How to Position Yourself as a Subject Matter Expert in Finance & Accounting

Are you a professional who possesses a driven passion for finance, but doesn’t have the platform to share your abundant knowledge? In order to become a true Subject Matter Expert (SME) in finance and accounting, you should know that it takes more than just experience and training. Consider this: having a client base that deeply relies on your judgement, different colleagues lining up to hear your thoughts and a mass population that seeks your advice for financial literacy — these are all things you can achieve by establishing your credibility and guiding others. 

The finance world includes a variety of complexities which a lot of people seek navigation and guidance from — this is where you come into play. Being a subject matter expert in finance includes utilising your in-depth knowledge, technical expertise built up over the years, and the authentic persuasion you emanate through continuous learning and challenges encountered over the course of your career. A plethora of these capabilities can be used to create your own brand — to do this, you must share a multitude of resources and knowledge. 

So, how do you implement this? This advice will guide you in strategically positioning yourself as an SME in finance and accounting. 

Establishing Your Credibility as a Finance and Accounting Specialist

When it concerns authoritative positioning, it’s all about getting yourself noticed. With finance and accounting being a very technical area of expertise, establishing yourself as a go-to expert lies in showcasing your credibility. It might be daunting to put yourself out there and have people notice you as a brand, however, building a foundation of trust is a prerequisite to establishing yourself as a SME. Here’s how you can start:

• Showcase Your Credentials: Being a professional in finance requires a long line of certifications and credentials. Based on what you’ve specialised in, you can highlight the importance of the certifications you’ve received through whichever mode of communication you use to talk to your target audience. Professionals who have CPA qualifications can offer financial advice regarding financial planning or even processes like mergers or acquisitions. Remember to always teach what you know; your unique experiences and insights will definitely be valuable to those who want to learn from you. 

• Use Different Forms of Content: Content is key to making a notable impression on people. Consider authoring that one article about planning your finances, or even experience in handling a remarkable merger. Having different forms of content will allow you to provide certain commentary, opinions or even backstories as to how you’ve achieved a certain level of success in the finance industry. You can even write articles for trade publications, preferably being peer-reviewed to strengthen your display of knowledge. Don’t be afraid to start a blog — this is where you could offer your financial expertise and advice on the regular, catering to a much larger audience. By producing written content as such, establishing yourself as an authority that can be trusted will be a breeze.
  
• Taking Part in Community Engagement: Online forums are a gateway to connect with many accounting and finance professionals. Think of it in this manner —you see a professional trying to handle a complex financial scenario, and pitching in your ideas and solutions online would demonstrate that you have problem-solving skills as a finance professional, and are proactive in doing so. You will come across a wealth of perspectives, whilst being able to stay on top of industry trends as well. As a finance specialist, you may be able to even come across fruitful job opportunities that can be developed with valuable connections.
  
• Attending Industry Events: Despite how important online engagement is, you need to master face-to-face interactions and networking with professionals in the finance and accounting industry. By attending insightful sessions with reputable guest speakers and other professionals, you could grab opportunities for collaboration and stay ahead of the curve. Remember, showcasing your expertise is never a waste, and meeting individuals with various finance specialisations will only allow you to nurture your own skill set, adapting to the dynamic financial landscape we see. 

Reaching Your Target Audience as an SME in Finance and Accounting

Being a commendable figure and expert in finance is a great milestone to achieve, however, if you aren’t focusing on enhancing your visibility to appeal to your target audience, there will be obstacles in getting any of your messages across. Here are some methods you can use to reach large audiences and take the stage! 

• Public Speaking as a Tool: The best finance professionals are not only excellent at crunching their numbers but also at simply communicating their findings and crafting compelling methods to make their audience really listen. If you attend an online summit or webinar hosted by a reputed financial institute, craft a compelling presentation with visuals on the impact of current financial challenges like alarming inflation rates on your company, this would create a solid platform for you to showcase your expertise whilst captivating your audience. 

• Embrace Collaboration Opportunities: Collaboration comes in handy when you need to strengthen your reputation and credibility as a professional in finance. Take that leap in co-authoring an industry publication about impending financial constraints, or even incorporate a bit of lifestyle into your content by offering financial advice for different demographics, even beginners. Consider enrolling in a mentorship program where you could connect with other professionals who are aspiring and thriving in the industry currently. Don’t refrain from being readily available to your friends and colleagues as they could allow you to practise talking about your expertise and craft in finance or accounting.
  
• Capitalise on Social Media Platforms: As finance specialists, social media may not be your forte, however, note that you can reach a diverse community of finance and accounting enthusiasts to level up your notability. Publish small articles on LinkedIn, and use X (formerly Twitter) to post bite-sized information on various insights. Consider how TikTok and Instagram are a part of younger age groups and demographics, so tailoring your educational or insightful content will enhance your reputation as a financial leader. 

The path to becoming a respected Subject Matter Expert in finance and accounting is paved with continuous learning, strategic communication, and a genuine desire to guide others. By implementing the steps outlined above, you’ll establish yourself as a credible source, build trust with your target audience, and ultimately become a sought-after voice in the ever-evolving world of finance. Remember, the key lies in consistently sharing your knowledge, actively engaging with the community, and staying ahead of the curve. 

If you are a finance specialist in the UAE, browse our job board for vacancies that might suit you.