If you’re in the process of choosing a major, you know that a LOT goes into the decision. You want to be interested in whatever you study, set yourself up for a career you’ll love, and ultimately weigh the pros and cons to see if you’ll succeed. If you’re considering picking accounting, one of the fundamental questions you may ask in this process is: Is accounting hard?
Understanding the level of difficulty, advantages of having an accounting degree, and your long-term career goals can help you answer this question and decide if accounting is the right path for you.
Accounting courses
To determine, “Is accounting hard?”, you should have an idea of the coursework that you’ll take throughout the major. If you think accounting is all crazy math and crunching numbers, think again! It’s so much more.
Every program will be different, but general accounting courses that you can expect include:1
- Financial accounting: the basics of accounting principles, accounting lifecycle, and how accounting is used in business
- Taxation: income taxes for individuals and businesses, as well as strategies to optimize tax savings and compliance
- Cost and managerial accounting: reporting and analyzing financial data to inform the best data control and decision-making
- Business law for accountants: the profession’s legal environment and important codes and regulations that dictate how accountants work
- Auditing: strategy, process, and reporting for audit and assurance services
- Accounting information systems: an understanding of the IT and software programs vital for accountants, as well as data management best practices
If any of these areas seems the slightest bit intriguing, accounting might be a great fit for you—especially because you can advance in many different fields of accounting according to your specific interests.
Difficulty of accounting coursework
There is no other way to say this…accounting isn’t for slackers! Throughout your career, you’ll never stop learning—through new experiences, credentials, and continuing professional education (CPE). So, in college, don’t be surprised if you find yourself in the library while your friends are out at a bar.
The courses will require your attention and effort, but if you prioritize the goal and maintain good study habits, you’ll not only succeed in the classes, but you’ll also gain all the basics needed to thrive in an accounting career.
Is accounting hard? Maybe, but definitely worth it.
Accounting’s difficulty depends on your perspective and interests. Yes, you have to be dedicated to learning—both during university and consistently throughout your career. But if you’re willing to invest, the benefits of an accounting degree are infinite.
Endless career opportunities
There is no one “right path” as an accountant. There are so many job options and career directions that you could explore, depending on your interests, location, salary goals, desired work/life balance, and other factors.
Three major branches available with an accounting degree are:
- Accounting: bookkeeping, forecasting, advising on financial decision-making, streamlining spending efficiency, and reporting accuracy for public firms or private organizations
- Tax: filing and managing clients’ taxes, optimizing tax savings, ensuring compliance, and representing clients during audits
- Audit: analyzing reports, investigating fraud, advising on risk management, and communicating findings internally for an organization, or for a public firm or agency
Within each of these areas, you can advance and specialize even further through professional credentials—like a CPA license, CMA certification, or EA credential—and CPE courses. And, if you decide you don’t like one career path, you can pivot to another area that better fits your goals.
Job security
Accountants are needed in good and bad economies. As long as there are businesses, government, and trade, accountants will be a vital asset of the labor force. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job market is projected to grow 6% over the next 10 years (2% faster than the national average).2
In short, if you graduate with an accounting degree, you’ll have ample employment options for the long hull.
High earning potential
The accountant’s medium salary is $79,8802,2 over $13,000 more than the national average.3 If you earn your CPA license, this average salary increases even more to $99,000.4 Plus, these numbers are merely averages—meaning that your earning potential goes far beyond, as you continue to advance in your career and specialize in your discipline.
Learn how to succeed in accounting
If you’re the type of go-getter who is curious to learn and grow, and fascinated by skills like business navigation, communication, analysis, and data-driven decision-making, accounting just might be the perfect major for you.
Don’t let a reputation of difficulty stop you from enjoying the many benefits that an accounting degree will bring. Learn to succeed in accounting through Becker’s course, “Survive and Thrive to Start Your Accounting Career”—designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills that will set you apart as you enter the profession.
Get started on your unique path to accounting success!
We talked to hundreds of accountants and CPAs to provide insights and actionable steps you can take to succeed in your new career!
Survive and Thrive to Start Your Accounting Career
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