Why Everything You Thought About Accounting Might Be Wrong

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think about accounting? Maybe it’s someone suited up, with neat hair, sitting in an office cubicle with a calculator and an Excel spreadsheet in front of them. At least, that’s what I used to picture. But now that I’ve learnt more about the accounting world, that picture has taken a swift 180. So, let’s get down to business and debunk some common myths about accounting. 

Myth: Accountants wear a suit and tie to work every day.

Fact: Accountants wear all different kinds of uniforms. For example, you could be working out on-site, on a factory floor, at a tech start-up, at an NGO (non-governmental organisation), or as an entrepreneur. There are some accountants who like to dress up now and again, but there are also accountants who strictly do businesses in a T-shirt with their full-sleeve tattoos on display. I mean, you could still wear a suit if you want to, but it’s defs not a requirement for a lot of accountants.

Myth: Accountants obsess over money all day.

Fact: Sure, managing phat stacks will be part of your job as an accountant.  But it's also about helping businesses achieve their goals – which means an accountant’s work will change from client to client. One of your clients might need your help cutting costs and maxing profits for the business, while others might want help going carbon-neutral. Not only will you be counting cash, you'll also be finding ways for businesses to make better use of their resources, boost customer satisfaction, or even track their carbon emissions. So, basically, as an accountant, you’d have one job that handles a whole range of roles and responsibilities. It's a perfect career if you’re looking for a job full of variety and purpose.

Myth: Accounting isn't a creative job

Fact: Accountants don’t only work with numbers and data; they also get to flex their creative muscles. Creativity isn’t just about if you can paint a pretty picture or write a song; it’s about taking what’s in front of you and using it to produce something unique and awesome. As an accountant you might brainstorm new business models, figure out how to cut costs without sacrificing quality or look for new ways to grow a business – your creativity will help to think outside the box and find fresh solutions.

Myth: Accountants don’t have a good work-life balance

Fact: Gone are the days of being tucked away in a cubicle from 9-5, Monday to Friday. Like many other office jobs, if you’re working for an accounting firm, you could get awesome perks like remote work, working from home, flexible hours, and even perks like subsidised gym memberships or wellbeing programs. Keeping people happy isn’t just a nice thing to do – it’s good for business – and who knows what’s good for business more than accountants? 

Myth: Accounting locks you into one industry for your entire career

Fact: If anything, studying accounting opens more doors than almost any other degree. Every business needs finance experts, and anyone could benefit from someone with killer business skills. You could work in any industry under the sun. What makes accounting such a cool job is that you can take the analytical, problem solving and communication skills from one industry to another. It’s a great blend of getting new challenges and experiences with different industries while having the skills and smarts to back you up wherever your career takes you.

Plus, you could dive into specialising in different areas, work for the government or non-profits, or even explore opportunities abroad! Many big accounting firms have offices all over the world, so there’s always a pathway to switch things up.

Myth: Accounting is boring

Fact: While every job has its ups and downs, a major perk of working in accounting is that it’s a great way to work for industries or causes that you’re passionate about, adding plenty of purpose to your job. Say you’re really into music and would love to work in the industry. While record deals can be pretty few and far between, there are tons of accountants working in entertainment. After all, your favourite artists count on the businesses they work with to succeed. As an accountant working in the music industry, you could do things like look at sales and streaming data to discover new trending artists, plan album launches or figure out how much it would cost to book a world tour.

Who knows? You might even be able to snag some free backstage passes now and again!

This isn’t just about the entertainment industry either. True crime fans could enjoy doing forensic accounting, film buffs can try their hands at validating votes for the Oscars, or eco-warriors can help track poachers all over the world. 

So, maybe not everything you thought about accounting was off, but there are definitely a few myths floating around. If you're curious to explore where accounting could take you, check out our Business Class Academy!