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dillon
Student
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Question
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What are the 3 things you like and dislike about accounting?
My Name is Dillon my dream job is accounting , I plan to get a CPA then go into the job as my career and I'd like to know what are 3 things you like and 3 things you dislike about accounting.
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10 answers
Patricia F.
2
Answers
Zürich, Switzerland
Updated
Patricia’s Answer
Hi Dillon!
I work in Accounting (to be more accurate in Accounts Payable). What I like about my job:
- It is an important career, as every company needs to get its accounting done.
- It helps with the understanding of finances.
- It’s very accurate so if it’s either right or wrong (for example: either you are in balance or not, there is no in-between).
What I don't like that much about it:
- It can be a bit repetitive since every process is every month/quarter the same, no creativity here.
- Closing the month/quarter/year is a long and busy process and usually, we are not allowed to take days off during that period.
- This accuracy might bring a bit of conflict with other teams (like following an expense policy and employees not doing it as they should).
I hope this helps!
I work in Accounting (to be more accurate in Accounts Payable). What I like about my job:
- It is an important career, as every company needs to get its accounting done.
- It helps with the understanding of finances.
- It’s very accurate so if it’s either right or wrong (for example: either you are in balance or not, there is no in-between).
What I don't like that much about it:
- It can be a bit repetitive since every process is every month/quarter the same, no creativity here.
- Closing the month/quarter/year is a long and busy process and usually, we are not allowed to take days off during that period.
- This accuracy might bring a bit of conflict with other teams (like following an expense policy and employees not doing it as they should).
I hope this helps!
Qian Zhang
Auditor
12
Answers
Port St. Lucie, Florida
Updated
Qian’s Answer
Hi! Happy to share my feeling about my career. I've been an auditor for 3 years, here are some thoughts from me:
3 likes:
1. It's not so hard to get a job and I can make a living with this job.
2. If I dedicate to my career, looks like I will have a good career development.
3. It's nice to meet different clients in work location, this raises my business acumen, this also help my life, for example, manage my money. Also, being an accountant need a person keep learning and it will never stop. You will obtain skills like research, quick learning and etc, these skills help me have a good habit in developing my career.
3 dislikes:
1. Repetitive work - this is something everybody mentioned and that's true for sure. For example, I performed testing over financial statement items, there are huge similar items and I am taking a look at very similar supports, which takes time and boring.
2. Working long hours - Not sure if this is the same situation in industry accountant, but in public accounting firm, during busy season, we need to work 60 - 80 hours a week.
3. The communication - the communication skills is important. We need to collaborate with our clients, managers, and so on. Also we need to take care of some admin stuff. Sometimes so many things come up at the same time and you need to tackle one by one
3 likes:
1. It's not so hard to get a job and I can make a living with this job.
2. If I dedicate to my career, looks like I will have a good career development.
3. It's nice to meet different clients in work location, this raises my business acumen, this also help my life, for example, manage my money. Also, being an accountant need a person keep learning and it will never stop. You will obtain skills like research, quick learning and etc, these skills help me have a good habit in developing my career.
3 dislikes:
1. Repetitive work - this is something everybody mentioned and that's true for sure. For example, I performed testing over financial statement items, there are huge similar items and I am taking a look at very similar supports, which takes time and boring.
2. Working long hours - Not sure if this is the same situation in industry accountant, but in public accounting firm, during busy season, we need to work 60 - 80 hours a week.
3. The communication - the communication skills is important. We need to collaborate with our clients, managers, and so on. Also we need to take care of some admin stuff. Sometimes so many things come up at the same time and you need to tackle one by one
Jue Lin
Tax Consulting
4
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Jue’s Answer
Hi Dillon,
I got my CPA about 8 years ago and currently work in an international tax consulting group.
Likes:
(1) Upward mobility and career growth
(2) Opportunity to continuously learn and exposure to many areas
(3) Close relationship to clients and understanding of their business
Dislikes:
(1) Hours can vary heavily by project
(2) Demanding deadlines and clients
(3) Can be tough juggling multiple projects and clients
I got my CPA about 8 years ago and currently work in an international tax consulting group.
Likes:
(1) Upward mobility and career growth
(2) Opportunity to continuously learn and exposure to many areas
(3) Close relationship to clients and understanding of their business
Dislikes:
(1) Hours can vary heavily by project
(2) Demanding deadlines and clients
(3) Can be tough juggling multiple projects and clients
David Leung
Consulting
19
Answers
Lewisville, Texas
Updated
David’s Answer
Hi Dillon,
I am a CPA and have gotten the certification for over 10 years, however I am not an "Accountant" I am a consultant specializing in data analytics. Here is my perspective based on my knowledge.
Likes:
1. Stable career
2. A lot of free time during off season
3. A lot of opportunity to branch out to do other things
Dislike:
1. Busy season can be stressful and tiring
2. Getting the CPA license could be difficult
3. Travel to client site
I am a CPA and have gotten the certification for over 10 years, however I am not an "Accountant" I am a consultant specializing in data analytics. Here is my perspective based on my knowledge.
Likes:
1. Stable career
2. A lot of free time during off season
3. A lot of opportunity to branch out to do other things
Dislike:
1. Busy season can be stressful and tiring
2. Getting the CPA license could be difficult
3. Travel to client site
Megan Nerad, CPA
Consulting Manager at PwC
43
Answers
St. Louis, MO
Updated
Megan’s Answer
Hi! I've had my CPA for over 5 years and currently work in public accounting as a SOX controls consulting manager.
Likes:
1. Job security
2. Hidden flexibility since I can leave in the middle of the day for a personal errand and make up my hours later on in the day/week
3. Exposure to a lot of areas of a business and multiple different clients (i.e. I have a ton of contractor badges for my different badges and get to poke around)
Dislike:
1. Being thrown into a project right at the end and having to clean things up
2. Not feeling like I have the time to watch CPE and/or trainings that I am interested in for my personal and professional growth
3. Transitioning onto a project and finding that there was poor record management or historical notes
Likes:
1. Job security
2. Hidden flexibility since I can leave in the middle of the day for a personal errand and make up my hours later on in the day/week
3. Exposure to a lot of areas of a business and multiple different clients (i.e. I have a ton of contractor badges for my different badges and get to poke around)
Dislike:
1. Being thrown into a project right at the end and having to clean things up
2. Not feeling like I have the time to watch CPE and/or trainings that I am interested in for my personal and professional growth
3. Transitioning onto a project and finding that there was poor record management or historical notes
Marcos Quiroz, CPA
Tax Consultant
22
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Marcos’s Answer
Hello Dillon,
Hope all is well. Please see items listed below for things that I like and dislike:
Like
1. I really like that there is always opportunity for you to move up in your career. Public accounting especially pushes you to limits you never knew were possible. Since accountants are always in demand, you will always have job security and have the opportunity to find a job in many different branches of accounting.
2. I really like to have a schedule. Having a schedule allows me to plan my week and really coordinate family time, gym time, etc.
3. I really like to talk to clients and help them with there data issues. For example, I work in public accounting and specialize in R&D tax credits for tax payers. We work with them to apply the R&D tax credit criteria in order for the client to claim tax credit to reduce their tax liability.
Dislike
1. One of the things I dislike is that you will sometimes feel like you don't know enough. There are some many different industries and while as an accountant you need to understand each at a high level, it is sometimes tough when you try to be a perfectionist and fully understand what the client does. For example, the client might provide you with messy data and it just overcomplicates your job, resulting in more effort in working through the data rather than understanding general aspects of the business, etc. While I still try to have a balance, it is tough when you are an associate/senior associate since you are more in the weeds.
2. There are many times when you will be a bit busier than normal and it is tough to balance your personal life with work. For example, April 15th is a busy time of year for certain individuals. While not everyone is busy during this time, the same concept applies for other areas of accounting.
3. I dislike accounting when I can't reconcile something or have a difficult time doing my work because I can't tie, etc. This is something that everyone goes through and it is just a matter of being patience and resolving that issue.
I truly wish you the best in your future career! Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns. Thanks!
Hope all is well. Please see items listed below for things that I like and dislike:
Like
1. I really like that there is always opportunity for you to move up in your career. Public accounting especially pushes you to limits you never knew were possible. Since accountants are always in demand, you will always have job security and have the opportunity to find a job in many different branches of accounting.
2. I really like to have a schedule. Having a schedule allows me to plan my week and really coordinate family time, gym time, etc.
3. I really like to talk to clients and help them with there data issues. For example, I work in public accounting and specialize in R&D tax credits for tax payers. We work with them to apply the R&D tax credit criteria in order for the client to claim tax credit to reduce their tax liability.
Dislike
1. One of the things I dislike is that you will sometimes feel like you don't know enough. There are some many different industries and while as an accountant you need to understand each at a high level, it is sometimes tough when you try to be a perfectionist and fully understand what the client does. For example, the client might provide you with messy data and it just overcomplicates your job, resulting in more effort in working through the data rather than understanding general aspects of the business, etc. While I still try to have a balance, it is tough when you are an associate/senior associate since you are more in the weeds.
2. There are many times when you will be a bit busier than normal and it is tough to balance your personal life with work. For example, April 15th is a busy time of year for certain individuals. While not everyone is busy during this time, the same concept applies for other areas of accounting.
3. I dislike accounting when I can't reconcile something or have a difficult time doing my work because I can't tie, etc. This is something that everyone goes through and it is just a matter of being patience and resolving that issue.
I truly wish you the best in your future career! Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns. Thanks!
Damion Freeman
Tax Accountant
27
Answers
North Port, Florida
Updated
Damion’s Answer
What are the 3 things you like and dislike about accounting?
I like many things about being an accountant, the top three that I find to be relevant here are:
1. We are always in demand. And by this I mean the profession as a whole is mostly recession proof as long as you stay current with changes from tax laws and technology improvements.
2. There is ALWAYS something new to learn. Every year there are new tax law changes or rule changes as well as different sectors of accounting that may be related to your job.
3. Solid pay and opportunity to job growth. You can be an accountant in many shapes and forms. You can be a bookkeeper, a tax accountant, an auditor, work in acounts payable or recievables, you can be a consultant for technology. The list is almost endless.
As far as the dislike go there are a few but these to me seem important:
1. Possibility of job burn out. The brighter you burn, the greater the chance of burning out. Make sure you take the time for self-care and enjoy life.
2. Highly demanding deadlines. The deadlines I deal with regularly are not flexible and if we do not timely file our various returns, then we not only put ourselves up for being on the hook for late filing penalties but have the chance of losing clients if word gets out.
3. Grabbing the proverbial chew toy. Sure it is fun to play tug of war with your pet, but it is not as fun when dealing with clients and trying to get everything needed to help them when their systems are not organized or you may be handed off from client team member to client team member and not all of them are sure what to provide.
I love being an accountant and that helps with the bad days and when the days are good it is so much better. It is a lot of hard work but it pays off, best of luck in your career!
I like many things about being an accountant, the top three that I find to be relevant here are:
1. We are always in demand. And by this I mean the profession as a whole is mostly recession proof as long as you stay current with changes from tax laws and technology improvements.
2. There is ALWAYS something new to learn. Every year there are new tax law changes or rule changes as well as different sectors of accounting that may be related to your job.
3. Solid pay and opportunity to job growth. You can be an accountant in many shapes and forms. You can be a bookkeeper, a tax accountant, an auditor, work in acounts payable or recievables, you can be a consultant for technology. The list is almost endless.
As far as the dislike go there are a few but these to me seem important:
1. Possibility of job burn out. The brighter you burn, the greater the chance of burning out. Make sure you take the time for self-care and enjoy life.
2. Highly demanding deadlines. The deadlines I deal with regularly are not flexible and if we do not timely file our various returns, then we not only put ourselves up for being on the hook for late filing penalties but have the chance of losing clients if word gets out.
3. Grabbing the proverbial chew toy. Sure it is fun to play tug of war with your pet, but it is not as fun when dealing with clients and trying to get everything needed to help them when their systems are not organized or you may be handed off from client team member to client team member and not all of them are sure what to provide.
I love being an accountant and that helps with the bad days and when the days are good it is so much better. It is a lot of hard work but it pays off, best of luck in your career!
Charlie Page, CPA, CA
Accountant, Audit
5
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
Charlie’s Answer
Likes:
- Being able to help drive growth in the business can provide a lot of personal satisfaction
- It can provide great create opportunities to provide a comfortable life
- There is always more to learn (standards change) and the more experience you gain the more career progression you can achieve.
Dislikes:
- If you start a career at some firms the hours can be rough. But you learn good lessons on how to work hard and work with a team under tough situations.
- Month-end close happens at the end/beginning of each month which can make taking time off harder.
- Problems to solve can be tough, but that can be exciting to some on solving.
- Being able to help drive growth in the business can provide a lot of personal satisfaction
- It can provide great create opportunities to provide a comfortable life
- There is always more to learn (standards change) and the more experience you gain the more career progression you can achieve.
Dislikes:
- If you start a career at some firms the hours can be rough. But you learn good lessons on how to work hard and work with a team under tough situations.
- Month-end close happens at the end/beginning of each month which can make taking time off harder.
- Problems to solve can be tough, but that can be exciting to some on solving.
Harry Clapeck
Manufacturing
26
Answers
Scottsdale, Arizona
Updated
Harry’s Answer
Hi Dillon. You are asking a question that opens up a lot of answer. My career has been in Accounting and it has been a very rewarding one, but I have never been a CPA. My whole career has been in manufacturing and I loved it.
As to specifically answering your questions, here they are:
Likes:
Get to understand the whole manufacturing process along with interacting with other disciplines
Different departments seek me out for financial answers
Enjoy being part of a big picture team
Dislikes:
Can put in long hours (especially at the end of a close period)
Can be frustrating when things don't balance
Can be a challenge finding missing pieces
Hope this gives you some insight Dillon. Let me know if I can be of further information.
As to specifically answering your questions, here they are:
Likes:
Get to understand the whole manufacturing process along with interacting with other disciplines
Different departments seek me out for financial answers
Enjoy being part of a big picture team
Dislikes:
Can put in long hours (especially at the end of a close period)
Can be frustrating when things don't balance
Can be a challenge finding missing pieces
Hope this gives you some insight Dillon. Let me know if I can be of further information.
Nathan Levine
Senior Tax Associate
2
Answers
Covina, California
Updated
Nathan’s Answer
Greetings, I have worked in Tax for the past 5 years. I am a Senior Associate that specializes in real estate.
Likes:
1. I am always learning.
2. For my specific role, it almost feels like it was tailored to work remotely.
3. The work really helps you understand business.
Dislikes
1. During busy season the hours can be rough.
2. There is always new tax laws. Applying that to tax returns can be difficult.
3. There is a lot of turnover.
Likes:
1. I am always learning.
2. For my specific role, it almost feels like it was tailored to work remotely.
3. The work really helps you understand business.
Dislikes
1. During busy season the hours can be rough.
2. There is always new tax laws. Applying that to tax returns can be difficult.
3. There is a lot of turnover.