Lack of emotional intelligence training cost accountants £571m

Accountants need more training in people skills or they will keep losing out on £571million every year in cumulative salary, according to new research from Marks Sattin.  

The recruitment agency’s research found that 96% of accountants believe career progression is dependent on soft skills (communication, teamwork, empathy etc). Yet, only 46% felt that they received enough people skills training.

Two-thirds said that they would be paid eight per cent more if they had been given proper soft skills training. That is equivalent to £4,700 every year, or £571million for the profession as a whole.

Dave Way, Managing Director at Marks Sattin, says: “Being a good accountant and a ‘numbers person’ is now taken as read. The A-players of the accountancy world also need to be outstanding communicators and proactive in driving relationships.”