5 Reasons Why Accounting Professionals Need a Mentor

As someone who has benefited from mentorship, I can say without hesitation that mentors provide more than just some advice—they can be a sounding board, a guide, and sometimes even that gentle nudge you need to take the leap you’ve been hesitant about.

They help you see things from a fresh perspective, stay grounded, and build the confidence to tackle those bigger, more complex goals.  

In this article, I'm going to share five reasons why having a mentor is something every accounting professional should consider. Whether you’re in the early stages of your career or you're looking for ways to grow in your current role, mentorship can provide the support and direction you need. 

RELATED: The Importance of Mentorship Programs in Accounting Firms 

What is a Mentor? 

A mentor is an experienced individual who can give you valuable advice and support necessary to advance in your professional career and personal growth. This individual can be someone you know personally, such as a family member or friend, or someone you meet at work, networking events, or professional organizations. 

Reasons Why Accounting Professionals Needs a Mentor 

Here are five (5) reasons why professionals need a mentor: 

1. Emotional Support During Tough Times  

Let's face the fact, accounting is a demanding profession. The pressures of deadlines, client expectations, and management responsibilities can easily become overwhelming.  

In my case, although it was a conscious decision to embrace a managerial role, I wouldn't have handled it as effectively without the support of my mentor. Their invaluable guidance helped me maintain my sanity and focus on my career goals. 

2. Staying Grounded Amidst Doubt  

Have I experienced doubt? Absolutely. As someone who has been in the leadership for a long time, I’ve often faced moments of doubt. Juggling the expectations of superiors, peers, and staff while trying to advance in my career felt overpowering at times.  

However, engaging in conversations and receiving encouragement from my mentor helped me remain grounded and keep my priorities in check rather than succumbing to my insecurities. 

3. Learning from Someone with Experience  

There's an old saying: “Experience is one of the greatest teachers.” This couldn’t be truer when it comes to mentors who offer insights that textbooks and training sessions simply cannot provide. 

Having someone who has "been there, done that" allows you to tap into their experience. They help you learn faster and avoid common pitfalls. When I transitioned from an accountant to a managerial role, it felt overwhelming at first. Yet, with the advice of my mentor, I learned to appreciate the value of patience and was reminded that growth is a part of the journey. 

4. Learning to Accept Constructive Feedback

Probably one of the challenging lessons I learned early on in my career was how to take constructive criticism. In accounting, where accuracy is important, it can be difficult to hear that you’ve made a mistake or your work needs improvement. 

However, a great mentor knows how to deliver feedback in a way that helps you grow. Rather than taking it personally, I learned to view feedback as an opportunity for self-improvement. My mentor taught me the art of accepting criticism while staying true to my values and professional goals. This is a skill every accounting professional must master. Instead of fearing critique, you must start seeing it as an opportunity for your own development.  

5. Accountability and Encouragement  

It's easy to set goals but being accountable and consistent in working towards achieving your goals is another matter.  As an accountant, it's important to have someone who can encourage you especially when you're feeling down or discouraged. Having a good accountability partner in your career will help you stay on track by reminding you of your goals and providing support when needed.  

And honestly, when I was tempted to take the easy route or settle into a comfort zone, my mentor gently pushed and encouraged me that I could do it and that I was capable of achieving my goals. With their support, I stayed the course and reached milestones I once thought were out of reach. 

Advice to Young Professionals 

For new accounting professionals, the best advice I can give is to start seeking mentorship early. It might seem daunting, and perhaps you feel like you are not made for this type of mentoring relationship, but the sooner you seek help (whether formal or informal), the better. Of course, you also must evaluate who to trust. But I do believe that if you are earnest, you will also attract those who are as passionate as you are. 

My Personal Approach When Mentoring 

When mentoring my team, I always remind myself that every individual is different. I start by building strong relationships and effective communication with each member of my team to find out their distinct traits and motivations. By understanding their uniqueness, I can better guide them on their professional journey. 

At D&V Philippines, we understand the importance of formal and informal mentoring programs. We have structured programs like our Mid-Year and Annual Performance Evaluations that provide both counselors and counselees the opportunity to meet and discuss the latter’s strengths, areas for improvement, and potential growth opportunities for growth.  

You may contact us today to know more about the various ways we create an environment that encourages career development and supports our employees to deliver outstanding work. You may also download our primer Employees to Partners to know how we invest in our people’s development.   

This article has been written in collaboration with Angelica Garcia, a content specialist at D&V Philippines.