Questions ans answer

What types of activities would you conduct prior to the actually beginning the job analysis? Be specific as to the types of information you might seek and the sources where such information might be found.

Before beginning the job analysis, I would ensure I understand the requirements for the specific job. For instance, I will ensure I know the kind of personality, education, and experience that is required for the job. I would also seek information about the physical and mental tasks involved in the job, how the work will be done, and the goals of the job (Rothmann & Cooper, 2015). I will also seek information about the compensation for the job. I will source such information from the current employees, previous employees, Department of Labor (DOL), and the job description.

1. If you were to actually perform a job analysis, discuss the steps you would use and how you would go about conducting the job analysis. Your answer should include type of job analysis (e.g., functional, critical incidents, etc.), type of data collection (e.g., observation, interview, etc.), and how you would go about gathering and verifying the data.

First, I would determine purpose of the job analysis to help me know the type of analysis to conduct. Since the analysis will be for recruitment and compensation purposes, I will seek for quantitative and qualitative data to enable me provide a detailed description and specifications of the job.

If I were to perform the job analysis, I would use the steps below.

(i) Information Collection

I will collect all the relevant information about the job. I will obtain the information through interviews, questionnaires, critical incidents, and observation. Additionally, I will review the company’s organizational chart to identify the company’s division of labor, the connection of the job to other occupations in the company, how the job fits into the overall organization of the company, and the work processes involved with the job.

(ii) Analysis of the Job

After collecting the relevant information, I will analyze the job in question by using the different methods to collect data and information related to the job. I will interview the current employees performing the same job; interview the supervisor to get information about the responsibilities and duties assigned to the job, time spent on the job, working conditions, equipment and material used, and the skills and abilities used in performing the job(Rothmann & Cooper, 2015).

(iii) Check the Information for Accuracy

After collecting the data and analyzing them, I will check the information I have collected for completeness and accuracy by verifying the data with the job incumbent. If I realize some faults, I will go back and recollect the information.

2. For the job you are analyzing, what are the five or six most important job tasks listed? Why do you think each is important?

a) Examine, analyze, and prepare financial statements and reports

This is important because the financial statements reveal the value and performance of the company to the relevant stakeholder (O*Net, 2016).

b) Calculate taxes owed and preparing tax returns

All organizations must submit their tax returns to the government because it is a government regulation. An organization or individual who fails to file or make tax returns is punishable by law.

c) Provide internal auditing to the organization

Internal audit is important for the organization because it helps to prevent fraud. It also helps to ensure reliable financial reporting, minimize the organization’s cost of capital, and prevent misappropriation of the company’s assets (O*Net, 2016).

d) Organize and maintain financial records

This is significant because well-organized and maintained financial records ensure transparency and eases accountability and auditing.

e) Evaluate the organization’s financial operations to help recommend to the management the best financial practices that would aid in the organization’s success.

3. What knowledge would a person need to be successful in this job and how would a person demonstrate having such knowledge (e.g., degree, license, experience)?

A person needs to have the following knowledge to be successful in the accounting job.

· Mathematics

· Economics and accounting

· Computer electronics

· English language

· Clerical knowledge

· Marketing knowledge

The above knowledge can be demonstrated through a university degree, work experience, and proficiency tests.

4. What specific skills would a person need to be successful in this job (e.g., typing, programming, decision making)?

To be successful in this job, a person needs to have good communication and decision-making skills. The accountant should also have analytical skills, mathematics skills, and organizational skills.

5. What abilities would a person need to be successful in this job (e.g., strength, vision)?

To be successful in this job, a person needs to mathematical reasoning abilities because most of the financial information is numerical (O*Net, 2016). Additionally, one needs good problem solving, good vision, and clear speech abilities.

6. What other characteristics might a person need to be successful in this job (e.g., personality, demographics)?

Integrity and honesty are critical in the accounting profession because they always deal with the companies and individuals’ bank accounts. Besides, the individual needs to have excellent characters of extroversion, sensing, judging, and thinking (Angela, 2014).

7. What is the work context typically associated with this job (e.g., environmental conditions, interaction with coworkers and/or clients)?

The work context of an accountant requires him or her to be accurate or exact (O*Net, 2016). The tasks performed by an accountant are also repetitive and involve the use of telephone and computers. Accountants also perform their work indoors in environmentally controlled rooms (O*Net, 2016). The work involves frequent work with others, frequent decision-making and face-to-face discussions.

References

De Schrijver, A. (2014). Chron. Retrieved from The personality types of people who become accountants: http://work.chron.com/personality-types-people-become-accountants-14520.html

O*Net. (2016). Summary report for accountants. Retrieved June 12, 2016 from http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/13-2011.01

Rothmann, S., & Cooper, C. L. (2015). Work and organizational psychology. London, England: Routledge