Numbers are the lifeblood of any business and organization.  And the professionals who are usually in charge of making sure those numbers always add up are the accountants.

Accounting is a field that’s often misunderstood. Whether it’s the misbelief that the field is boring, it’s not creative , or that only people who go into it are mathematical whiz kids (wrong again), there’s a lot we don’t understand about the profession.

The truth is, accounting is a field that offers a wide range of engaging and interesting opportunities. As a professional working in the accounting profession, you may find yourself working in any number of organizational settings.

So in the interest of providing a clearer picture of accounting, here are five essential skills it takes to succeed in the field.