Accounting and finance jobs: who lasts in work that demands precision

Every company needs someone doing the books, and almost every company complains it cannot find an accountant who stays. The truth is that people who do this work well have a fairly distinct style, and people whose style does not match are tired of it by the end of month one.

The style that suits numbers

Among the five work styles, accounting, finance and internal audit match the builder most: the person who turns mess into steps and relaxes when the numbers balance. Next comes the sage, who suits analysis, tax planning and financial advice.

A connector usually does better in finance work with lots of people in it, such as collections, credit customers or liaising with auditors, than in quiet period-end closing.

Elements and money

The elements that match looking after assets and stability are Earth and Metal. If your supporting elements include them, finance work feeds you rather than drains you. If your supporting elements are Fire or Wood, you can still do the books well; look for a seat with some change in it, such as start-up finance or project accounting.

For small-business employers

The "finance and accounting" seat in Team fit is the one small companies most often leave empty or park with the owner. When you open the team overview, the site says who on the current team fits that seat best, and flags when nobody does: the signal to hire before the numbers go wrong.

If two people share the money, such as partners, look at the partner charter for who should hold the final say on money and contracts. Agree that on day one, not on the day there is a problem.

Search finance jobs that fit your element, or see your work style first.