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Whether you’ve just left school and are looking for a durable career option or your current working role leaves you feeling unfulfilled and bored, studying accounting is worth considering. It is open to both career changers and those embarking on their first professional pathway.
You may have considered it previously, especially if you enjoy working with numbers, but maybe you’re still unsure. If so, perhaps these key benefits and reasons might help you get off the fence and launch your accountant’s career.
It’s Stable and Secure
As long as there’s business, there will be a demand for qualified accountants and bookkeepers. In some respects, they’re the heartbeat of the company, overseeing every aspect of business finances and helping keep the company profitable and growing.
Regardless of what happens with the wider economy, accountants are necessary and respected. In fact, it could be argued that the more challenging the economic situation, when smart financial decisions are crucial, the more vital a role accountants play.
When you’re looking for a stable, reliable career that’s also well paid and flexible, learning accountancy will ensure your skills are always in high demand.
There’s Scope for Professional Growth
A career in accounting can take you wherever you wish to go. There is a clear career path with a logical progression that leads you to a higher status and professional rewards.
You’ll probably start on one of the lower rungs, maybe as an accounts assistant or junior auditor or finance junior. From there, following further study and exams, you’ll be qualified to join professional bodies and achieve qualified accountant status.
It’s also reassuring to know you don’t necessarily need a degree to start studying accounting, and if previous family commitments, your location, or anything else makes full time, in-person study difficult, you can study accounting online.
You can Work in a Field You’re Passionate About
Accountancy is endlessly diverse. Since all business sectors need accountants, you can choose to work in a specialism or field that excites you such as fashion, politics, music, sport, or any industry sector. Equally, you can specialise within the profession, becoming an expert in tax or auditing for instance.
Learning more than one discipline in accounting can also help keep your career interesting throughout your life, opening even more doors of opportunity as your skills develop and broaden.
Beyond those wide choices is the option to work globally. Accountants are needed all over the world so if living and working abroad is part of your long-term career plan, accountancy should be a strong contender in your career and study choices.
The skills Needed are Transferable Skills You Probably Already Have
We tend to overlook skills we gain through simply living life and coping with day-to-day happenings and circumstances. But often these skills are exactly what employers and training organisations, colleges and universities are looking for.
What transferable skills are needed for accountancy?
- Problem Solving – we all run into problems, recognise them as such and find ways to either solve or mitigate their effects. Your problem-solving skills will enable you to spot financial risks and find ways to minimise them, so the business stays profitable.
- Time Management – if you can prioritise tasks so they all get done on time, you’ve learned the basics of time management. Accountants run into deadlines all the time, so using time effectively is a vital skill.
- Organisation – chaotic working practises can cause all kinds of problems for business, whether it’s your own as a self-employed accountant or whether you work for an established organisation. If you’ve successfully navigated school, college or university (or just learned to organise your family and children effectively) you have demonstrable organisation skills.
- Self-motivation – can you keep yourself on track with a work schedule when you have a high level of independence? Accountants are generally autonomous and flexible, making their own decisions and working appropriately, so self-motivation is an important characteristic and skill.
- Discretion – you’ll have a deep insight into the finances and workings of whichever company or business employs you. You’ll need integrity and discretion when dealing with confidential financial information.
- Communication skills – you’ll need communication skills so you can translate technical terms and financial reports and records for non-professionals. You’ll also need to communicate with colleagues and clients, clearly explaining sometimes complex financial information.
None of these skills are beyond the scope of most people and are probably already part of your established skill set, even if you don’t yet recognise them as such.
Go Freelance or Self-Employed
With accountancy being in such high demand, there’s ample scope to start your own organisation whether you just want to work as a freelance individual, or your ambition is your own accountancy firm. Few professions offer the scope and versatility of accountancy.
Being your own boss is a huge draw for many people, not least among those who treasure flexible working hours or need to work around family commitments. With a qualification in accounting, you have the choice to either offer a full accountancy service or just help with bookkeeping.
As a professional accountant, the options for employment are wide and varied. You’ll enjoy a comfortable lifestyle, hold a respected position in the world, and enjoy stability and security throughout your career, which are some of the very best reasons for choosing any career path.