As an accounting and finance professional, one of the most important career management skills you can develop is the ability to network. While often thought of solely as a job search tool, networking enables you to establish a wide range of contacts who can help raise your visibility within the accounting and finance community. This is beneficial when trying to fill a position within your firm, conducting research on a key industry or management issue, or putting the word out about your services.

Networking requires determination, so don't be intimidated by the thought of introducing yourself to strangers. Keep a positive attitude - while some people may not be helpful, you'll find the majority will be receptive to your inquiries.

Getting Your Network Off the Ground

Begin by constructing a database of people you already know who might assist you - friends, family, work associates, community leaders etc. Concurrently, think carefully about what you want to learn from these individuals. This can cover anything from recent industry trends to the best vendors for your business. You may feel most comfortable contacting many of these individuals via telephone or e-mail. For others, however, it might be more appropriate to send a letter of introduction that mentions a mutual acquaintance and briefly explains what type of information or assistance you seek. Over time, you'll also want to arrange to meet with key individuals. Usually these can be informal meetings over lunch or after working hours.

Get Involved

Participating in industry associations such as the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) or your local state CPA society, the American Payroll Association (APA), the American Society of Women Accountants (ASWA), the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), and the National Society of Accountants (NSA) is another good way to expand your network. Do your homework before attending group meetings. The more you know about each organization's priorities, the more informed you'll be when you chat with its members. And remember to bring plenty of business cards to exchange with new contacts.

An even more effective way to broaden your network is to become more involved in an organization's regular activities. Join committees through which you can demonstrate your professional skills, or write an article for the newsletter on a topic that enables you to showcase your expertise. You might also consider delivering a presentation at a monthly meeting.

Stay in Touch

As with any project, be sure to follow through with your networking plan by keeping in touch with all of your contacts. Whether it's by thanking someone for speaking with you, sending a copy of an interesting article or congratulating a colleague on a recent achievement, personally communicating with others will keep your contact base active and encourage your new acquaintances to think of you when opportunities arise. It's also critical to be attentive when your contacts - or their friends - request your time or assistance. If someone is referred to you and calls, respond promptly and consider making time for a face-to-face meeting. You should demonstrate the same spirit of helpfulness you'd like your contacts to extend when you're seeking help.

More than anything else, networking is a process. You need to keep at it to be effective. If you continually devote time and energy to increasing your contact base, you'll have a solid network that can help you build your business, locate top talent and increase your visibility in the community.