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How does it feel being an accountant?

How does it feel every day being an accountant doesn't matter which field like audits or such just how does it feel being an accountant.

business accounting accountant financial-accounting cpa
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Alessia’s Answer

The feelings and emotions associated with being an accountant are highly subjective and largely dependent on an individual's personality traits and personal preferences. For instance, succeeding as an accountant requires considerable precision, organization, and attention to detail, as the role often involves complex and repetitive tasks.

As an accountant, you will bear the significant responsibility of ensuring that financial records are accurate, up-to-date, and follow established rules and regulations. This encompasses various crucial and time-sensitive tasks, such as registering received invoices in a timely manner and ensuring that payments are made and taxes are paid when due. Neglecting these essential duties can have severe repercussions, as they are integral to the overall financial management of a business.

In addition to possessing the necessary skill set and professional knowledge, you need to have the right mindset to thrive as an accountant. If you are a highly structured individual who thrives in a predictable environment and has a keen eye for detail, you are likely to find the role fulfilling and rewarding. In this capacity, you will be able to take pride in your contributions to the efficient and effective operation of a company's finance department.

However, the emotional experience of being an accountant can vary significantly from one person to another. Depending on your personal attributes and preferences, you may find the job engrossing and satisfying, or you may discover that it leaves you feeling unfulfilled or overwhelmed. Therefore, before embarking on a career in accounting, it is vital to reflect on your interests, strengths, and weaknesses in order to determine whether the job truly aligns with your professional aspirations and personal fulfillment.

In conclusion, being an accountant can evoke a wide range of emotions depending on an individual's personality and attitudes towards the role. Recognizing and acknowledging these feelings can be instrumental in determining if a career in accounting is the right fit for you. Good luck in your journey to discover the most suitable career path for yourself. Best regards, Alessia.
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Sarah’s Answer

It's incredible to be an expert in a field that values ethics. As an auditor for employee benefit plans, my work isn't focused on a company's profits, but on helping regular people who participate in 401k or 403b plans ensure their retirement savings are protected. My daily interactions with my teams and clients create diverse and engaging routines. The industry may be vast, but it's never dull or monotonous (unlike what I think working in Tax might be like). I'm constantly learning about new businesses and improving my knowledge of my own 401k retirement plan. Once you discover your specialty within accounting, every day feels like an opportunity to expand your skills.
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Ryan’s Answer

Hey Tristan! It's fantastic to know that you're considering a career in accounting as it offers a plethora of exciting opportunities beyond just bookkeeping and tax reporting. The CPA exam itself is evolving, introducing various discipline "tracks" to accommodate the 3 core pillars of the accounting profession:

1. Business analysis and reporting
2. Information systems and controls
3. Tax compliance and planning

With such a diverse range of job roles within these pillars (like forensic accounting, financial planning, and international tax), you'll have the chance to explore areas that cater to your specific interests and goals. I can personally attest to the fact that it's possible to find fulfilling roles within the accounting.

Many of my colleagues have successfully built versatile and dynamic skillsets by taking advantage of the myriad opportunities available in the profession. They truly enjoy their roles and derive immense satisfaction from their jobs. They love solving complex problems, and as you advance in the field, the day-to-day tasks become more engaging, requiring higher levels of problem-solving and decision-making.

One of the fascinating aspects of accounting is unraveling the stories hidden behind numbers. Yes, the career might have its challenges, like "busy seasons" where you may need to handle repetitive tasks, but overcoming these challenges is something most accountants enjoy.

In a nutshell, accounting professionals often attain financial security and personal satisfaction in their chosen career paths. I'd highly recommend checking out the NASBA website for more information on the CPA exam or even browsing through the "Big 4" accounting firms' websites to gain insights into the vast array of opportunities within accounting. Good luck on your journey!
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Jelana’s Answer

I love love love accounting - the balance and interconnectedness of it all. But, I'll be honest...I didn't like not being able to take off the first couple of weeks of the month. That didn't deter me too much as I started my own accounting business last year. My "regular" job isn't even in accounting anymore so that I have that flexibility.
Day to day, it has its routine moments. I love that because I know what I'm doing. It's never really routine if you allow yourself to get into the details and really understand the business. THAT'S WHERE THE VALUE LIES.
Then learn to remove yourself from the details and think like a CEO, CFO, etc. Learn to tell the story of the business and find ways affect change. Accounting is awesome because you'll always know how the business is doing.
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Ben’s Answer

Hey Tristan -

There have been a lot of great responses thus far! In my one-year of experience, there have definitely been good weeks and bad weeks (just like any job). My favorite part is working collaboratively on a team. I was involved in many team sports growing up and am a very competitive person. I like to think the audit teams that I work on make up different elements of a team. We have to work together, understand each other's strengths and weaknesses, and count on one another to get things done. It is very rewarding to be involved on a good team and feel like you have played a pivotal role in the audit.
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Mo’s Answer

Drawing from my own experiences, I must say that accounting is truly captivating and fulfilling. Since we work closely with clients, there's a sense of gratification in resolving their issues and reaching shared objectives. The challenges we tackle are usually intricate, providing ample mental stimulation. Moreover, the vast scope of knowledge in accounting ensures endless opportunities for growth and development. If you're someone who enjoys learning, possesses critical thinking skills, and pays attention to detail, then this field is an excellent choice for you.
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Hannah’s Answer

Hi Tristan,
I'm not an accountant, but I do work with my business' finances, quickbooks and startups that need financial mentorship. I took accounting in high school, which is how I first learned that I enjoyed the subject. Mostly- I liked that things balanced and numbers were pure data that weren't opinions or ideas. Something was comforting to be about that. Accounting is an important aspect of any business-- and I'd suggest you maybe consider not just being an accountant inside of an accounting firm-- but also consider the need of accounting and finance professionals inside of every business in the world!! Look at taking a free quickbooks course at York Tech, and then you can also take some business classes in accounting and finance. There is great money and purpose in these jobs!!!
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Garrett’s Answer

I appreciate your question. Though I'm not an accountant, I have an accounting degree. Every profession has its challenges and rewards. To understand better, I suggest watching "day in the life" YouTube videos for each career option you're considering. In accounting, you can choose from various roles, such as tax professional, external/internal auditor, financial advisor, forensic accountant, bookkeeper, and IT auditor.
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Aisha’s Answer

A career in accounting can certainly be a rewarding and fulfilling journey, despite certain stressful periods that may arise, particularly during tax season. The good news is that, as detail-oriented and analytical thinkers, accountants are well-equipped to manage these challenges by implementing effective time management strategies. Embrace the opportunity to harness your strong skillset and rise to the occasion, making the most out of your dynamic accounting career!
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josh’s Answer

People love and hate their jobs for many reasons. It will all depend on your role, company, personality, and outlook on life. Being a CPA can make you an accountant but you might not be an accountant in your job role. You could be consultant, auditor, etc. I would say people do it more for the money and security in public accounting than being passionate about their job. Personally not a huge fan of auditing. Not to say people don't like what I do, just saying I went this role but really have a passion in other areas.
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Zachary’s Answer

There are a range of roles that accountants can do from taxes, audit, financial accounting, etc. that all have different experiences associated with them. For me, the nice thing about being an accountant is that you have the opportunity to solve complex problems every day to help a business succeed. For instance, in my role, there isn't much of a routine. I work on complex technical accounting transactions that allow me to really "flex" my brain to try to come up with the best solution for the company. The different types of transactions or "problems" change from day to day. Though accounting in school is very black and white with a "clean" answer, in the "real world" there are usually lots of acceptable answers depending on the section of the guidance that you are looking at. In that regard, it is very rewarding to be able to problem solve and make a difference in an organization.

I give this example because many times "accounting" is associated with a secondary function of an organization (i.e., accountants just account for what has already happened in the business); however, there are accounting roles that are integral to the front lines of how deals are structured that can be impactful to the financial statements of the organization.
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