The importance of digtal literacy in the accounting field.

Digital technology refers to any electronic device, automated system, technological device and resource that creates, processes and stores information (Johnson, 2021). Examples of digital technologies are computers, laptops, cellphones and all the systems and programs that come with these devices such as email, internet, social media, back-up system and software programs. To be able to make use of digital technologies a person needs to have digital literacy. Digital literacy means possessing the skills necessary to live, study and work in a society where communication and access to information are enhanced by digital technologies such as internet platforms, social media, computers and mobile devices (West Sydney University, 2020). Many jobs in different fields require digital literacy or computer skills. In the accounting field it is very important that as an accounting practitioner you have strong computer skills (Indeed career guide, 2020). Modern day accountants don't make use of papers and files to store data. Instead they use computer programmes such as excel and database to record transactions or any other records and store them in computer files which can then be printed out when needed as a hard copy. It is very essential that accountants possess the skills to make use of digital technologies as it will be apart of their daily job. According to Indeed career guide (2020) computer skills include:

• Database management, which is the collection of data which is accessible on the computer, usually to store data such as payrolls. This is done through spreadsheet.
• Productivity software, which is a software that assists in the creation of documents (word documents), emails, graphs, worksheets and presentations. For example power-point presentation used to present findings from audit investigations.
• Accounting systems, which is the ability to use and understand the many accounting softwares. 

The accounting field is linked with technology. Reason being that accountants make use of computer software which are technology systems  to record and store data (Fya, 2020). Every workplace thrives to have efficient operations, which is why they make use of digital technologies. That is how Digital technologies and our professions are linked.

Reference list

FYA. 2020. 5 Skills you might be surprised to get from being an accountant, 4 February 2020. [Online]. Available at: https://www.fya.org.au/2020/02/04/5-skills-you-might-be-surprised-to-get-from-being-an-accountant/ [Accessed 18 March 2021].

Indeed career guide. 2020. Basic computer skills: Definition and examples, 28 December 2020. [Online]. Available at: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/basic-computer-skills-resume [Accessed 18 March 2021].

Johnson, K. 2021. What is digital technology? 25 Best examples, 8 February 2021. [Online]. Available at:  https://honestproscons.com/what-is-digital-technology-25-best-examples/ [Accessed 18 March 2021].

Western Sydney University.2020.  What is digital literacy?, 26 November 2020. [Online]. Available at: https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/studysmart/home/study_skills_guides/digital_literacy/what_is_digital_literacy  [Accessed 18 March 2021].