Ability and attitude. These two things determine your career trajectory. As an Accountant, subject knowledge and good analytical skills will get you a steady source of income. However, to be considered the cream of the crop, you must also have the creativity needed to tackle unique problems, come up with ingenious solutions, and turn obstacles into opportunities.

While confidence and approachability reassure clients, arrogance drives them away. An Accountant can’t even afford to be the meek guy diligently reviewing numbers in the backroom. You need to be in the foreground, always ready to interact with people, regardless of whether they are a local shop owner or the CEO of an MNC. Staying in constant touch with the problems and aspirations of the folks you serve will broaden your perspective and drive you to get the best results for them.

Moreover, if you have the vision and the ambition to build something bigger than yourself, be prepared to take risks. I left a high-paying job to start my company 15 years into my career. It wasn’t an easy decision to make, even with a thought-out roadmap. On the other hand, I would have always had a regret if I hadn’t gone through with it. So, it’s up to you what decides the direction of your life: self-belief or the fear of failure.