Related Career Categories

• Accounting Manager
• Auditor
• Bookkeeper
• Business Accountant
• Controller
• CPA
• Financial Investigator
• Government Accountant
• Not-For-Profit Accountant
• Tax Accountant
• Tax Preparer

School and Career Surprises: Tips From People on the Job

Career: "I was very pleased to learn that I had received very good advice with respect to combining a business discipline such as Accounting with Computer Science, especially in the mid-90's when technology was literally changing the way everyone does business. While I did not enjoy pure accounting, I did enjoy learning about and helping others learn accounting systems. Having some education and expertise in both disciplines was extremely beneficial. This opened a whole new career opportunity of working with all sorts of businesses as they implemented various systems. This scenario was the most surprising aspect of my profession."

Best & Worst Things About This Career

"Best part of my job is seeing the development of my team members. I enjoy teaching others and seeing their skills improve each day/week/month. It is very satisfying. Another part that is great is being able to see growth in our client's business. Knowing we helped their company be better is very gratifying. A not so enjoyable part is when individuals don't approach their job seriously and work hard. This means that as a manager, I need to have serious conversations about their job performance. Sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn't."

"The best part of my job is meeting interesting people and doing something a little different every day. For the most part the people you service and the businesses you do work for are happy to see you come and are very nice to you. One of the best things about accounting is that you can do it part-time (mother's hours) or seasonally. Since tax season runs from January to April, most accountants work like crazy 'til May, then have their summers (almost) off. Sometimes you can even work from home if you have the necessary computer software. One of the worst parts about being a tax accountant is that the rules are constantly changing. Luckily most firms will send you for training but you do need to keep up and do a lot of reading on your own. I do not care for the travel, especially in bad weather, that is sometimes required."

"The best part of the job is that you get to work with some of the brightest minds in the industry. You work independently, so if your superior is agreeable, it is a perfect industry for raising a family as you can hammer out a flexible schedule. The worst part of the profession is the deadlines. Some weeks you will need to put in overtime to meet these deadlines and if your fiscal year follows the calendar you will not be able to take a vacation during the Christmas holidays."

"Best part of my job is the people. I work with highly intelligent people, but the thing that sets them apart is that we see ourselves as a team. We share successes and avoid blaming each other when things go wrong. Working in the right environment that fosters growth, trust and teamwork has been the best part of my job. The worst part is the hours. As I have ascended the ladder, the responsibilities have increased and so have the hours. Many weeks I work between 50-60 hours as opposed to the normal 40."

Tips for Succeeding in This Career

"First, you must like to work with as many personality types as possible. Between team members and client contacts, there are numerous challenges to being able to work efficiently and successfully with everyone. Second, be open to change. In the online world, everything changes very frequently and so be comfortable to change. Learn how to embrace change as positive or a new challenge to overcome and not as a problem. Lastly, do everything you can to be strong analytically as this job requires a great deal of math skills so develop those skills as early as possible."

"I would recommend getting some first-hand experience of what accounting really is. You need to be sure you will like the profession you have chosen. Try to get an internship position during the school year or consider going to a college which has a cooperative learning program, like Northeastern University. If you complete your accounting degree, be sure to get your certification to become a Certified Public Accountant. It will require passing a rigorous exam after college and will require getting your master's degree and working for a public accounting firm for several years. It will prove of great value to you, however, throughout your career ."

"I was very fortunate to get a higher level position without a degree. If you want to advance in the accounting business these days, though, you will probably need a bachelors degree in accounting. Being a certified public accountant will also be of great benefit. Strong communication skills are a must as well as proficiency in Excel, Word and possibly even PowerPoint. If a degree does not fit into your schedule then consider an AA degree or take a few classes at the local community college."

"1. Pick a career you will enjoy. There is nothing worse than being in a job you hate and do not feel you can get out of. And there is nothing worse than working with a person who feels that way. 2. Pick a college with a history of strong job placement in your field of choice. If you know what field you want to go into, make sure your school has a good reputation and a strong placement record in that area. 3. Make sure your written and verbal presentation skills are strong. Even as an accountant my writing ability is what set me apart the most when I first started. The amount of writing required in most fields is pretty high and being able to communicate well is a huge advantage. 4. Most jobs require some level of team work and the ability to get along with other people. Get involved in team activities so you can hone your team skills. This is extremely important in just about any field."