If you are deciding whether or not to enroll in an online accounting degree program, you probably have a lot of questions. One of the most common questions that prospective students have is how to know if accounting is right for them. At Brescia University Online, we want you to feel confident in your decision to go back to school. To help you make your decision, we’ve outlined some of the characteristics of successful accountants, as well as some encouraging data about the accounting field in general.
Accountants often work in high-stress environments and need to get all the details exactly right. Overall, keeping a calm, cool and collected demeanor is important in an accountant’s day-to-day job. Not getting overwhelmed by responsibilities is first and foremost when it comes to personality traits that will serve you well in the accounting world. Let’s get a little more detailed, though, and discuss some more characteristics that make for successful accountants.
Organized and responsible
Accounting professionals are usually very organized and comfortable working in a highly structured environment. Your daily work responsibilities may be repetitive, so you have to be prepared for that. Accountants also deal with strict regulations and must obey the letter of the law. Following the rules must be a priority for you. You’ll also need strong time management skills to help you meet deadlines and complete projects. Knowing how to prioritize will definitely help you as well.
Creative
This characteristic may not be the first that comes to mind when you think about professionals in the accounting field, but good accountants have to be creative as well as organized. You’ll need to come up with new ideas and strategies dealing with financial difficulties and budget restraints, and this requires an inquisitive mind that can come up with innovative ways to solve financial problems.
Ethical
All good accountants are honest and have a strong sense of personal integrity. This means that you’ll know to keep private information confidential while making sure that your clients obey the law. Knowing right from wrong will keep both you and your clients far away from trouble.
Detail oriented
Because accountants routinely deal with the ins and outs of their clients’ personal or business finances, paying close attention to detail is key. You’ll need to keep notes about your progress and any meetings you have in order to keep your clients and employers well informed. Because small errors can have large-scale consequences in the financial world, being detail oriented is an asset to every accounting professional.
Business-minded
If you are interested in the workings of the business world, chances are accounting is right for you. You’ll need to understand business models in order to decide what financial moves to make, and an interest in business is valuable to all accountants in this respect
If your questions about whether an accounting degree is right for you relate more to professional concerns than personal ones, we have good news: Accountants have always enjoyed relatively high job security and employability because of the important role they play in businesses and firms. Here are some more reasons why accounting is a great career choice:
Attainable education
Most accountants have a bachelor’s degree in accounting, which generally requires four years of education but can also be earned in less time. You’ll have to pass the CPA exam for licensure but generally, accounting requires no advanced education. This means that you can get a job quickly and graduate with far less debt than individuals in fields that require higher-level degrees.
Comfortable starting salary
As an entry-level accountant, it is likely that you will earn roughly $40,000 per year. Because of the low educational requirements, this is a great starting salary. Even better, the median salary for accountants after their first job is about $60,000 annually. This means your earning potential increases with the amount of time you spend in the accounting field.
Job security
Accountants are always in high demand because every business needs some form of accounting services. This means that your skills and education will continue to be valuable long after you complete your accounting degree.
Room for advancement
As an accountant takes on more responsibility and works for bigger clients, promotions are likely. Especially if you start out in an entry level position, there will be opportunities for advancement in your career. Of course, your salary will increase with promotions as well.
Earning your accounting degree from Brescia is a great way to get started in your accounting career. Our Bachelor of Science in Accounting is designed to prepare you with the knowledge, skills and abilities for leadership roles in today’s business world. You’ll develop a broad educational base as well as specialized accounting experience.