TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Why Become an Accountant?
- Accounting Career—Advantages and Disadvantages
The Advantages of an Accounting Career
The Disadvantage of an Accounting Career - Starting an Accounting Career in 2025
- Conclusion
- FAQs
Why Become an Accountant?
An accounting career entails providing strategic analysis to management, which influences business decision-making. This is why accounting also involves the study of certain accounting laws because the process deals with compliance with state standards and regulations.
Advancements in technology have made careers in accounting more exciting, enabling accountants to focus more on keeping track of performance and at the same time formulating strategies to boost operations and achieve savings. Recession-proof, careers in accounting, such as a CPA, for example, continue to grow. Accounting professionals can work in various strategic roles across teams because of the deep understanding of how businesses sustain their operations.
Accounting Career—Advantages and Disadvantages
Just like other careers, accounting has its advantages and disadvantages. If you think the field is the right path for you, it’s important to dig deeper into what your typical day-to-day scenario may be as an accountant. Whether you pursue different roles in the field, such as becoming a US CPA, it’s important to weigh pros and cons to help you determine how the career fits your personality, life priorities, and work style.
The Advantages of an Accounting Career
There’s so much to love about the field of accounting. Check out the perks you can expect if you opt to become an accountant.
- Stable and Growing Field
The saying, “nothing is certain except death and taxes” is more than an old quote. It’s a witness to how much taxes are built into life, not just in the United States but the rest of the world as well. The accounting profession, such as if you want to become a CPA, is not going anywhere soon.
- Work Flexibility
In some fields, you may have to uproot your life and move to a different place to find work. With accounting, there is nothing to worry about that. While it’s true that some opportunities tend to be in big population centers, there will always be a need for accounting professionals elsewhere.
- Entrepreneurial Potential
In accounting, the dream of becoming your own boss is alive and well. If you have that entrepreneurial spirit, starting an accounting firm is a wonderful way to grow your career. A lot of accountants later on opened their firm or have their own business unrelated to accounting.
- Opportunities to Help
Although the career may not be the first thing that people who find happiness and fulfillment in helping others think of, it still has instances that can bring that level of satisfaction. Accountants can enjoy helping people and business organizations understand their taxes, helping them get a better handle on their finances and pursue many growth opportunities. As trusted professionals, accountants get the satisfaction of helping others navigate their business operations confidently.
The Disadvantages of an Accounting Career
Working in the accounting field may also have its drawbacks. It’s important to know the less appealing parts of this career to help you decide what suits you best.
- Demand of Ongoing Education
Laws and regulations continue to evolve to meet the changing needs, thus, you likely need more than a bachelor’s degree and an accounting degree to keep pace. You need continuing education to keep up with the changes. Most accountants opt for professional credentials, such as US CPA, and so on.
- The Work Could Become Monotonous
Accounting is not always a glamorous field. It can sometimes be monotonous and there would be instances where you doing mindless and tedious number crunching. Doing repetitive tasks repeatedly can become like a routine with nothing new.
- Stressful Work
There is bound to be pressure when you’re responsible for the finances of a business organization. The stress could have an impact on your overall mental health; thus, you should take this very seriously into consideration before you go for the job. Stress levels have much to do with the place of work and the specifics of the role.
- Busy Season
Typically, accounting is a standard 9-5 job, except for certain times of the year coming up to deadlines. Busy season for most accountants starts after New Year’s up to mid-April. Long days and weekend work are the norm as accountants work to get the finances of their clients in order.
Starting an Accounting Career in 2025
In accounting, some people start with an undergraduate degree in a different field, such as business, before opting for a bachelor’s or master’s in accounting. Others go for other certifications. Below are some general steps you need to start your accounting career this year and onwards.
1. Bachelor’s Degree
For entry-level positions, a bachelor’s degree is the standard minimum requirement. It provides a foundational knowledge of the principles and theories of accounting. Aside from learning the fundamentals, you also have to take courses like accounting information systems and auditing. Finishing a US accounting course could help you land a job for full-time work.
2. Choosing between an Accountant and CPA
A CPA certification means you’re a qualified accounting professional and expert. All CPAs are accountants, but not all accountants are CPAs. A certified public accountant takes on an extra step and goes through rigorous state requirements. CPAs have a big opportunity for bonuses and climb in the corporate ladder fast. They earn more and can perform more duties than accountants.
3. Choose an Accounting Specialty
Instead of just being an accountant, you could choose to become an accountant skilled in a particular sector. This includes personal finance planning, forensic accounting, and many more. A major advantage of accountant specialization is that it makes you a valuable asset to your potential clients.
4. Obtain a Master’s Degree
This is optional. Nevertheless, keep in mind that despite its growth, accounting continues to be a competitive field. You need to stand out from the competition to work in top firms and for a bigger chance to earn a lucrative job. Education and experience always help. A master’s degree gives you a deeper knowledge of the industry and boosts your earning potential.
5. Accounting Certification
When you’re an accountant, it would be great for you to pursue certification to boost your credibility and skills. There are several accounting certifications, and you can earn more than one. The CPA license is the most popular. However, there are others, such as Enrolled Agent or EA that can help propel your career.
Conclusion
If the accounting profession sounds like a pretty good option for you, then you need to figure out some logistics. How much would it cost? A bachelor’s or an associate degree? There are also a lot of accounting programs you can find in colleges and universities as well as online. There are just so many paths to take and the journey to becoming an accountant is challenging but rewarding, with a big opportunity for growth.
FAQs
Q. Why should I choose Accounting?
Ans. Accounting offers a highly flexible career and plenty of opportunities to earn more. Most importantly, it will remain constant whatever the state of the economy may be.
Q. What skills do I need?
Ans. You need analytical abilities, knowledge of accounting software, math proficiency, critical thinking, leadership, time management, and organizational skills.
Q. How can I start an accounting career this year?
Ans. Begin by earning a bachelor’s degree in accounting to pursue entry-level positions, such as bookkeeper, accounting clerk, or tax examiner.
Q. What are some high-demand accounting roles?
Ans. High-demand roles include management analyst, personal financial advisor, financial analyst, financial manager, and so on.
Q. How does technology affect the accounting field?
Ans. Technology has considerably impacted the accounting field by routine tasks, making accountants focus on strategic activities.