7 answers
Marcelo
Student
2
Questions
Asked
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What type of high school classes help you become an accountant?
I'm a 16 year old student trying to find classes to help me in the future.
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7 answers
Grace Leonard
Accountant
15
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Grace’s Answer
Hi Marcelo! As far as subject matter goes, having a good foundation in math is very helpful for accounting. While most accounting math is very simple (plain old addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division), you will do A LOT of math so you'll want to be comfortable with it. If there is not a standard class incorporated into your high school's curriculum that teaches you how to use Microsoft Excel, take an elective that does. Accountants at all levels use Excel every single day and you will use it in college. Obviously if your school offers any business or accounting specific courses those will provide great exposure to what you will study in college. I did not take any accounting or business electives at my high school and I didn't feel that I was at a disadvantage, but if you have the opportunity to, that's great. Also, don't disregard your English classes as you will have to write essays in college, even in a math dominated field of study like Accounting. Economics is a required course in my state, but if it is not in yours, economics is a great course to take. Those concepts are foundational to the study of business and will definitely be a part of your business education in college. No matter what classes you take, KEEP YOUR GRADES UP! Business programs are often competitive for admission, especially at top ranked programs. Best of luck!
Danielle Grahek
Team Leader
13
Answers
Macomb, Michigan
Updated
Danielle’s Answer
To prepare for a career in accounting, in high school should consider taking the following types of classes:
Math: Courses like algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus are fundamental to accounting and help develop problem-solving skills.
Business and Economics: Classes such as economics, business management, personal finance, and entrepreneurship provide a basic understanding of business operations and financial management.
Accounting: If available, take any introductory accounting classes to learn about financial statements, journal entries, and basic accounting procedures.
Computer Science and Technology: As accounting increasingly relies on technology, courses in computer science and information technology are beneficial. Skills in spreadsheets, databases, and accounting software are valuable.
English and Communication: Accountants need strong communication skills to explain financial information. Classes in English composition, literature, speech, or debate can improve these skills.
These classes will help build a strong foundation for your future studies and career in accounting.
Math: Courses like algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus are fundamental to accounting and help develop problem-solving skills.
Business and Economics: Classes such as economics, business management, personal finance, and entrepreneurship provide a basic understanding of business operations and financial management.
Accounting: If available, take any introductory accounting classes to learn about financial statements, journal entries, and basic accounting procedures.
Computer Science and Technology: As accounting increasingly relies on technology, courses in computer science and information technology are beneficial. Skills in spreadsheets, databases, and accounting software are valuable.
English and Communication: Accountants need strong communication skills to explain financial information. Classes in English composition, literature, speech, or debate can improve these skills.
These classes will help build a strong foundation for your future studies and career in accounting.
I appreciate you taking the time to answer this.
Gian Paul
ian villebrun
Correctional specialist
115
Answers
Mountain Iron, Minnesota
Updated
ian’s Answer
High School Subjects To Become An Accountant
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING
ECONOMICS
MATHEMATICS
ENGLISH
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING
ECONOMICS
MATHEMATICS
ENGLISH
Jasmine Morris, EA
Tax Manager in Public Accounting
2
Answers
Bloomfield, New Jersey
Updated
Jasmine’s Answer
Hi Marcelo!
I had an interest in accounting when I was in high school as well. I think having a good foundation in math helps as others have stated before, but really focusing on your English classes because writing and communication is a large part of how we interact with and deliver information to our clients. If your school offers a computer class, I would also focus on building your skill set with excel there. We utilize excel sheets very often in the work we do and it actually saves time from doing manual math because the system will do it for you! If your school offers a Future Business Leaders of America club, I think that's also a great start so you can start to connect with people or "networking" as we refer to it in the working world so you have an immediate resource to pull from that is where you want to be. The firm I work at, PwC, also provides a networking opportunities to get you connected with accounting professionals to learn more. I provided a high level summary/link below. I hope you find the information helpful!
Mentoring
Access Your Potential's site provides opportunities for group/semester or one-time mentoring with PwC professionals focused on fostering connection, community, accountability and learning as you work toward your career goals.
To learn more: http://accessyourpotential.pwc.com/.
I had an interest in accounting when I was in high school as well. I think having a good foundation in math helps as others have stated before, but really focusing on your English classes because writing and communication is a large part of how we interact with and deliver information to our clients. If your school offers a computer class, I would also focus on building your skill set with excel there. We utilize excel sheets very often in the work we do and it actually saves time from doing manual math because the system will do it for you! If your school offers a Future Business Leaders of America club, I think that's also a great start so you can start to connect with people or "networking" as we refer to it in the working world so you have an immediate resource to pull from that is where you want to be. The firm I work at, PwC, also provides a networking opportunities to get you connected with accounting professionals to learn more. I provided a high level summary/link below. I hope you find the information helpful!
Mentoring
Access Your Potential's site provides opportunities for group/semester or one-time mentoring with PwC professionals focused on fostering connection, community, accountability and learning as you work toward your career goals.
To learn more: http://accessyourpotential.pwc.com/.
Giacomo Paini
Dental hygienist
37
Answers
Vicenza, Veneto, Italy
Updated
Giacomo’s Answer
Not only economics, math, statistic
Add new discipline of computer science
Data analysis (optimum for an accountant)
Artificial intelligence
Programming
Try to offer something more
Add new discipline of computer science
Data analysis (optimum for an accountant)
Artificial intelligence
Programming
Try to offer something more
Adam Lin, CPA
Tax Analyst
2
Answers
San Mateo, California
Updated
Adam’s Answer
Hi Marcelo,
While you would be receiving a lot of more in depth accounting classes in college, there are a lot of good options in High School to prepare you for the accounting world. I would suggest the most important course being any class that teaches Excel skills and written/spoken language skills. The whole accounting system is based in Excel and learning even the most fundamental skills (control + c, control + v, etc. ) can be essential to your future career.
Some indirect courses that may help are computer programming, public speaking/speech classes, and AP statistics.
1. Computer programming can offer you problem solving skills and can change your mindset to tackle future problems.
2. In the future workplace (especially in public accounting), there will be a lot of client facing opportunities. Public speaking is a great skill to have both in and out of your career.
3. I personally enjoyed statistics in high school. Although the course is a little different than what you would experience as a career, I believe the indirect material learned from the class can be beneficial.
While you would be receiving a lot of more in depth accounting classes in college, there are a lot of good options in High School to prepare you for the accounting world. I would suggest the most important course being any class that teaches Excel skills and written/spoken language skills. The whole accounting system is based in Excel and learning even the most fundamental skills (control + c, control + v, etc. ) can be essential to your future career.
Some indirect courses that may help are computer programming, public speaking/speech classes, and AP statistics.
1. Computer programming can offer you problem solving skills and can change your mindset to tackle future problems.
2. In the future workplace (especially in public accounting), there will be a lot of client facing opportunities. Public speaking is a great skill to have both in and out of your career.
3. I personally enjoyed statistics in high school. Although the course is a little different than what you would experience as a career, I believe the indirect material learned from the class can be beneficial.
Darah Ballard
External Auditor
4
Answers
St. Louis, MO
Updated
Darah’s Answer
Hello Marcelo,
The classes that really paved the way for my career as an accountant during my high school years were math and finance, which I truly enjoyed. I was not a fan of history nor science.
If you have a guidance counselor at your high school, it would be a great idea to let them know about your interest in accounting. They can guide you towards the right classes that align with your career goals. Moreover, you might also want to consider enrolling in Advanced Placement (AP) courses if they're available. These can earn you college credits and give you a head start in preparing for your future career.
The classes that really paved the way for my career as an accountant during my high school years were math and finance, which I truly enjoyed. I was not a fan of history nor science.
If you have a guidance counselor at your high school, it would be a great idea to let them know about your interest in accounting. They can guide you towards the right classes that align with your career goals. Moreover, you might also want to consider enrolling in Advanced Placement (AP) courses if they're available. These can earn you college credits and give you a head start in preparing for your future career.