Is Accounting Really Boring? (2024)

When you think of accounting, do you imagine hours of dull work slogging through dry numbers? While Accounting may get a bad reputation for being a boring occupation, but its image is entirely undeserved. Accounting is not boring and, if you have a knack for numbers, you may find that accounting is an exciting option that provides you with fresh daily challenges and a great sense of accomplishment.

Intriguing Careers in Accounting

Not all accounting jobs are created equal, and the employees who fit into these positions are as diverse as the tasks themselves. Ask a group of accountants why accounting was their chosen occupation and you'll likely get a wealth of different answers. This field offers suitable positions for many different personality types. Some of the jobs you may find include:

• Public accountant – handles auditing, taxes, consultations, and general accounting for varied clients ranging from major corporations to individuals
• Auditor – may work internally or externally, inspecting financial records for disparities and opportunities to improve efficiency
• Management accountant – works internally to handle budgeting and accounting for a specific company
• Forensic accountant – investigates financial records and prepares expert evidence that can be used in trial
• Nonprofit accountant – manages finances and budgetary concerns for nonprofit organizations
• Personal financial advisor – works with individual clients to help them achieve their personal goals regarding investments, taxes, and insurance

Whether you're intrigued by tax laws, or you have an eye for improving manufacturing processes, there's an accounting job that will let you indulge your interests while earning a good salary. The median wage for accountants and auditors is $67,190, making this a lucrative choice for any money-minded job seeker.

Why Go into Accounting? - The Mystery is in the Numbers

Accounting isn't just about crunching the numbers. If you're wondering why accounting is fun for many employees, the answer is in the everyday mystery of the job. Accountants are like detectives, finding valuable clues hidden in the everyday accounts.

As a forensic accountant, you may unravel critical clues that uncover deep corporate scandal. If you're a management accountant, analyzing the records might reveal an interesting opportunity to tweak your production process and plug up an ongoing drain on your bottom line. Land a job as an auditor and you'll be responsible for closely inspecting reports to spot numbers that don't match up, then tracking these to their source.

Accounting Isn’t Always a Solo Career

Is accounting boring to you because you imagine it as a one-man career where you're isolated at a desk with pages of numbers in front of you? Accounting is actually far more social than most people realize. Accountants are in constant contact with their clients. Management accountants work closely on a team with business managers and others within the company. Public accountants often work for themselves and maintain a long list of clients that they need to build strong relationships with.

Personal financial advisors have one of the most social jobs of all. If you enjoy helping individuals and families in a more personal environment, this is the best pick for you. You'll sit down with your clients and discuss everything from the state of their current bank accounts to their long-term goals for retirement, college savings, or a home purchase. You can help your clients make their dreams a reality with smart financial planning, and watch as they enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Start Your Accounting Degree Today

Accounting is a fast-paced career that's always evolving. The current financial climate is always changing, and the best accountants dedicate themselves to following these trends and responding promptly to an uptick in the economy or a pending threat to their industry's financial stability.

While you can get started in an entry-level career at an accounting firm with an Accounting Assistant Diploma, you'll find that working to continually further your education will open a wealth of new doors to you in the field of accounting. If you'd like to advance your career to become a certified public accountant (CPA), you'll need an Accounting Bachelor's Degree. You must then obtain two years of work experience and take the appropriate exams with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

As a CPA, your journey doesn't end there. You'll need to complete continuing education activities to maintain your CPA. The AICPA requires 120 hours of continuing education every three years, so your learning is never finished.

The accounting profession has many opportunities for excitement, contrary to its boring reputation. Take a closer look inside this career and you'll find that accounting can be fun, intriguing, and highly satisfying. For more information on accounting programs available at Bryant & Stratton College, contact the Admissions office at 1.888.273.2758.

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