The opinion that often runs through the world of economics is that accounting is one of the most difficult areas to learn and master. This story is so widespread that many students give up the idea of studying accounting because they think it would be too challenging for them. But is accounting really as difficult as the established narrative says? Well, every area is challenging in its own way, but that definitely doesn’t mean it’s insurmountable. With a little effort it is possible to become good at anything, especially if you have talent or just love it, even if it is accounting. Read on to find out more about why these stories are so popular, as well as what it takes to become a successful accountant.
Why is the opinion that accounting is hard so widespread?
It is difficult to conclude why the opinion that accounting is difficult is so widespread, but there are several possible reasons. But before digging a little bit deeper, it is first important to understand that every field is very difficult for someone, because they may have no affinity and knowledge in it. However, the same area for someone else can be a piece of cake, because they do it with ease and with enjoyment, so this says a lot about the relativity of something ‘being too hard’.
Some of the most common reasons why people choose not to do accounting and think it is too difficult are the following:
1. It involves a lot of math
Mathematics is an area that makes many people dizzy because it is generally not considered the easiest subject in the world. And yes, accounting requires knowledge and skills in mathematics, so if you really can’t stand this field then you’re probably not a good candidate for this job.
However, what you need to know is that accountants have a number of tasks within the job, and not every one of them involves math. It is very important that you educate yourself in time about what studying or doing a certain activity means, so that you do not miss an amazing opportunity for yourself, just because there is a certain narrative about it. If you are good at math and do it with ease, then you would potentially be a very good accountant as well.
2. They are afraid that their work will only include dealing with a bunch of numbers on daily basis
Second reason is that many people are afraid that being an accountant means that they need to be human calculators. But they also think that they do not have that much capacity and that they would not perform very well in this type of work. However, accounting is so much more than just number crunching. Of course there are bookkeepers whose work is mainly focused on dealing with numbers, but this is far from being the only task an accountant can perform. There are so many different areas of accounting that you can choose from, which include a variety of tasks that you will enjoy and won’t be too boring for you. And of course, let’s not forget: someone enjoys playing with numbers, so such a job would be a perfect fit for their skills.
One of the great examples is the Adelaide accounting company, which you can read more about at https://adelaideaccounting.com.au/.
Their services are really diverse, which clearly indicates to you that an accountant can perform a number of different tasks and that there may be a perfect job for you in this area.
3. CPA exams are their biggest nightmare
Being a CPA accountant requires taking CPA exams which are well known to be by no means easy to pass. And this is the third reason why people think that accounting is difficult, so they do not dare to enter it. What you need to know about CPA exams is that not all accountants need to take them. There are other areas of accounting that you can pursue that do not require you to take these exams.
Second, if you dream of being a CPA accountant, and the fear of the test is the only thing stopping you along the way, then it’s a good idea to rethink your fears and beliefs. Just because a test is difficult doesn’t mean you can’t pass it. Keep in mind that you will hear scary stories around you much more often than successful ones (where people passed CPA exams with ease). If you feel deep down that this is your calling, don’t let one test be a reason to give up on your dreams.
What are the signs that you should consider following an accounting career?
Of course, accounting is hard for some people, but that does not mean that accounting is universally difficult. There are some traits that, if you possess, indicate that you would potentially be a great accountant.
For example, if you are very organized and like to plan ahead, you should know that this is one of the key traits of successful accountants. There is so much data in this area that you will need to process, classify and manage, so organizational skills are an integral part of doing an accountant’s job. Also, if you are good at teamwork and find it easy to simplify, understand and explain complex concepts, this is another sign to be good at accounting.
Of course, these are just some of the guidelines, and there are a number of other factors that are crucial for success in this career. However, if you do not find yourself in this and think that none of these traits are the ones you have, it is also a sign: that it may be better to skip accounting, because you could not do it with ease.
Conclusion
There is a common narrative that accounting is very difficult for a large number of people. And to be clear, this is not entirely incorrect. However, it is important to understand the main challenges of studying or being employed in the accounting field. If you’re bad at math, don’t like playing with numbers, are afraid of CPA exams, or don’t have planning and organization skills, then you probably won’t be a good accountant either, so maybe you should consider another career.
