How to be an indispensable accountant

By Beth Wallace

By 2030, about 40 per cent of workers’ current skill sets will be transformed or become outdated, according to the Career Industry Council of Australia’s (CICA) Future of Jobs Report 2025.

Yet, instead of viewing this as a disruptor, professionals could see this as an opportunity to make themselves more valuable in the workplace. To David Carney, executive director of CICA, this means becoming the person others rely on for judgement, perspective and calm when things are uncertain.

“Indispensable professionals see the bigger picture,” he explains. “They connect the dots between data and decision-making, turn analysis into action and provide insights that help the organisation move forward.”

Here are five strategies for becoming indispensable at work.

For Amanda Kenafake CPA, CEO and executive director of financial services provider Power Tynan, an indispensable accountant is someone who helps individuals and businesses achieve success — a goal that calls for a distinct set of traits. 

“You could be technically perfect, but the truly indispensable part is connecting people to the right resources, helping them understand what success looks like, identifying key drivers, solving problems and spotting opportunities or challenges,” she says.

2. Layer experience with technology

Another vital quality of the indispensable accountant is the ability to complement, rather than compete with, technology. 

Kenafake describes this as a delicate balance. Technology can automate manual, repetitive tasks and streamline workflows, freeing professionals to focus on high-value analysis and stakeholder engagement. 

Likewise, artificial intelligence (AI) can elevate average performers, but if misused, can also pull excellent performers down. Human expertise and judgement remain essential to ensure AI enhances performance rather than limits it.

 

"You could be technically perfect, but the truly indispensable part is connecting people to the right resources, helping them understand what success looks like, identifying key drivers, solving problems and spotting opportunities or challenges."

 

For example, while a generative AI tool such as ChatGPT could write a policy or business strategy, Kenafake says it is better for accountants to first develop their own ideas and then use the tool to refine and enhance their work.

“By putting your lived experiences in there, the knowledge that you have — that is the value humans bring,” she says. 

Carney highlights the importance of being transparent about technology and data use. In a world of black box algorithms and automation, trust is currency, he says. The most valuable professionals are those who can be relied on to do the right thing, not just the expedient thing.

3. Strengthen human skills

Carney believes that human skills are becoming key differentiators. Collaboration, empathy and ethical reasoning are vital to ensure technology benefits people, he says, rather than the other way around.

“Adaptability when circumstances change, as they always do. Communication skills that enable you to translate technical concepts for non-technical audiences. Emotional intelligence that helps you work effectively with different personalities and perspectives. Ethical judgement to recognise when the technically correct answer isn’t the right one.”

He recommends thinking of AI as an analyst that can process numbers brilliantly but does not fully understand the business. “It can help you work faster, but you’re still making the decisions.”

4. Undertake continuous learning

Accountants need to continuously update their technology skills, but Kenafake also urges openness to retraining in other areas and rethinking the work itself. 

“We’ve got to unlearn, reimagine what’s possible and then learn again,” she says, rather than being stuck repeating the same flawed methods.

 

"Indispensable professionals see the bigger picture. They connect the dots between data and decision-making, turn analysis into action and provide insights that help the organisation move forward."

 

The shelf life of skills is shortening, making continuous learning an integral part of work rather than an occasional activity, Carney says. He reinforces the importance of keeping up with new tools, emerging trends and shifts in the industry, as well as understanding, at least conceptually, how data flows, how AI makes decisions, and where the risks and opportunities of the technology lie.

5. Be inquisitive

Developing skills such as problem-solving and relationship-building requires just as much effort as building technical expertise.

Beyond completing microcredentials, engaging a mentor, attending industry events or joining professional networks, Kenafake also encourages cultivating an inquisitive mindset. This means observing and asking questions, whether about a client’s business or an employer. 

“Instead of having one conversation about cash flow or gross profits, you can start to build a strategy for the business, because you’re listening and talking to the owner or leadership about every line item and the story behind it,” she says.

In this way, finance professionals are often the bridge between operational reality and strategic vision, Carney adds. “You’re the ones helping leadership make decisions that balance risk against opportunity, short-term pressure against long-term sustainability.”

One of the most valuable skills is the ability to translate complex financial or technical information into a clear and practical form for decision-makers, he continues. Those who can do this effectively and convincingly will always be in demand.