Why Accounting?

Okay. I know this blog is all about being a CA (or an accounting graduate who is about to embark on an accounting career). But let me just step back a little bit in this post and write about taking up accounting as a course.

You see, over a month ago, I received an email from one of the readers asking me (or any of the other writers here) if he should go into accounting. He actually wanted to take another career path; however, he recognized that what he wanted will not be feasible so he is thinking of taking up accounting instead. He listed several of his reasons for considering accounting, as well as several pros and cons (at least on his side).

Let me just use this post to answer his email.

To start with, I can definitely sympathize with the sender. When I was choosing my career path, my first choice was a career in computers. Unfortunately (or fortunately), that was not to be my fate and I became an accountant instead.

So why accounting?

First of all, because of the availability of accounting jobs out there. Heck, even the smallest businesses need accountants to manage their books. Lots of jobs? Definitely.

What about stable jobs? I’d like to say yes but realistically speaking, it’s as stable as the company you are working for but then even the most stable companies (or so, you think) can sometimes go pfft (remember Enron?). Or, if you’re in an accounting firm or you have your own, it depends on the clients that you have (remember AA?).  

Second, it’s not only the availability of jobs out there but also the variety of jobs. You can go from an accounts payable / receivable clerk or head to a finance manager to a bank personnel to an external or internal auditor to a controller or to a GL supervisor. You can even put up your own accounting firm or join the marketing department. I can go on an on with the kinds of jobs available for an accounting graduate and I’m not even getting into those jobs that one can get if one gets his or her license.

Third, it’s a relatively well – paying job. Why do I say ‘relatively’? Because it depends on one’s level and where one works. If you’re just starting, don’t expect the pay to be that good, especially if you are working for an accounting firm. But once you get up the corporate ladder, the pay starts to get better and better. Of course that’s assuming you are working your @ss off and proving to your boss that you’re an asset to the company (but that’s another story better reserved for future posts).

Fourth reason – flexibility. Not only in terms of the kind of accounting job one can handle but also in terms of geography. Big cities, small cities – all of these need accountants. The current trend towards globalization plus the adoption of the IFRS worldwide increased our chances of going to work not only in other cities within the country but also outside the country as well. Right now, I have friends who are working in various countries in Europe and in Asia. They’re also in the U. S. and in Australia. Need I say more?

Lastly, because of the prestige. No matter how other people might perceive our profession, I almost always see some awe in the faces of the people I’m talking to whenever they hear I’m a licensed accountant. I’m pretty sure some of the readers will not agree with me but I’m also certain some accountants have also experienced this.

And those are my reasons for choosing accounting. For those who read my post and who are already accountants or CAs, please leave a note below on why you became an accountant.

Seriously, why?

And that's it. I hope whoever wrote that email (not going to mention his name) will get to read this post (and the readers' notes) and be encouraged to go ahead and take up accounting. Good luck and drop us a note, okay? Cheers!