Skills that I Could Use at Any Accounting Job?

[Gatzbie]

Hi, I am being asked to set goals for myself this summer at my accounting internship. I need to come up with something by Monday to tell my boss. What would be some good goals to set for a beginner accounting intern?  I was given some great advice to "develop skills that I could use at any company."  What accounting skills can be used not just at one company... but any company?

 I have learned how to use accounting softwares at this company..but most companies use different softwares(correct me if I'm wrong). I can't take that knowledge and use it at a different company if I wanted to.

So far I have...
1.) Keep improving my Microsoft excel skills. (I can be more specific on this don't worry). Most companies most likely use excel probably so I thought this would be a good one for starters.
2.) Conceptually Understand what I'm doing + why when given assignments. Instead of just going through motions.

That's it...would appreciate any advice!!!!!

[BeanCounter]

What year are you in school? Or have you finished school?
Do you know the nominal balances of all accounts? That's pretty basic so you probably do, but if you don't that would be number one. Do you know how to prepare an account reconciliation? Can you reconcile cash? Those would be two first level functions I would expect you to know.

IMHO, all account software is basically the same. I've never understood why people worry about which software you know in an interview. Once you understand how one SAP system works you can figure out the next one pretty easily.

[Gatzbie]

What year are you in school? Or have you finished school?
Do you know the nominal balances of all accounts? That's pretty basic so you probably do, but if you don't that would be number one. Do you know how to prepare an account reconciliation? Can you reconcile cash? Those would be two first level functions I would expect you to know.

IMHO, all account software is basically the same. I've never understood why people worry about which software you know in an interview. Once you understand how one SAP system works you can figure out the next one pretty easily.

Senior, graduate in December. Yes I know those things.  Me neither!

[Sibley]

Communication is a biggie - written and oral.