Council findings have been compiled in an extensive report, Charting the Future of the Accounting, Finance and Audit Professions, that addresses the growing need for finance professionals to possess well-developed oral and written communication skills.

Following are a few tips from this comprehensive white paper to help you enhance your communication style:

Think before you speak or write. Before sending out an important e-mail or preparing a written report on recent findings, consider what you are trying to accomplish or articulate with your communication. By focusing on how your message will be received by the intended audience, you increase your effectiveness.

Match your communication style with the message. The ability to choose the appropriate communication method for a message and the proper tone for a specific audience or situation is a hallmark of professionalism. Although many tech-savvy professionals prefer instant messaging (IM) and e-mail over formal written or verbal correspondence, when conveying sensitive information or roadblocks on a project to supervisors, these shorter forms of communication are not always the best vehicle.

Review and revise messages before submitting. Given today's lightning fast, off-the-cuff communication methods and fast-paced work environment, many professionals don't take the extra time to review and revise memos, reports and other documents before they go out. The act of simply looking over a first draft can often prompt significant improvements.

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ACCOUNTEMPS is a specialized temporary staffing service for accounting, finance and bookkeeping professionals. Accountemps provides support throughout an accounting department. Headquartered in Menlo Park, Calif., Accountemps and has more than 270 offices in North America, Europe and Australia. Accountemps' Career Counselor column, a SmartPros staple for over four years, is refreshed twice a month.