What's the mentality of most accounting majors?

[kyrax12]

It seems they are detail oriented and stingy?

I just want to know the mentality to succeed as an accountant.

 

[Rakehellion]

Enjoy accounting.

 

[OverVolt]

My accounting II teacher said, if you can add subtract multiply and divide you can be an accountant. Sounds like a sweet career to me.

 

[lxskllr]

Sounds like a sweet career to me.

Being a shuffler of data sounds boring as hell. Tedium periodically interrupted by artificial crisis.

 

[CPA]

Stingy? lol
detail oriented? not

When I started college in 1988, I decided I wanted to get into programming/IT. It was an upcoming field with a lot of potential. But after a semester, and no actual computer classes, I had an epiphany - "do I want to spend the next 40 years of my life in front of a computer screen?" My answer was no. Mind you, accounting was still for the most part a paper-driven profession, slowly moving to computers.

At the same time, I changed universities. My new university was much more business-centric. I had taken a couple of accounting classes in high school and was good at it. I also knew that I could make a pretty decent wage in the field. It wasn't that I loved accounting or that it fit me. It came down to what was the best way to make coin, the presumption that I wouldn't be staring at a computer screen all day long (Oh, how wrong I was in that belief), something I could do to help raise a family (I was in that mindset even in college) in a field I believe I believed I was decent at.

At 45, I'm more manager than accountant. I have to view things more "big picture" than in detail, and I prefer that, though I'd be remiss to fail to say periodically I do find some fun digging in the details of an account to solve a problem.

I don't believe I'm stingy at the least knowing my spending habits.

I also would say the stereotype of accountants is way off. Yes, there are plenty of smart guys. But very few who are "geeky", scrawny and I know only one who wears glasses. lol

I listen to heavy metal and watch/participate in sports, lift heavy four days a week and do major renovations to my house.

I know another who participates and is highly involved in sport fishing competitions, even used to be sponsored.

My CAO takes vacations in out of way places that would make you jealous, and pays for all of his adult kids and their wives to go with him.

I know another that decided to renovate and flip houses (he was recently on an episode of a show on HGTV).

And there's many more that I know that simply don't fit the mold of the stereotype.

But, that's okay, I kind of enjoy telling people I'm an accountant when I have my work boots on after attending to our pig in the backyard or when I'm buying material for my next home improvement project. It throws them off.

 

[CPA]

Being a shuffler of data sounds boring as hell. Tedium periodically interrupted by artificial crisis.

I won't lie, it can get that way. But, I would argue the crisis is not artificial. Particularly, in the increased regulated world we are in.

 

[pete6032]

I think most accountants do actual accounting work for a portion of their career but then eventually move up to a management position where they're doing less actual accounting and more cross-collaboration projects with other departments and managing accounting operations within their own department and such. Unless you have no drive, then you can remain as a data entry monkey for the next 40 years.

 

[OverVolt]

Stingy? lol
detail oriented? not

When I started college in 1988, I decided I wanted to get into programming/IT. It was an upcoming field with a lot of potential. But after a semester, and no actual computer classes, I had an epiphany - "do I want to spend the next 40 years of my life in front of a computer screen?" My answer was no. Mind you, accounting was still for the most part a paper-driven profession, slowly moving to computers.

At the same time, I changed universities. My new university was much more business-centric. I had taken a couple of accounting classes in high school and was good at it. I also knew that I could make a pretty decent wage in the field. It wasn't that I loved accounting or that it fit me. It came down to what was the best way to make coin, the presumption that I wouldn't be staring at a computer screen all day long (Oh, how wrong I was in that belief), something I could do to help raise a family (I was in that mindset even in college) in a field I believe I believed I was decent at.

At 45, I'm more manager than accountant. I have to view things more "big picture" than in detail, and I prefer that, though I'd be remiss to fail to say periodically I do find some fun digging in the details of an account to solve a problem.

I don't believe I'm stingy at the least knowing my spending habits.

I also would say the stereotype of accountants is way off. Yes, there are plenty of smart guys. But very few who are "geeky", scrawny and I know only one who wears glasses. lol

I listen to heavy metal and watch/participate in sports, lift heavy four days a week and do major renovations to my house.

I know another who participates and is highly involved in sport fishing competitions, even used to be sponsored.

My CAO takes vacations in out of way places that would make you jealous, and pays for all of his adult kids and their wives to go with him.

I know another that decided to renovate and flip houses (he was recently on an episode of a show on HGTV).

And there's many more that I know that simply don't fit the mold of the stereotype.

But, that's okay, I kind of enjoy telling people I'm an accountant when I have my work boots on after attending to our pig in the backyard or when I'm buying material for my next home improvement project. It throws them off.

To be honest it sounds like you aren't in front of a computer screen as much as IT would be. And thats a good thing. I had the same epiphany.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Stingy? lol
detail oriented? not

When I started college in 1988, I decided I wanted to get into programming/IT. It was an upcoming field with a lot of potential. But after a semester, and no actual computer classes, I had an epiphany - "do I want to spend the next 40 years of my life in front of a computer screen?" My answer was no. Mind you, accounting was still for the most part a paper-driven profession, slowly moving to computers.

At the same time, I changed universities. My new university was much more business-centric. I had taken a couple of accounting classes in high school and was good at it. I also knew that I could make a pretty decent wage in the field. It wasn't that I loved accounting or that it fit me. It came down to what was the best way to make coin, the presumption that I wouldn't be staring at a computer screen all day long (Oh, how wrong I was in that belief), something I could do to help raise a family (I was in that mindset even in college) in a field I believe I believed I was decent at.

At 45, I'm more manager than accountant. I have to view things more "big picture" than in detail, and I prefer that, though I'd be remiss to fail to say periodically I do find some fun digging in the details of an account to solve a problem.

I don't believe I'm stingy at the least knowing my spending habits.

I also would say the stereotype of accountants is way off. Yes, there are plenty of smart guys. But very few who are "geeky", scrawny and I know only one who wears glasses. lol

I listen to heavy metal and watch/participate in sports, lift heavy four days a week and do major renovations to my house.

I know another who participates and is highly involved in sport fishing competitions, even used to be sponsored.

My CAO takes vacations in out of way places that would make you jealous, and pays for all of his adult kids and their wives to go with him.

I know another that decided to renovate and flip houses (he was recently on an episode of a show on HGTV).

And there's many more that I know that simply don't fit the mold of the stereotype.

But, that's okay, I kind of enjoy telling people I'm an accountant when I have my work boots on after attending to our pig in the backyard or when I'm buying material for my next home improvement project. It throws them off.

:thumbsup: I certainly don't fit the stereotype either and I've been doing it for 20 years now. I guess I do drive an accountant's car (Camry Hybrid) but I also ride a Ducati. My boss is a body builder who can bench press 500lbs and he drives a Mercedes CLS550.

I used to surf, I'm into bicycling and I love to watch Formula One racing.

I also like long walks on the beach with my wifey.

I enjoy working on my motorcycle nearly as much as I enjoy riding it. Does this look like the garage of someone who is anal retentive?

 

[Newell Steamer]

Most of the accounting people I've dealt with are pretty level headed.

They don't take too kindly to politics (rightly so), but when presented with the facts, they are great to work with.

 

[OverVolt]

:thumbsup: I certainly don't fit the stereotype either and I've been doing it for 20 years now. I guess I do drive an accountant's car (Camry Hybrid) but I also ride a Ducati. My boss is a body builder who can bench press 500lbs and he drives a Mercedes CLS550.

I used to surf, I'm into bicycling and I love to watch Formula One racing.

I also like long walks on the beach with my wifey.

I enjoy working on my motorcycle nearly as much as I enjoy riding it. Does this look like the garage of someone who is anal retentive?

It does... actually

 

[dave_the_nerd]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkRIbUT6u7Q

 

[DaveSimmons]

Most chartered accounts want to be something else, according to Monty Python's Vocational Guidance Counselor sketch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4h-wVe9a6rQ

 

[Imp]

Not an accountant, but looking back, I should have done accounting over engineering. Definitely more "me."

There's a forum I lurk on with tons of accountants. They seem to all make $100k... and have or are working towards their designations. Word is that a lot of jobs that use to require accountants have been automated or sent to India like 99% of other jobs.

 

[kyrax12]

Not an accountant, but looking back, I should have done accounting over engineering. Definitely more "me."

There's a forum I lurk on with tons of accountants. They seem to all make $100k... and have or are working towards their designations. Word is that a lot of jobs that use to require accountants have been automated or sent to India like 99% of other jobs.

I don't know how one would replace accountants by sending the jobs oversea. Perhaps you mean bookkeepers?

 

[Mandres]

It's boring, tedious work with a corporate culture in which 70 hour weeks are the norm.

The "mentality" is just anyone that can stand the schedule. You meet all different types. The good thing is that most licensed accountants are genuinely intelligent which makes for a nice work group.

 

[Imp]

I don't know how one would replace accountants by sending the jobs oversea. Perhaps you mean bookkeepers?

Again, not an accountant myself so it's third-hand (?) info, it may as well be out of my ass.

But from what I've heard, it's the lower level stuff being automated or outsourced. Some stories of accountants having to work in roles that didn't use to require degree holders.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Enjoy accounting.

No one enjoys accounting.

They enjoy a job skill that gives a high amount of employment stability.

 

[Carson Dyle]

"do I want to spend the next 40 years of my life in front of a computer screen?"

So you became an accountant! That's hilarious!!

Made my day.

 

[Carson Dyle]

It seems they are detail oriented and stingy?

I just want to know the mentality to succeed as an accountant.

BTW, this gets my vote for one of the better disguised trolls I've seen on ATOT in a while. I'm sure there are enough people here who consider it a serious question, without realizing how idiotic it is.

 

[CPA]

It's boring, tedious work with a corporate culture in which 70 hour weeks are the norm.

The "mentality" is just anyone that can stand the schedule. You meet all different types. The good thing is that most licensed accountants are genuinely intelligent which makes for a nice work group.

Audit houses, definitely. Industry accounting, only during quarter-end. I don't work over hours a week, normally, and am working from home this afternoon. I would definitely never do audit, though. First, hours are horrible like you mentions. Second, I would hate to be despised by everyone else.

 

[CPA]

:thumbsup: I certainly don't fit the stereotype either and I've been doing it for 20 years now. I guess I do drive an accountant's car (Camry Hybrid) but I also ride a Ducati. My boss is a body builder who can bench press 500lbs and he drives a Mercedes CLS550.

I used to surf, I'm into bicycling and I love to watch Formula One racing.

I also like long walks on the beach with my wifey.

I enjoy working on my motorcycle nearly as much as I enjoy riding it. Does this look like the garage of someone who is anal retentive?

I drive a truck...and the bed has all kinds of debris from carrying stuff. I want to get back into bikes, but dirt bikes. It's been a while.

 

[Carson Dyle]

nm

 

[Kelvrick]

I got into accounting (audit side of public accounting) by happenstance. Now I make a what I consider to be a whole lot for what I think is minimal investment of effort and simple calculations. I really does come down to simple add, subtract, multiply, divide. You just have to know what to throw into those calculations.

I'm still here because the hours are often long, but flexible outside of the busy season and the pay lets me do a lot of what I like to do. Competitive shooter, photography, travel, etc. I don't kill myself for my job, but I come through when it counts. I feel like I found a good compromise for my particular position.

 

[Ns1]

debit fun
credit bank account

"accountant" is kinda vague. Accounting majors can do a lot of different jobs. detail oriented is a must. there's also 2 broad types of "accountants" (due to their job role), those that talk to people and those who don't.