Chartered Accountant
Also known as: Certified Public Accountant · External Auditor
Audits or compiles annual accounts, issues an opinion or report and advises companies on reporting, taxation and internal control.
The accountant is ultimately responsible for file quality and works within professional rules, quality systems and supervision. Unlike the controller, the accountant gives an opinion from outside the company and is not involved in day to day steering. Selection typically stalls on technical reporting knowledge as the main criterion, while the role depends on holding a position against a client who matters commercially.
Competencies to measure
These are the behavioural and ability constructs in this profile. Each one shows which hrmforce questionnaire measures it.
| Competencies to measure | Target level | hrmforce instrument | Assessment method | Behavioural anchor at target level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accuracy and attention to detail Competency (50-framework): Accuracy | N5 | Big Fifty, 360 Feedback | Personality questionnaire | Sets the standards for completeness and correctness, has samples checked and addresses teams on structural sloppiness. |
| independence Competency (50-framework): Independence | N5 | Big Fifty, 15PF | Personality questionnaire | Protects own professional judgement against pressure from stakeholders in senior forums and makes dissenting positions traceable and explainable. |
| Numerical reasoning | N5 | Ability Scan | Cognitive ability test | Sees in complex number series which assumptions determine the outcome and sets the calculation logic that others in the organisation follow. |
| integrity and dependability Competency (50-framework): Integrity | N5 | Big Fifty (Integrity Scale), 360 Feedback, Structured interview | Personality questionnaire | Sets the organisation's integrity standards, enforces them also with influential parties and explains the resulting choices publicly. |
| Discipline and keeping commitments Competency (50-framework): Discipline | N4 | Big Fifty, 15PF, 360 Feedback | Personality questionnaire | Commits only to what is feasible, tracks own commitments and informs those involved as soon as a deadline comes under pressure. |
| Managing workload pressure Competency (50-framework): Stress resilience | N4 | Big Fifty, Competency Check, Pulse Survey | Structured interview | Cuts or shifts tasks independently when busy on the basis of importance, records this and discusses consequences with clients. |
Short profile
The ten heaviest skills in this profile. The full profile with every skill, behavioural anchor and assessment method is in the download.
| T | Skill | Target level | Weight | Knockout | Assessment method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | Quantitative interpretation | N5 | 5 | yes | Work sample test |
| G | Accuracy and attention to detail | N5 | 5 | no | Personality questionnaire |
| G | independence | N5 | 5 | no | Personality questionnaire |
| V | Financial administration | N5 | 5 | yes | Work sample test |
| V | Preparing annual accounts | N5 | 5 | yes | Knowledge test |
| V | Audit and internal control | N4 | 5 | yes | Work sample test |
| A | Numerical reasoning | N5 | 4 | no | Cognitive ability test |
| G | integrity and dependability | N5 | 4 | no | Personality questionnaire |
| T | Spreadsheets and worksheets | N5 | 4 | yes | Work sample test |
| K | Reading and interpreting financial reports | N5 | 4 | no | Knowledge test |
See all 26 skills in the full profile
Assessment instruments for this job
Knowledge test (client-specific)
Professional knowledge test, customized for each client
Work sample test
Representative work sample under standardized conditions
Competency Check
Behavioral-Level Competency Assessment
Big Fifty
Personality questionnaire, 150 items, 25 factors
Ability Scan
Aptitude Test: Verbal, Numerical, and Abstract Reasoning Skills
360 Feedback
Multiple assessments based on behavioral anchors
Portfolio
Evaluation of prior work against fixed criteria
15PF
Personality Profile, a shorter alternative to the Big Fifty
Structured interview
Behavioral interview with a fixed structure
Big Fifty (Integrity Scale)
Pulse Survey
Periodic measurement at the team and organizational levels
Comparable jobs
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Business Controller26 skills in the profile · senior
Financial Controller26 skills in the profile · senior
Finance Manager27 skills in the profile · senior
Chief Financial Officer26 skills in the profile · lead