5 Great Reasons to Choose a Career in Accounting

Accountants make up the backbone of every business and make a great career choice in terms of security and pay. They are vital to any organization, from making sure the money is coming in to keeping the doors open and lights on. No matter what the future holds, you will always be to find a career in accounting. But with the advancements in technology, has that changed? What can you hope for from accounting jobs in the future?

Looking for steady employment with great opportunities? Look no further than accounting. Read on as we show you reasons why a career in accounting is one of the best options today, especially for women.

1. Number of Job Opportunities

Some people worry that accounting is becoming obsolete with all technological advancements. That’s just not true! While the roles are shifting and becoming more analytical rather than data-centric, technology is creating a greater variety of exciting jobs in the accounting industry.

Accounting isn’t going anywhere. Even with advancements in artificial intelligence and automation, businesses need accountants to interpret complex tax laws and ever-changing regulations. Plus, accountants help manage and decode financial information to help organisations make informed business decisions.

2. Rewarding and Exciting Work

There’s a common misconception that accounting is just entering numbers into a spreadsheet and hovering over calculator tape day after day.

Truthfully, accountants are helping their organisations in fascinating ways. Using financial data, you’ll interpret the numbers and help the business:

• Move into new markets
• Start or end business ventures
• Launch new products
• Avoid unprofitable business moves
• Find creative ways to reduce waste and unnecessary spending

The work you do as an accountant helps shape and grow the business for the future. Your organisation will rely on your expertise to make tough decisions on how to build the business and support future growth.

3. Variety of Roles and Industries

Accounting is a flexible career choice. Every organisation needs accounting. Some businesses are large enough to have in-house accounting teams. Others rely on accounting firms to handle their finances. You’ll have the opportunity to work directly for companies you’re passionate about. Perhaps you’ll work as an accountant for a brand that you love. Or, maybe you are interested in sports and choose to work behind the scenes to keep a sports team’s finances in order.

If you work for an accounting firm, you can choose to have a variety of clients, or you can focus on a particular sector. Accounting firms can choose specialities and focus on certain types of clients, like local schools or government agencies. Plus, you’ll have a variety of roles to choose from in accounting. Lateral career moves are becoming more popular, and it’s essential to gain a variety of skills while working towards your dream job. You can experience a lot of different types of roles in accounting, such as:

• Cost accounting
• Internal auditing
• Forensic accounting
• Financial reporting
• Tax accounting

4. Great Salary for Accountants

The average annual salary for an accountant in the UK was £51,200 in 2022. To begin with, most roles require advanced degrees and certifications. Recognizing this, companies understand that such qualifications naturally demand higher salaries, and consequently, they’re willing to deliver them.

Furthermore, pursuing additional training and certification is an excellent strategy if you’re aiming to boost your pay. Not only will you enhance your skills to excel in your current role, but also, you’ll qualify for more advanced positions. As a result, you’ll distinguish yourself and stand out among other candidates.

5. Growth Opportunities

There are plenty of opportunities to advance within the accounting industry. Lateral moves are becoming more popular, but an accounting career can prepare you for a role as an executive, too. After gaining a few years of experience in various roles, you can look for management opportunities. CEO and CFO roles, along with other corporate executives, can benefit from a background of accounting knowledge.

Plus, you’ll be working closely with people at other businesses in your role as an accountant. Having a diverse network can help you navigate toward your dream job. Even if you decide to switch career paths after several years, accounting skills are fantastic in many other business roles. Explore diverse educational pathways to enhance your career prospects. Opting for an online Applied Science degree can be a vital stepping stone within fields like accounting, as it offers the flexibility to continue working while gaining targeted skills. Once equipped with such credentials, pairing them with additional certifications boosts your competitive edge even further.

What’s the Next Step?

With plenty of reasons to become an accountant, you’re ready to start your career path! The first step is to complete your accounting degree. Indeed, some accounting jobs don’t need a degree, but having a degree will open up many more opportunities for you.

Once you’ve completed your degree, you can open up even more doors by earning additional certifications. Earning your ACCA or CIMA shows your commitment to the accounting industry and sets you apart from other candidates. Some of the more advanced accounting jobs prefer or require additional certification. Getting the certificate before it’s needed saves you time later. Plus, having a certificate will improve the skills you use in your daily role and earn you a higher salary.

Final Thoughts

To start off, the accounting field is brimming with great opportunities just waiting to be seized. Given this, you can venture into various industries and roles, ensuring that your career is both diverse and meaningful.

Moreover, with the allure of competitive pay, coupled with ample opportunities for growth and the pivotal role of aiding businesses to thrive into the next decade and beyond, it becomes evident that accounting stands out as a commendable career path. To set the wheels in motion, you might consider beginning with obtaining your degree. Then, start earning additional certifications, like ACCA and CIMA, to stand out among your peers.