We’ve all heard about the typical accountant stereotype, a number-crunching whiz tapping furiously on a calculator behind a stack of documents and files.
It is often thought that being an accountant means racking up piles of receipts and preparing tax returns all day, but that’s far from the truth. Accounting is an incredible profession that has contributed a lot more to society than just the double-entry bookkeeping system.
If I told you that Mick Jagger studied accounting, would you believe me? Well, he certainly did. Mick Jagger studied accounting at the London School of Economics, but ultimately, he is famous for more than his passion for numbers. He wrote and performed global hit songs with The Rolling Stones and he’s nothing like the introverted image associated with accountants.
But what does that mean for you? From building fintech products to travelling the world, we’ll provide some of the best reasons why you should consider accounting as a career path.
We’ll also share insights on how you can reap the rewards of technological advances that have allowed accounting professionals to work remotely, making it possible for you to review financial statements while relaxing by the pool.
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Table of contents
- Multiple industry working options
- The world is your playground
- High demand
- Quality compensation
- Growth and development
- Where to from here?
- Conclusion
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Multiple industry working options
Comparing accountants to mathematicians is overrated because accounting is more like solving a puzzle than doing maths. The coolest challenge in accounting is finding a solution. Whether you’re an auditor analysing a company’s financial records, a tax consultant working to maximise a client’s tax exemptions, or you’re just trying to figure out why an account isn’t balancing, you must solve problems and examine the numbers.
You’ll have endless possibilities at your disposal. Think local or state governments, such as public-school systems and law enforcement agencies, or even non-profit organisations and available accounting roles in tech, retail and hospitality.
Accounting will remain necessary for as long as financial information is documented, collected, analyzed, and archived.
The world is your playground
Accounting is one of the most portable qualifications available. Its principles are universal and membership in an organization such as the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is globally recognized and respected. This is the place where you can rely on their commitment to your success, but if you see yourself living abroad, a qualification in accounting and bookkeeping, or any of our other Ab² Certificates of Completion could be the passport to your dream destination. Additionally, accounting offers flexible career options, with 20% of its workforce working part-time or casually, facilitating a healthy work-life balance.
High demand
The demand for accountants will never decrease if money is around. In fact, according to JobOutlook, employment in the accounting industry is projected to grow 15.4% by 2024. The time for success in this field is better than ever before.
In recent years, accounting has evolved into a position of increasing worth and value. In the last few decades, accounting has become an integral part of not only the financial side of any business but also of the decision-making process within an organisation.
Accounting continues to be an indispensable role within an organisation’s financial structure, moving beyond the recording of facts and figures to leading critical decisions and planning for the future. As well as advising businesses on government support, interpreting policies and guiding them through their tax needs, accountants also play a key role in supporting the industry.
Despite the disruption caused by COVID-19, the Australian accounting sector is experiencing renewed confidence in business conditions and ramping up growth opportunities.
As accounting firms look to increase their capabilities and staff, they are fast-tracking their growth plans to meet this demand. This is fostering expectations of industry diversification and acquisitions – and this is where you come in.
The world of accounting offers a variety of career options, including working for the government, large multinational companies, or even for yourself as an independent consultant.
For more insight on various career pathways after you graduate, check out our blog article What career doors open up with a Diploma of Accounting?
Quality compensation
You probably have aspirations and needs. Maybe you want that Tesla or a house of your own. Maybe you just want to work so that you can live a comfortable life and save for your retirement one day.
Accounting is one of the best careers for those who want to earn a decent living. Not only do accountants have highly lucrative income potential, but they’ve also been known to receive great pensions, healthcare, holidays, and other benefits as well.
What’s not to like?
Growth and development
There’s plenty of opportunity for advancement in the accounting industry. A career in accounting can prepare you for a management job and lateral moves are on the rise. Once you’ve worked in a few different positions for a few years, you can apply for management jobs.
This is the industry for you if you like to hustle because a background in accounting can benefit CEOs and CFOs, along with other corporate executives.
In addition to countless growth and development possibilities, job satisfaction is something that EWM Accountants & Business Advisors state as another key factor in choosing this industry as it “will allow you to use many skills including leadership, problem-solving, team-building and communications skills with many accountants reporting that their ability to help and work directly with people gives them a great deal of job satisfaction.”
Where to from here?
With plenty of reasons to become an accountant, you are ready to get started on your career path! Your first step is to complete one of our comprehensive accounting qualifications and while it’s true that some accounting jobs don’t need one, having it will open many more opportunities for you in your career.
On the other hand, you may want to try out a basic online accounting course that may give you enough insight into this career choice before taking on a sturdier qualification.
Earning your Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping illustrates your commitment to the accounting industry and sets you apart from other candidates. Some of the more advanced accounting jobs sometimes require additional certification.
Obtaining a certificate before it is needed saves you time later. With so many flexible online courses available, it is a no-brainer to make time in your schedule for something that will boost your confidence and your career.
Conclusion
There are plenty of opportunities waiting for you in the accounting field and it is possible to secure a career with purpose in many industries and roles.
Accounting is a great career path to pursue because it offers great pay, growth opportunities, and the potential to help businesses achieve their maximum potential.
You can get started by completing an online accounting qualification that can land you that perfect job by choosing one of our customised, flexible and high-calibre courses built by industry professionals you can trust.
