Advantages and Disadvantages of Accounting as a Profession



Posted: Tuesday, November 30, 2010

by Torri Myler
Netrostar

The decision to pursue a career in some kind of profession should be well-researched and not based on emotions. This does not mean our interests or preferences have no place in this important choice, but they have to be offset against some sort of analysis that looks into such down-to-earth aspects of adult life as salary, stability or professional development. One trade that seems not to get enough appreciation in this kind of evaluation, as it is almost completely overriden by stereotypes and hackneyed images is accounting. Here is the breakdown of its advantages and disadvantages that hopes to look beyond these dominant myths.

On the plus side, there is outstanding stability of income, employment and business it practically guarantees. It might not look this way at first glance, considering plenty of competition and technological advancement, but since accounting is part of the regulatory framework that countries and organizations impose on just about their entire population, it is a sprawling, generous market in terms of money to be made and jobs to land. From ordinary individuals to small businesses to large corporations and institutions, there is always going to be demand for qualified accountants who are capable of not only bookkeeping, but also induing financial efficiencies.

Another upside is that especially for experienced and publicly certified accounting specialists financial opportunities are very rewarding. If they provide a real value for money for their employees, they can easily enter the six-digit territory, something that many self-employed accountants routinely manage to do as well. Of course, it is closely correlated with the ability to market your services and other factors, but those who make a name for themselves in this area can sleep soundly in the knowledge that their skills are going to be handsomely appreciated.

What is also appealing in accounting jobs is that in today's complex regulatory environment, the role of financial officers rises as they have the right kind of competences to assist companies and individuals in their choices. The legal framework keeps evolving, which also means that this is a lifelong learning type of occupation, a positive feature for most active people. This dynamic nature of the job is completed by the fact that technology is entering accounting to a growing degree, with software bookkeeping packages or gadgets that can make work more fun, for example a pen tablet.

Accounting is not free from drawbacks. It might be classified as a quiet job, where you have to spend most of your time dealing with paperwork and regulations. Plenty of what you do is what they call bean-counting, a painstaking process of making sure that all records are duly accounted for. Unless you are a CPA Miami or Chicago, where you are more likely to deal with more complex, more diverse jobs due to the size of these and similar cities, you might face some routine and repetition in your daily practice. Finally, since a lot of this job is done at a computer, you are very likely to suffer from conditions commonly associated with a sedentary lifestyle.

I am an accountant working for a CPA Miami firm and a passionate writer. I write articles about computers and accessories like mini mouse or pen tablet.
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