2 answers
Miguel
Student
Fullerton, California
1
Question
Asked
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What skills should I focus on now if I want a career in Accounting in the next 5-10 years?
I'm a high school student interested in Accounting, Finance, and working with numbers. I want to start building the right skills and experience now to be well-prepared for college and a successful career in Accounting. #Fall25
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2 answers
Wong Loke Yuen
Head of Programme cum Senior Lecturer
645
Answers
Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Updated
Wong’s Answer
Hi Miguel. I am a lecturer in accounting, and I see what helps students succeed. The ones who do well are not always the smartest at math, they are the ones who are organized, willing to learn new things, and pay close attention to details. I encourage you to start practicing these skills now, because they will make college much easier and help you feel confident as you move toward your career goals.
The first important skill is math. Accounting does not use very difficult math, but you do need to understand numbers, patterns, and how to solve problems. Classes like algebra and statistics are especially helpful. If you become comfortable with these now, you will understand accounting faster later.
Technology skills are also becoming very important. Many tasks in accounting are done with software. One of the best things you can learn now is how to use Excel or other spreadsheet tools.
Communication is another big part of accounting. Accountants explain financial information to managers, clients, or others who need to make decisions. This means you need to write and speak clearly. You can practice this by doing presentations in school, joining clubs, or writing more in your classes. Good communication helps people trust your work.
By growing your math skills, technology abilities, communication, and professionalism, you will be well-prepared for college and a successful future in accounting. All the best!
The first important skill is math. Accounting does not use very difficult math, but you do need to understand numbers, patterns, and how to solve problems. Classes like algebra and statistics are especially helpful. If you become comfortable with these now, you will understand accounting faster later.
Technology skills are also becoming very important. Many tasks in accounting are done with software. One of the best things you can learn now is how to use Excel or other spreadsheet tools.
Communication is another big part of accounting. Accountants explain financial information to managers, clients, or others who need to make decisions. This means you need to write and speak clearly. You can practice this by doing presentations in school, joining clubs, or writing more in your classes. Good communication helps people trust your work.
By growing your math skills, technology abilities, communication, and professionalism, you will be well-prepared for college and a successful future in accounting. All the best!
Yasmin Mohamed Alamin
Clinical Nutrition Student
63
Answers
Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypt
Updated
Yasmin’s Answer
Hi Miguel 👋🏻...
It’s great that you’re thinking ahead, accounting is one of those careers where the skills you build early make everything later so much easier.
If you want to set yourself up for the next 5–10 years, focus on three layers: the mindset, the technical basics, and the real-life habits.
Start with the mindset. Accounting is all about clarity, patience, and noticing small details that other people overlook. Anything that helps you think in an organized, logical way (math classes, puzzles, budgeting your own spending) will pay off later.
For technical skills, build a strong foundation in math, especially algebra. You don’t need advanced calculus to be a great accountant... what matters more is being comfortable with numbers, patterns, and problem-solving. If you want a head start, try learning Excel early. Even simple things like formulas, tables, and organizing data will put you ahead of most college freshmen.
And then there are the habits. Get used to being dependable with deadlines, keeping things organized, and double-checking your work. That sounds small, but those habits are what make good accountants great ones.
If you want extra experience, volunteer to help with school club budgets, small fundraising events, or even track your own expenses. Any exposure to managing money — even in simple ways — builds confidence.
You don’t have to be perfect right now. Just keep strengthening your comfort with numbers, build good study habits, and stay curious about how money moves in the real world. Those skills grow with you and make the transition into college accounting a lot smoother.
It’s great that you’re thinking ahead, accounting is one of those careers where the skills you build early make everything later so much easier.
If you want to set yourself up for the next 5–10 years, focus on three layers: the mindset, the technical basics, and the real-life habits.
Start with the mindset. Accounting is all about clarity, patience, and noticing small details that other people overlook. Anything that helps you think in an organized, logical way (math classes, puzzles, budgeting your own spending) will pay off later.
For technical skills, build a strong foundation in math, especially algebra. You don’t need advanced calculus to be a great accountant... what matters more is being comfortable with numbers, patterns, and problem-solving. If you want a head start, try learning Excel early. Even simple things like formulas, tables, and organizing data will put you ahead of most college freshmen.
And then there are the habits. Get used to being dependable with deadlines, keeping things organized, and double-checking your work. That sounds small, but those habits are what make good accountants great ones.
If you want extra experience, volunteer to help with school club budgets, small fundraising events, or even track your own expenses. Any exposure to managing money — even in simple ways — builds confidence.
You don’t have to be perfect right now. Just keep strengthening your comfort with numbers, build good study habits, and stay curious about how money moves in the real world. Those skills grow with you and make the transition into college accounting a lot smoother.