According to Wolters Kluwer Social Media Survey of 2015, 79% of 800 surveyed accountants use social media. Interestingly, a large percentage of those accountants are aged 30 and above. With the prevalence of social media among the older generation of accountants, it begs the question: ‘Why are these accountants setting up social media accounts and how can it benefit their business?’ The answer may change your perception of social media, and may encourage you to do the same!

Marketing Your Expertise
Applying for a job when you’re new to the field is as difficult as finding a needle in the haystack. Not only are there hundreds of you applying for the same job, but it proves difficult to stand out from the other accountants. Using social media solves those challenges in one sweep.  With a click of a button, social media sites can market accountants to a large audience by highlighting positive qualities and making them attractive to companies.

LinkedIn has been found to be the most popularly used social media site for accountants to market their skills and abilities. It’s commonly used for keeping with professional contacts and joining groups and associations, but it also can help accountants to distribute their content, engage with potential clients, and make themselves accessible to the public.

Direct Customer Interaction 
Through social media, accountants can now engage with their potential clients in the comfort of their own home or business establishment. They can do these by posting in groups or answering questions posed by potential customers. Not only are these activities easily shared or viewed online, but they also don’t cost as much time and effort as compared with traditional media. Moreover, engaging with potential customers online may feel just like talking to customers face-to-face.

While they may not have the professional atmosphere that LinkedIn has, Facebook and Twitter are great platforms for customer interaction. Aside from customer interaction, these sites can be used for sharing knowledge and expertise, following individuals, and keeping up-to-date with news.  

One Step Ahead
With the continuous advancement of modern technology, it’s wise to keep yourself up to date with the latest happenings in communication-related technology. Paul Donno of Paul Donno & Co. Ltd is consistently looking for the ‘next big thing’ in communication-related technology. He has been eyeing Youtube for the company, as this video hosting site can deliver sharp, crisp and short messages in an accessible way to a large array of audiences. Though, Paul Donno isn’t the only one that has seen opportunities on social media sites. The Ohio Society of CPAs has gained a credible reputation from the online public through their most popular video series: Tax Planning Strategies. Their success isn’t a surprise since “How to” videos are one of the most popularly-watched on the net, generating 100 million watch hours in North America, alone. This shows that the use of social media is consistently evolving, making it a vital asset for aspiring accountants in the future. 

References: 

https://www.firmofthefuture.com/content/accountants-on-social-media-see-how-these-accountants-are-killing-it/
https://www.practiceweb.co.uk/how-accountants-are-using-social-media/
https://sage-exchange.co.uk/news/industry-news/business-benefits-of-social-media-for-accountants

Contributed by: Allison Julianne Macasaet
She is a freelance writer on the side, a student of international relations on the other. Interests include fantasy books, international relations, and lifestyle.