attain higher paying and more exciting positions that offer further career advancement.