Riddle time!
I’m an odd number, but take a letter away, and I’m even.
The answer? Seven! Take the “s” away, and you have “even.”
If you like math riddles like the one above, you’re a number nerd. Chances are, you could excel in an accounting career.
As an accountant, you’ll be able to enjoy job security without limiting your ability to grow. You can always learn more and specialize in different areas of finance to boost your credentials.
What other perks does the role have to offer? Read on to finally decide if accounting is the right career choice for you.
An Accounting Career Means Choices
If you have an accounting career, you’ll have an opportunity to be a part of any business, whether a government, corporate or nonprofit. You’ll be joining a highly regarded profession that offers opportunities for you to advance.
You could work as a financial analyst, accounting manager, bookkeeper, auditor, etc. As an expert, you’ll have a lot of autonomy. When it comes to decisions, planning, or overall operations, many choices will come to you directly.
Stand Apart From the Competition
If you like being an accountant, you can give yourself even more of a competitive edge by taking the CPA exam. Working as a licensed CPA, you’ll instantly be able to land higher-paying positions. As you gain experience with your license, the money will continue to grow.
Top of the Line Benefits
Good pay isn’t the only reason to become an accountant. You’ll also have access to some of the best benefits around. For instance, let’s say you land a job as a staff accountant.
You’ll be helping clients maintain their general ledgers and dealing with real estate tax liabilities. In addition to making somewhere around $50,000 a year, you’ll probably have a great healthcare plan, 401k, and other investment opportunities.
Freedom to Work Where You Want
Along with choosing the industry you want to work in, you’ll also be able to select your actual job location. Unlike other career paths that require you to relocate, accountants can work from anywhere. You could live on the east coast, west coast; the choice is yours.
You could even work in a virtual capacity. Since the world of accounting is so broad, you’ll be able to find your preferred work location no matter what industry you’re interested in.
Along with enjoying the flexibility of where you work, you’ll also have a lot of say over when you work. As long as you can meet clients’ needs and fulfill your job roles, you can design your day however you like.
Start Your Own Business
Suppose you’re serious about choosing when and where you work. In that case, you could go into business for yourself as a freelance accountant. We suggest getting a little bit of experience as an employee in the accounting world, before striking out on your own.
Once you’re comfortable in your chosen industry, you can start looking for ways to secure your own clients. Many freelance and contractor job platform boards are great for beginners. Sites like https://www.taxfyle.com/freelance-cpa-jobs can help you learn more about freelance opportunities.
You’ll be able to get a feel for working with clients on your own instead of diving in headfirst. As you slowly build your business, you can look into leaving your day job to be a full-time entrepreneur.
Be a Lifelong Learner
When someone feels unfulfilled in a career, it’s usually because they hit a plateau. Instead of building on their skill set, they keep doing the same thing daily.
As an accountant, there will be a lot of repetitive tasks. However, you’ll also be entering into a field that encourages you to be a lifelong learner. By continuing your education, you’ll be able to keep up with the latest trends in the industry.
You can always work on earning different certifications to help give you a competitive edge too. You can also challenge your brain by taking daily brain teasers that are math-related.
Accountant Certifications
What type of certifications should you look into as a beginner?
As an entry-level accountant, we suggest getting your certified management accountant certification or CMA. You can also get a chartered financial accountant certification, also called a CFA. These credentials do take a lot of time to earn, so it’s good to get the ball rolling right away.
Always a Job Opportunity
Let’s say you decide to strike out and start your own accounting business. Unlike other startups that have to wonder if there will be a demand, you’ll have a guaranteed busy season every year.
During the nonbusy season, you can expect to work around 8 hours a day. Depending on your time zone, you’ll probably be working a traditional 9 to 5 accounting role.
However, after New Year’s day, you can expect business to pick up. For many tax accountants, the busy season starts after New years and lasts until mid-April. As individuals look to file extensions, you can expect the busy season to trickle into May.
Different Accounting Jobs
Finally, let’s dive a little deeper into the different fields you can specialize in with an accounting degree. As an auditor, you’d be tasked with checking companies’ financial records.
You’d be looking for discrepancies, and if there are any, report them immediately. Auditors help ensure that companies comply with laws, especially when it comes to filing taxes properly.
If you’d like to get into the technical side of things, looking to become an information and technology accountant. You’ll be helping companies learn the best practices for managing their financial data. Along with your accounting know-how, you’ll be able to combine it with your computer expertise.
Lastly, financial analysts help guide investment choices by assessing a company’s financial condition. You’ll create an investment thesis and communicate with management directly.
A Bright Career Choice
When you decide to begin an accounting career, you choose to embark on a promising path. Even as an entry-level accountant, you can earn a comfortable living.
If you already have the schooling necessary to become an accountant, start applying for entry-level positions. If you still need to earn college credits, talk to an admissions officer to get things going.
The sooner you take action towards starting your career, the better you’ll feel about your future. If you’d like more ways to feel great, read another one of our articles.