Why Choose a Career in Accounting?

Here are 10 reasons you might choose a career in accounting:
#1: Job security
#2: Opportunities for advancement
#3: Multiple paths
#4: Good wages
#5: Prestige
#6: Work life balance
#7: Working into old age
#8: Improve your finances
#9: Insight for starting a business
#10: You get to help people
Some drawbacks to a career in accounting are that:
(a) You'll need a bachelor's degree
(b) You career options will be somewhat limited if you don't obtain a professional certification (e.g., the CPA if you're in the U.S.)
(c) You'll have to deal with the stress of busy season if you go into public accounting
(d) Accounting might not be a good fit for your personality and skillset
0:00 Introduction
0:23 #1: Job security
0:49 #2: Opportunities for advancement
1:06 #3: Multiple paths
1:29 #4: Good wages
1:59 #5: Prestige
2:16 #6: Work life balance
2:42 #7: Working into old age
3:04 #8: Improve your finances
3:23 #9 Insight for starting a business
3:41 #10 You get to help people
4:02 Drawbacks to a career in accounting
4:31 How to know if accounting is right for you
4:48 People who should avoid accounting
5:05 Accounting profession is changing
5:24 Ways to test accounting as a career
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[@MayTheSchwartzBeWithYou]

I'm a CPA 7 years into my career. This was a great, concise introduction to the profession. One thing I'd add that could be a selling point to a lot of people is that literally every business of a decent size needs at least one accountant, so no matter what industry you're interested in, you could probably get exposure to that industry through being an accountant. In my audit days, I conducted inventory counts of motorcycles for a well-known Japanese brand (and also audited them, though that was no fun). My first job in private was for a famous, beloved fast food chain. Now, I work for a real estate investment trust in the healthcare industry. Recruiters have reached out to me regarding accounting positions in industries as varied as entertainment, medical technology, cryptocurrency, and even cannabis. No matter what you're interested in, there's an accounting job in that industry (of course, industries do tend to be geographically concentrated in certain regions, although even this is becoming less of a factor nowadays thanks to remote work). Of course, I'm sure none of this is news to Edspira, but I figured this might be helpful for any students reading this.

[@Edspira]

That is a great point, thank you for sharing your journey. Being able to work with different types of companies keeps the work interesting!

[@RVC0902]

Accounting is a very valuable skill to have.

[@Edspira]

Indeed!

[@jasminej1265]

Love it!! Look forward to more videos about career management!

[@Edspira]

You got it!

[@hollaforadolla3911]

very good video! I like how you chose not to be biased and provided facts on all sides on whether why there are benefits to being in the accounting professional while also mentioning how some other jobs might be more beneficial depending on the person!

[@Edspira]

Thank you for noticing that. I thought about this a lot when I was creating the video, as I didn't want to come across as pushing anyone toward accounting. I'm glad you found the video to be well balanced!

[@PezerettaDarling]

I love your videos! They have help me so much in my courses towards my degree.

[@Edspira]

Glad you like them!

[@joshsimkins9309]

you help me a lot. keep up the good work.

[@Edspira]

Glad to hear that - thank you for the encouragement. More videos are on the way

[@fcbv1]

I love your channel!

[@Edspira]

Thank you so much!

[@espresso2445]

Great video. Just wondering, are you planning to release new “Scheme” episodes? Love that podcast

[@Edspira]

Yes, thank you for asking! I'm currently working on a new season of Scheme episodes. I'm hoping to release one/month starting this August. I hope you like the new episodes, I picked some fascinating cases!

[@dieterdelaet9760]

I don’t get how your channel doesn’t have 20k views or more. Might it be interesting to also make a video that explains te overlap with the other roles in finance or compare similar finance roles to the accounting roles you mentioned?

[@Edspira]

Yes, more videos like that are on the way!

[@laceybrooks9244]

Great video

[@Edspira]

Thank you!

[@ericgol7]

Small suggestion: try to avoid cutting between takes so much cause we can't see you blink and that may be a little off putting to some. That said, this was an awesome video as always, thanks for helping me get through my undergrad!

[@jacob0246]

love me some edspira!

[@Edspira]

😀

[@akhilharrydhasret8964]

That creative accounting joke👌

[@Edspira]

😆

[@lynetteadama2483]

Is there such a thing to be specialized in only one particular area of accounting? For instance, you only specialize in cost accounting advise and reports?...And still not provide the other services under management and financial accounting? I am just really curious on how specialized the profession can be within its own scope of work... hopefully that makes sense.

[@Edspira]

Yes, some people are hyper-specialized in an area of accounting. For example, there are some tax accountants who only focus on a specific area of taxation, such as 1031 exchanges.

[@erikadeleon-gj7sc]

I have dealership accounting, I only have a GED and I am going for a professional accounting certificate program. I know I cant get a CPA unless I have a Bachelor's But what could I be without it? Please Help...

[@Edspira]

You might consider becoming a bookkeeper (or working in accounts payable or accounts receivable)

[@tellingthetruth3148]

@@Edspira I have masted all that plus more. I just wanted to know what’s the highest rank I could go being that I only have a GED

[@tiffanytran7521]

I want the whole world to know that I am on my way to becoming a CPA all thanks to you, Dr. McLaughlin.

[@Edspira]

I'm so very happy for you, Tiffany! Congratulations!

[@tiffanytran7521]

@@Edspira Thank you! I passed all four parts. Your videos help a lot. A million thank you.

[@hhattingh]

Until accountants are not pigeon holed as bookkeepers rather than business advisors, value centers rather than cost centers. The value of a good accountant will always be overlooked. Only considered useful to mop up messes. Rather than be part of the long term strategy plan of an entity.

[@Edspira]

It's sad, but there's a lot of truth in what you said. Accountants are often undervalued when in fact they can be a tremendous resource

[@fmars99]

I agree. I live in a small town and most accounting offices here either just do taxes or bookkeeping and bank account balancing. I’m still a student and I’m trying to find my place in the accounting world.

[@jjg8605]

I’m being blocked illegally from working in my field I already have degree but not in accounting

[@jjg8605]

Too old for accounting

[@manitou5490]

😂😂 90 degree. That was a good one. The sun be like”I need you “🫵🏼