What do you think of accounting as a career option?

Question

Would like to hear from people that are thinking about it and also people who may already do this as a career. I realize there are many variables in accounting to pursue but I would love to hear why people are considering it as a career and also why people may enjoy it as a career. Also how flexible of a career is it. Can one branch out into to many industries and does it have opportunities for someone who would like to work independantly.
Thanks for your time. Tereka

Answer 1

The main question is whether you want to go Big 4 or not. I graduated a highly regarded accounting program (top 4) and worked for Ernst & Young. While in school we were told that Big 4 was the only way to go to get to the big $$$ eventually. Industry puts a big value on the experience you gain in public accounting but keep in mind that it is SOUL CRUSHING work.

I worked for EY for over a year and a half doing audit and I wouldnt wish it upon anyone. 60-80 hour weeks were standard for a paltry $45K (no OT). After 1.5 years I decided to get out and got a job in private industry within less than a week for a raise and almost half the hours and Im happy again.

Your best bet after saying that would be to go Big 4 for at least 2 years, obtain your CPA and then get out before it crushes your soul. I was told by a partner that staff accountants (year 1 & 2) were like dixie cups...just use em and throw em away.

Answer 2

Accounting is a good field if you enjoy working with numbers, computers and sorting information.

You can work in the field of accounting as a bookkeeper all the way up to a CPA.

Bookkeepers generally require some education and training. Bookkeepers keep the books for a business. Duties may include payroll, payroll taxes, sales taxes, accounts receivable, accounts payable, etc.

Accountants are those in the field that hold a degree in accounting, but are not a CPA.

CPA's have a 4 - 5 year degree in accounting. They have worked under a CPA for a few years and have passed the CPA exam.

CPA's have the best job outlook if you are looking for $$$. But the exam is tough to pass.

CPA's generally do more financial and accounting consultations and taxes. Many CPA's have their own business.

If you are considering this field maybe you should consider taking a basic accounting course and see if you like it.

You may want to check out the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers at www.aipb.com.

If you are interested in learning how to do taxes, H & R Block offers tax courses each fall. They also hire students.

In accounting you can be self-employed, you can work for a company or you can even work for the government.

You can work in general bookkeeping, tax accounting or even auditing. Auditors review the books and check for mistakes.

As a CPA your busiest time will be tax season - but the summers are nice and slow - time from vacation!

Answer 3

It depends on what you chose (a CGA, CMA or CA)
CGA's specialize in Finance which is great because it's diverse
CMA's specialize in manufacturing which is OK but it mostly involves costing and margins and allocations so you really have to have a good understanding of manufacturing
CA's have a variety of specializations. They are in high demand in the industry but only after you've completed 5 years in a public accounting firm. After 5 yrs, they can chose any industry to move forward in. If you stay at the public accounting firm then you basically have to choose a speciality (audit, taxation, estate planning etc)