ACCA Applied Knowledge · Business and Technology · Personal effectiveness
Which of the following is the best example of a SMART personal development objective for a trainee accountant?
The best SMART objective is completing an advanced spreadsheet course and building a rolling cash flow model by 30 September. It is specific, measurable, relevant and time-bound. The alternatives are vague aspirations with no clear measure or deadline, so they fail the SMART test.
- ABecome better at Excel
- BComplete an advanced spreadsheet course and build a rolling cash flow model for the department by 30 SeptemberCorrect
- CTry to learn as much as possible this year
- DBe the best accountant in the firm eventually
Explanation
A SMART objective is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. Only the course and cash flow model with a 30 September deadline meets these criteria. The others are vague, unmeasurable or have no time limit.
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