Listening Skills in Accounting Practices - Assignment Example

A Critique on Significance and Nature of Listening Skills in Accounting Practices Contents Critical Analysis of the Article 3 Rationale for a Critical Analysis 3 2.Nature and Significance of Listening Skills and Accounting 3 3.Critical Analysis of Article- Strengths 4 4.Critical Analysis of Article- Weaknesses 6 5.Conclusive Remarks 8 Critical Analysis of the Article 1. Rationale for a Critical Analysis In academia, things that mature through human experience and logical conclusions are of great importance for researchers. In the field of communication flow of objectivity in opinions are getting increasingly important. Another fact that is important for researchers in this field is overcoming of the barriers that exist in effective communication of information. In this paper, a research conducted on listening skills in accounting practices has been discussed. Nature and significance have briefly been analyzed. Furthering the discourse of critique, strengths and weaknesses in the research article have also been made to put forward a concise and objective approach for the understanding, particularly in the field of accounting. In last section, a conclusion has been drawn which is a summary of opinions and inferences on strengths and weaknesses of the article deduced during the research. 2. Nature and Significance of Listening Skills and Accounting Among technical fields and their professionals communication process is complex. There are many barriers in seamless and effective communication while communicating with general public. Special courses related to communication skills are included in curriculum in order to make these professionals closer to layman. In this, afore mentioned paper, public accountants were surveyed to gauge their communication abilities and adapting ability with the clients (Banderlipe, 2014). Following aspects, among accountants, were made moot point of the research: a. Day to day communication b. Strategic client services c. Relationship development These aspects will help researchers, accountants and student in the field of accountancy to understand nature and significance of listening skills to overcome communication barriers and provide for effective communication and transfer of information among peers. An important point that has been revealed is the issue of accountant’s tendency to listen. It is known among higher executives that barriers of this kind hamper in making decisions and establishing better business prospects. Also it is known as most important tool after problem solving and thinking. Listening is there for a holistic activity that helps in taking decisions. Better listening can help in noting minor details about any problem and situation. In the field of communication, concentration is of foremost importance while keeping in view the probability of missing any detail. Accountants are therefore required to take these skills before getting decisive in decision making and thinking (processing and dissemination of information). 3. Critical Analysis of Article- Strengths The research conducted has been conclusive about the role of communication and especially listening skills. Its importance has been highlighted and accentuated with the help of surveys among accountants and managers. In this section strengths of this article have been discussed which tells about the importance, validity, implications in practical world and research prospects. Highlighting Significance of Listening Skills in Accounting The imposing significance can be deduced by basic principles of accountant-client relationship, thinking and decision making (Stone, 2014). It is also important to understand that listening skills are indispensible for every possible effective communication. Also that, professionalism also demands for an accountant to be focused and good listener. These skills help in getting into an inter-personal interactive stage. Attributes and their Interdependence There are about 27 oral attributes that are researched in this article, which makes it a strong research. Problem solving and thinking are also dependent upon these attributes as they provide basic variables for processing. Transfer of Information and impact of Affectivity Transfer of knowledge is also an important aspect. During the 2007 economic crisis it was noted that among accountant a fact finding discourse prevailed. This discourse was based on two different types of accounting procedures, vis. fair value accounting and historical value accounting. The communication process in fair value accounting did not provide for explicit information about the valuation of assets and liabilities. This is a serious issue among accountants which are not able to listen to an important aspect in re-valuating any business asset. Thus proponents of historical value accounting hold fair value accounting as responsible for not conveying complete information about the assets, liabilities and their valuation. Understanding nature of Listening Skills- Answering ‘Why’ Another important aspect which has been discussed in this article is the nature and significance of listening skills. This point is strength of the research conducted. The nature and significance of listening skills compulsorily involves attentiveness, responsiveness and the reflection of information that is captured through focused listening. It helps in creating relevance among peers (Hurt, 2014). Deriving Relevance through better Listening Skills Accountants need to remain relevant but they also need to bridge the gaps and barriers in communication with the clients. Clients then have their own segregation according to the nature of their business and interaction. They can be media, corporate organizations or individuals. Through the study of significance as discussed above listening has this aspect an important strength of the research. A model for feedback Mechanism Research on precise feedback mechanism that develops through better listening skills is also part of this article. Promptness is a part of a focused and targeted communication process in communication among accountants and their peers. It enhances richness and interactions like face to face communication are important to this effect. Transfer of ideas and concepts are dependent on the mode of communication for listener (Kalibi, 2008). This has a profound effect over internalization of ideas and assimilation of concerns of a client causing empathy. Qualitative Research- Strength of the research The research conducted is based on qualitative approach which included subjective method of un-structured interviews. Strength of the research is the recording and revisiting of the interviews. Face to face communication, through telephone and other types of verbal communication are also discussed. The implications of this research are multifarious. They are equally important for academia and practical world. The mode of communication is also an important aspect which is also discussed. 4. Critical Analysis of Article- Weaknesses The article, by far has been discussed for its effectiveness in providing a credible research, yet it is important to critically analyze the shortcomings of the article. Qualitative Versus Quantitative Research In communication the theory of dissemination of information and mass communication is more subjective but involves objective surveys. It is a point of concern which has been noted in article that the actual behavior of the survey accounting professionals might be different. Credibility of the Surveys For a controlled environment analysis time take is a major constraint, therefore it is not possible to conduct a research for a fairly longer period of time. The beliefs that are held by accountants might also be not comprehendible as they are subjective and vary to a fairly large level. No mention of Organizational Culture and Idiosyncrasy Keeping in view the idiosyncrasy of professionals it is difficult to calculate the level of validity of the surveys. It is also not universal and cannot be a key to gauge professionals that sprawl over different organizational cultures. Organizational cultures are also important for professionals to put their homogenous internal brand. Internal brand management is an important aspect which helps employees for creating a culture of more conducive environment for communication. Listening skills are therefore important to manage internal and external customers. This, a relatively newer field of management studies, has a dire need to formulate a communication paradigm. Psychological Aspect and Implementation issues A critical analysis of weakness of the research is the absence of psychological aspect of the accountants, their peer relationships and clientele has a direct relationship with listening skills of professionals. Various training programs on consumer handling and client interaction are made which are based on psychometric analysis. It is also pertinent to mention that the communication barrier have also not been discussed which reveal an important fact about missing of an important aspect of listening. Skills development and Training Issues Logical conclusions suggest that the communication that takes place between peers has to be effective and therefore listening must conclude in better decision making and thinking process. It is also one of the weaknesses of the article that company culture has not been discussed and the methodology for internalizing of the skill development demand has not been made (MORREALE, 2001). Further training programs which help in capacity building are also not discussed which undermines the research. 5. Conclusive Remarks This research concludes as a critical appraisal of the already research done rather being helpful for practical field. Listening skills, therefore, are equally important in effective dissemination of information and opinions. Nature and Significance of Listening Skills sprawls over the expanse of technical fields also. They are a way to migrate from machine-level thinking to more comprehensive understanding of situations. This concept helps in effective communication eventually. Also the variables of listening skills development are missing in the research; however one sees a good deal of substantial evidence and referees that highlight the importance and affectivity of the research. Winding up this critical analysis suggests that the article can prove to be an excellent guide with its strengths as mentioned above for defining course of action to develop listening skills among accountants. The article provides a concise report on the needs, gaps and slack in the communication problems of accountants. It is an excellent research yet concrete suggestions that can help in understanding the viability and work plan for accountants to develop these skills are missing. For every criticism a viable solution is necessary to make it impactful research on the moot point. Reference to implementation points is missing which can make article a good research for accountants and their trainers for capacity building and improvements for accounting professionals. Work Cited Banderlipe, R. (2014). THE DEVELOPMENT OF ANALYTICAL, COMMUNICATION ANDRESEARCH SKILLS IN ACCOUNTING EDUCATION:PERCEPTIONS OF DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITYACCOUNTANCY STUDENTS ANDFACULTY MEMBERS. 1st ed. De La Salle University. Hurt, B. (2014). Spring 2001 Two-Year College Communicator. [online] Aaahq.org. Available at: https://aaahq.org/TwoYear/newsletters/spr01comm/inside3.htm [Accessed 21 Aug. 2014]. Kalibi, M. (2008). Skills and Attributes Needed for Success in Accounting Career:. Higher School of Economic and Commercial Sciences of Tunis, University. MORREALE, S. (2001). Why Communication is Important: A Rationale for the Centrality of the Study of Communication. 1st ed. California: Journal ofthe Association for Communication Administration, pp.3-7. Stone, G. (2014). The Nature and Significance of Listening Skills in Accounting Practice. [online] Available at: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09639284.2011.617062#.U_XQqHnlpH0 [Accessed 21 Aug. 2014]. Read More