As an educator, you have an opportunity to close this gap for your students. You can build their awareness about the skills employers prioritize most and give them opportunities to develop those essential skills.

According to Lightcast™, here are the top 10 software skills requested or required by U.S. employers hiring accounting or finance professionals between March 2023 and March 2024.

Skill

Unique Job Postings

Microsoft Excel

932,287

Microsoft Office

841,842

Microsoft PowerPoint

465,067

Microsoft Outlook

377,676

SQL (Programming Language)

230,546

Microsoft Word

223,314

Python (Programming Language)

217,459

SAP Applications

187,916

Spreadsheets

153,680

Accounting Software

144,960


While making your students aware that these skills are in-demand, it’s essential to emphasize that it’s not enough for students to say they’re familiar with applications like Excel. They need to demonstrate that they possess proficiency.

That’s where McGraw Hill’s SIMnet platform can help. SIMnet is a training and assessment solution that develops students’ skills in Microsoft 365 applications. Many accounting instructors use SIMnet alongside the Connect platform to remediate students’ skills—particularly in Excel—through hands-on practice, accounting projects, and adaptive learning experiences.

SIMnet also equips students with digital credentials that validate their skill proficiency. These credentials can be shared on LinkedIn or resumes to give students a competitive edge in the job market. They’re also highly effective in motivating students to upskill and reskill!

To learn more about how SIMnet can help your accounting students develop in-demand skills, check out a self-paced tour today!