How to be a successful mentor: managing challenges, avoiding pitfalls, and recognizing benefits

Citation

Viator, R.E., Dalton, D. and Harp, N. (2012), "How to be a successful mentor: managing challenges, avoiding pitfalls, and recognizing benefits", Human Resource Management International Digest, Vol. 20 No. 7. https://doi.org/10.1108/hrmid.2012.04420gaa.010

How to be a successful mentor: managing challenges, avoiding pitfalls, and recognizing benefits

Article Type: Abstracts From: Human Resource Management International Digest, Volume 20, Issue 7

Viator R.E., Dalton D. and Harp N.The CPA Journal (USA), May 2012 Vol. 82 No. 5, Start page: 68, No. of pages: 4

Records how, in recent years, public accounting firms and other organizations have recognized that mentoring junior-level accountants promotes long-term growth and success and, as a result, most firms encourage experienced personnel to engage in mentoring activities. Notes that many organizations use highly structured, formal programmes to facilitate the mentoring process and match potential mentors with potential proteges. Suggests that CPAs who have been asked to serve as formally assigned mentors or are considering informally mentoring lower-level employees should ask themselves whether they are aware of the potential challenges and pitfalls of mentoring and, more importantly, whether they know how to navigate around them. Identifies the roles that mentors perform, offers specific suggestions for managing mentoring challenges and avoiding mentoring pitfalls, and explores the personal benefits that CPAs can enjoy by becoming true mentors.ISSN: 0732-8435Reference: 41AL885

Keywords: Mentoring, Accounting industry, Accountants, Mentors, USA