Beyond technical expertise, impactful communication ensures messages are understood and valued. Carmel Moore offers practical tips for refining non-verbal, written and virtual communication skills
The art of communication is a vital skill for accountancy students, where clarity and precision are as important as the numbers.
Technical expertise is worthless if the receiver doesn’t understand the message, and sloppy communication can waste time and create risk.
Here are some simple principles to help improve your communication skills.
“You cannot not communicate”
The principle “You cannot not communicate” tells us that silence, body language and tone in written communication all send out messages.
For accountancy students, this is a reminder to remain mindful of non-verbal cues, tone and timing in meetings, emails and virtual settings. You are never invisible.
Meetings
In face-to-face meetings, you're still communicating even when you’re not speaking. Your posture, eye contact and facial expressions can be interpreted by others and people will make assumptions about whether you’re engaged, bored, confident or open to feedback.
Be aware of listening cues. When a client or colleague is speaking, show you’re actively listening by nodding or occasionally saying, “I see” or “That makes sense.” This communicates respect and interest, reassuring the other person that you value their input, even when you’re not actively speaking.
Emails
The tone in an email is important to get right as messages can easily be misinterpreted. Every choice in word, structure and even punctuation conveys tone.
In our work, we often seek information from busy people. For example, “Respond by Friday” and “Could you please have the response ready by Friday?” both communicate a deadline, but the latter comes across as more collaborative.
Overly formal language can seem cold or detached. Aim for a warm yet professional tone to make recipients feel more comfortable and willing to engage.
Even response time is a form of communication—quick responses can convey efficiency, while delays may unintentionally signal a lack of priority.
Virtual meetings
Virtual interactions bring unique communication challenges. Silence feels more pronounced on video calls, where pauses may be misinterpreted.
If a participant turns off their camera, it might signal disengagement, or it could simply mean a technical issue or a need for privacy. A note in the chat can easily explain a missing face on the screen without the unintentional insult.
When you’re speaking, remember to smile, use hand gestures and keep your tone upbeat to convey openness. If you need a moment to gather your thoughts, simply say, “Give me a second to pull up that data.” Small acknowledgements can prevent misunderstandings that silence may bring in a virtual space.
“The meaning of communication is the response you get”
Remember: good communication is not just about your intent, but also about the outcome. This is particularly important in finance, where technical topics can easily become complex or misunderstood.
If the message doesn’t come across as expected, it’s up to you to adjust how you’re communicating. I’ve often reviewed work where my colleague has said, “But that’s what I meant!” But it wasn’t what they said.
Meetings
This principle reminds us to focus on clarity and engagement. When presenting, watch for audience reactions—are they nodding, looking puzzled or asking for clarifications? These responses tell you how well your message is landing.
If someone looks confused, ask if they’d like you to explain it differently, perhaps by breaking down the information further or offering a different example.
To check understanding, say “Is everyone okay before I move on?”
Emails
In email communication, look for responses that confirm comprehension.
When explaining something technical, provide context that guides your reader toward a clear understanding. Use concise subject lines and straightforward language.
Conclude with an open-ended question, such as, “Does this explanation make sense?” or “Is there any area you’d like more detail on?” This invites clarification, helping to ensure your message is fully understood.
If the response to your email suggests confusion, reply with patience. Simplify your language and provide a summarised recap if necessary.
If appropriate, ask the recipient to walk you through what didn’t land for them. Take notes for future adjustments.
Before you click send on an email, it’s important to do a self-review of what you have written.
- Answer the question: Summarise the question being posed to others at the start to ensure focus.
- Highlight actions: Make actions clear. Don’t make readers search for them.
- Ensure clarity: Use simple, readable language.
Virtual meetings
Virtual meetings add complexity to communication. Non-verbal cues are harder to pick up, so the meaning of your communication becomes even more dependent on intentional check-ins.
Look for engagement indicators, like people turning on their cameras, nodding, or adding comments in the chat.
Mix it up by using screen-sharing tools. You may have the technological advantage here!
Regularly pause to invite questions or reactions, asking, “How is this coming across for everyone?” or “Any questions so far?” This lets you gauge understanding and adjust as needed.
Putting it all together
Applying these principles means taking responsibility for how your message is received.
Effective communication isn’t just about what you say, it’s about observing how your message is received.
By watching responses and understanding that silence or body language can carry powerful messages, you can become a more effective communicator, building trust and clarity with other students, colleagues and clients alike.
Carmel Moore is Director at the One Moment Company
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