12 answers
SAHEED
Student
1
Question
Asked
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Is math's be necessary , am not good in maths
Am from Nigeria , and I need advice about my future career as a tax accountant . #accounting am in 11 grade
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12 answers
Jeremy Greene
Assurance Associate
5
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Jeremy’s Answer
Hi Saheed,
To go with the previous comment, accounting itself does not require complex math. The math skills you mostly use is addition, subtraction, multiply, and divide, which can be done in a calculator or Microsoft Excel. However, I would keep in mind certain math classes may be a prerequisite in an accounting program. This depends on the University, but mine required two math classes. I would check the requirements at schools you are interested in enrolling in to see what kind of math classes are required from everyone.
Overall, as a Tax Accountant you may work with many numbers but there will not be heavy math required outside of what a software or program does automatically. Hope this helps!
To go with the previous comment, accounting itself does not require complex math. The math skills you mostly use is addition, subtraction, multiply, and divide, which can be done in a calculator or Microsoft Excel. However, I would keep in mind certain math classes may be a prerequisite in an accounting program. This depends on the University, but mine required two math classes. I would check the requirements at schools you are interested in enrolling in to see what kind of math classes are required from everyone.
Overall, as a Tax Accountant you may work with many numbers but there will not be heavy math required outside of what a software or program does automatically. Hope this helps!
Thanks , I appreciate your answer/ advice . Thanks once again ☺️
SAHEED
Bill Huang
7
Answers
Updated
Bill’s Answer
Hi Saheed,
The short answer to your question is YES. You do need math skill to finish tasks.
I started my career as an audit associate, then became a senior revenue accountant. In my daily job, I work with numbers, reconciling account balances. I also look for accounting rules and guidance and check if balances are properly booked. With today's technologies, computer does a lot of calculations for us, but we still need to understand the basic math, being able to identify potential issues.
Get some more practice on math and you can do it.
The short answer to your question is YES. You do need math skill to finish tasks.
I started my career as an audit associate, then became a senior revenue accountant. In my daily job, I work with numbers, reconciling account balances. I also look for accounting rules and guidance and check if balances are properly booked. With today's technologies, computer does a lot of calculations for us, but we still need to understand the basic math, being able to identify potential issues.
Get some more practice on math and you can do it.
Julio Lopez
IT Analyst
34
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Julio’s Answer
Hey Saheed,
Accounting involves a lot of math, but not in the way you may think. In accounting, you tend to use new formulas that are taught to you in University, but most of the time you use either a calculator or excel to help you find the solutions. You may not be good at the math you are being taught now, whether it be algebra or calculus, but as long as you are good at basic math, you can learn how to be an accountant.
Tax Accountants have a lot of software to help them throughout their career and like I mentioned, you don't need to be great at math to pursue this career, as long as you have a good grip on basic math such as, adding, subtracting, multiplication, and division, you can let the software and calculators do the rest of the work for you. You will need to memorize some basic functions and eventually master the software, but that is something most people can do, given enough time. Don't worry too much about the math aspect right now, instead, pursue your future career with full confidence!
Good Luck!
Accounting involves a lot of math, but not in the way you may think. In accounting, you tend to use new formulas that are taught to you in University, but most of the time you use either a calculator or excel to help you find the solutions. You may not be good at the math you are being taught now, whether it be algebra or calculus, but as long as you are good at basic math, you can learn how to be an accountant.
Tax Accountants have a lot of software to help them throughout their career and like I mentioned, you don't need to be great at math to pursue this career, as long as you have a good grip on basic math such as, adding, subtracting, multiplication, and division, you can let the software and calculators do the rest of the work for you. You will need to memorize some basic functions and eventually master the software, but that is something most people can do, given enough time. Don't worry too much about the math aspect right now, instead, pursue your future career with full confidence!
Good Luck!
Thanks I appreciate your feedback
SAHEED
Kristina Verras
Accountant
39
Answers
Hartford, Connecticut
Updated
Kristina’s Answer
Although we work with numbers in accounting, it is not as math-heavy is many people assume. For the most part we apply basic math and relatively simple formulas. While it is important to understand how these formulas work, we often are using tools such as microsoft excel, calculators, or other systems that take care of the calculation part. Complex math that you may learn in school such as calculus does not really appear in your typical tax accountant roles.
Brionne Bachus
Accountant
4
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Brionne’s Answer
Hello Saheed!
The first comment people say to me when I say I am an Accountant is, "Wow, you must really like math!" Yes, I do like math, but the truth about accounting is, it does not require heavy math skills related to the math courses you take in HS and college. For the most part, the math we utilize is very basic. Once calculations become more complicated, there is an ample amount of software that we use to complete our tasks, especially Microsoft Excel.
I would say, do your best in math, learn as much as you can. However, my most significant advice would be to master EXCEL. As an accountant, EXCEL should be one of your best friends! :)
The first comment people say to me when I say I am an Accountant is, "Wow, you must really like math!" Yes, I do like math, but the truth about accounting is, it does not require heavy math skills related to the math courses you take in HS and college. For the most part, the math we utilize is very basic. Once calculations become more complicated, there is an ample amount of software that we use to complete our tasks, especially Microsoft Excel.
I would say, do your best in math, learn as much as you can. However, my most significant advice would be to master EXCEL. As an accountant, EXCEL should be one of your best friends! :)
Madi Dunlap
Forensic Consultant
193
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Madi’s Answer
Good afternoon,
At first, many people think that accounting is focused on mathematics. However, accounting does not typically require complex math equations or problems. Most accounting calculations that you will face in accounting classes can be done with a simple calculator. While practicing in the career field, there is software that can do math equations for you.
Continuing on, accounting is more so about knowing how to apply logic, rules and regulations to certain situations. Furthermore, there are different types of accountants. For example, a tax accountant will have to know the tax laws of where they are practicing. On the other hand, a forensic accountant will have to know how to properly apply investigative techniques.
All in all, accounting is not as heavily focused on mathematics as one would think. I wish you well on your tax accountancy journey.
At first, many people think that accounting is focused on mathematics. However, accounting does not typically require complex math equations or problems. Most accounting calculations that you will face in accounting classes can be done with a simple calculator. While practicing in the career field, there is software that can do math equations for you.
Continuing on, accounting is more so about knowing how to apply logic, rules and regulations to certain situations. Furthermore, there are different types of accountants. For example, a tax accountant will have to know the tax laws of where they are practicing. On the other hand, a forensic accountant will have to know how to properly apply investigative techniques.
All in all, accounting is not as heavily focused on mathematics as one would think. I wish you well on your tax accountancy journey.
Andrew Parrilli
Audit
3
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Andrew’s Answer
Hi Saheed,
Great question! You should feel comfortable working with numbers and understanding basic math as this will be the foundation that everything starts on. You should not feel like you need to know calculus or statistics to succeed as a tax accountant, but you should be able to understand basic math skills. In tax and business in general, if you are able to understand how the change of one number will impact other numbers you can succeed. There are areas in tax accounting you can still succeed in if you are not comfortable working with numbers. If you are committed, you can learn on the job the math skills needed to succeed.
Great question! You should feel comfortable working with numbers and understanding basic math as this will be the foundation that everything starts on. You should not feel like you need to know calculus or statistics to succeed as a tax accountant, but you should be able to understand basic math skills. In tax and business in general, if you are able to understand how the change of one number will impact other numbers you can succeed. There are areas in tax accounting you can still succeed in if you are not comfortable working with numbers. If you are committed, you can learn on the job the math skills needed to succeed.
William Tu
Accounting
8
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
William’s Answer
Definitely not. What is more important is your ability to adapt to a new situation and to learn quickly the ins and outs of the specific tasks. The math is done through excel, so you really only need to hone in on your flexibility and adpatability
Jake Schear
Tax Accountant
2
Answers
Tampa, Florida
Updated
Jake’s Answer
I feel that accounting gets a judgement that you just deal with numbers and you have to be good at math. That is somewhat true but the field has changed. I believe it goes way beyond just math. Numbers will always be a part of accounting, what is most important is the ability to communicate effectively, having a mindset where you want to learn new skills, being coachable, and being willing to learn from your mistakes. The field has become very software oriented such as using tools like excel,alteryx, I feel like knowing how to use these will be more useful than being good at math as they do the math for you.
Carl Yacoub
CPA
2
Answers
Miami, Florida
Updated
Carl’s Answer
Don't get discouraged if you are not top of your class in mathematics. You can make it far in the accounting profession without being a math wizard. It is more important to use critical thinking and logic and to have a strong work ethic. Best of luck to you as you navigate your career path!
Laurie Martin
Director of Financial Reporting
23
Answers
Fenton, Michigan
Updated
Laurie’s Answer
You need to have basic math skills. Most of accounting requires logical thinking and the ability to interpret/ follow guidance.
Tommy O'Toole
Accountant
3
Answers
Redwood City, California
Updated
Tommy’s Answer
Hi - as the other answers to this question have stated - accounting has less math in it than many people think. As a client focused service business key skills are strong communication and the ability to solve problems. Good analytical skills are important. Deep math skills are not required.