If one were about to ask their friends or colleagues about the notions that they associate with the career of accounting, the words that would be said are most likely “responsibility”, “stability” and “immovability”. This is why some will probably be surprised to discover that accountants themselves do not view their field as such a conservative environment – even though they do recognize their job’s importance. The stories of people who chose careers in accounting prove that this might be the occupation for expanding one’s creativity, learning how to communicate, and embracing change.
It is evident that no business organization functions without economic resources such as machinery, materials, and money – all of which are handled with the help of accounting information. This is, according to Lumen, the main reason why accounting is called “the language of business”. However, it is curious how accountants view interpreting this language as an opportunity to build real-life communication with their colleagues. For instance, Thomas Dow, – a lecturer of accounting at the university – when asked about what he enjoys the most about the field, said it was telling the story (North Carolina State University). He stated that the most rewarding memories of his career in the corporate setting were the moments when he got together with other people in order to reveal what information the data gathered provides about a business. Dow felt that he was a part of a big family striving to clarify the matters of the business world and pave the way for someone’s success. Therefore, the feeling of connectedness to others – something that might not necessarily belong in finance careers – definitely has a place in accounting.
Moreover, some people believe that accounting is a field centered on facts and numbers, where there is no place for creativity whatsoever. However, according to Hsiao and Nova, many of those who had such prejudices later realized that factors like creativity and flexibility could play an important role there (405). A great example of such person would be Tate Henshaw, a man with many hobbies and interests, who rather unexpectedly learned that two of them – math and music – can be successfully combined (Xero). What was even more unexpected is the fact that it was possible through him pursuing a career in accounting. As per Xero, working as an account manager for a music-business firm, Henshaw states that it is a job that creatively challenges him every day. Thus, if someone with artistic inclinations desires to get a career that allows them to express that, accounting is a field that should not be obliterated from the list of possible options.
Finally, the business world changes rapidly in accordance with the pace with which the world in general does – and so, consequently, does the field of accounting. Novin stated as far back as at the end of last century that accounting education, according to specialists at the time, needed to keep up with the alterations in the field (29). It was certainly necessary – the stories of people prove that unbelievable changes, indeed, have occurred. For example, Meyer cites the words of Steven Rainey, a CPA, recalling his colleagues scouring documents for days and weeks on end to find projects qualifying for research and development tax credits. Nowadays, it does not even have to be done by people – Rainey’s firm uses artificial intelligence. As one can see, in terms of using the newest technological developments to automatize particular processes, accounting is one of the fields that acknowledges progress and accepts it.
In conclusion, those who still believe that being an accountant means sitting behind the desk dealing with numbers and statistics all day long need to reconsider their views. Granted, numbers and statistics are an inevitable part of the job – but these create a space for finding creative solutions, collaborating with other specialists, and exploring the boundaries of technologies. Therefore, a person who likes the way all of it sounds should definitely consider a career in the field of accounting.
Works Cited
“Accounting Defined”. Lumen, Web.
Hsiao, Jony, and Silvia Pereira de Castro Casa Nova. “Generational Approach to Factors Influencing Career Choice in Accounting.” Revista Contabilidade & Finanças, vol. 27, 2016, pp. 393-407.
“Merging Maths and Music in an Accounting Firm”. Xero, Web.
Meyer, Cheryl. “Interesting CPA Stories of How Tech Has Transformed Accounting”. Journal of Accountancy, 2020, Web.
“Thomas Dow: Accounting as Storytelling”. North Carolina State University, 2021, Web.
Novin, Adel M. “Education for Careers in Management Accounting, Auditing, and Tax: A Comparison.” Journal of Education for Business, vol. 73, no. 1, 1997, pp. 29-34.