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What skills can I learn now to be well prepared and stay ahead of my college peers as a current high school senior in accounting ?

I am determined to learn as much as I can about accounting right now as a senior in High School, but I'm still kind of confused about what skills I should be learning.

accounting financial-accounting accountingmajor public-accounting
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kari’s Answer

Great question, here are some things you can focus on:
1) Put in the work- the basics of accounting are important and it will be the foundation for which a career is built on. If there are accounting areas that don't make sense to you look at different materials or talk it out with your peers. There are alot of resources out there to help you understand better.
2) Be open to a changing business word. As new trends and technology is available get on board and play around with it. You don't have to know everything, you just need to be open to exploring.
3) Refine communication skills: You will need to be able to communicate with your clients on complex matters. Find your personal voice and how you can communicate with impact.
4) Work as a team- make sure you are open to others ideas. Collaboration of a diverse workforce will improve your experience and your impact.
5) Be a continuous learner- look for resources to continually develop your knowledge base.
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Rachel’s Answer

I worked as an accounting assistant and used everything I learned from my accounting degree. Understanding debits, credits, and entry instructions is important. I also recommend learning tax preparation skills, as accounting offices do more than just basic entries and financial statements. Since tax laws change often, it's crucial to stay updated with annual refreshers. Good luck with your future plans!
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Monica’s Answer

I would suggest if you are taking any classes in the accounting field now ; complete all the assignments for the class. In addition to the assignments I would suggest you advance to complete all the work from your textbook. With all the free online education platforms you may find more advanced accounting classes. Explore careers in Accounting and please don't get caught up in the "you have to be good in math" to be a Accountant. Hope this helps.
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Amanda’s Answer

The accounting field is always changing, especially with new technology like AI. It's a great time to learn and grow. Along with building good relationships, try to learn AI-prompting skills, manage your time well, and adapt quickly to changes. These skills will help you succeed in this exciting field.
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Caitlin’s Answer

Hi Jairo! This is a great question, how exciting that you are thinking about fields and careers that you want to explore! I studied accounting in college, but did not know that is what I would end up studying when I was in high school. And it is totally okay if you end up changing your mind at any point - I do not currently do anything related to accounting, but work at a Big 4 accounting firm. :)

I think the best thing you can do is to explore this career. If there are any small accounting firms in your area, reach out to see if someone who works there would be willing to sit down with you and answer some questions. See if your local library or if your school has any career days or related events where you could meet someone who works in accounting.

In terms of building skills, if you are thinking about technical accounting skills, that will come when you are in college and on the job. Skills that I think you can build right now that are just as important, are skills like communication, time management, prioritization, asking thoughtful questions, thinking critically. These are all things you can do with school work and projects, if you are on any sports teams or involved with clubs, or with any kind of part time job you might have during high school. They are critical to being successful in any career, and they are really difficult to teach the more experience you have.

You are going to be great! If you have any specific questions about the field, ask them here and your informal mentors can help answer them! :)
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Jessica’s Answer

You've already received some great advice, and I want to add a few more helpful tips. Improving your communication skills is crucial. Accountants need to explain financial details clearly to people who might not understand accounting. You can get better at this by summarizing complex topics in a few simple sentences, joining activities that involve public speaking like debate or student government, and practicing writing clear emails.

Also, working on professionalism and emotional intelligence can help you thrive in teams. This means getting comfortable with feedback and handling stress well during busy times. Critical thinking and ethical judgment are important too, as you'll often need to make careful decisions and act with integrity. Lastly, developing strong time-management skills and being reliable will prepare you for a fast-paced job with tight deadlines. You've got this!
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Priyali’s Answer

Hi Jairo,

To get a head start in accounting for college, focus on a few key skills. First, learn the basics like debits and credits, financial statements, and how businesses track their money. A beginner's book or an online course can be really helpful.

Next, get familiar with Excel. You don’t need to know complex formulas yet, but learn how to organize data, use simple functions, and make basic spreadsheets. This will give you an advantage in your assignments.

Also, develop habits like paying attention to detail, staying organized, double-checking your work, and keeping clear notes. These simple habits will boost your confidence in class.

For a deeper understanding, watch quick videos on topics like budgeting, bookkeeping, or financial analysis on YouTube or Coursera. Even a little exposure will help you grasp these concepts faster in college.

The aim is not to master everything now, but to build enough knowledge so nothing feels completely new in your first class. A bit of practice now can make your college journey smoother and more confident.

Good luck!
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Lisa’s Answer

Besides improving your accounting and math skills, focus on building your human skills too. Skills like critical thinking, analytical thinking, communication, and business sense are very important and will help you stand out. Good luck as you prepare for college. Your motivation, determination, and hard work will be key to your success!
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Andrea’s Answer

Hi Jairo,
Great question! You are already off to a good start by knowing that you want to pursue an education in accounting! It's a great career with many different pathways and opportunities. Before you get to college, learn the basics of accounting like journal entries and financial statements. When I studied accounting, my first professor called accounting, " a foreign language math". It's not hard math, just different. Learning the simple basics before you get to college can be very helpful. Here's one: assets = liabilities + equity. That is true everytime.
An important skill to learn is excel. And stay up-do-date on new technology, like AI and AI embedded in excel.
Best of luck to you!
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James’s Answer

Jairo, you're doing great, so keep going. To further develop your skills, focus on Excel and other spreadsheet software. Learning data-heavy tools like Power BI or Tableau will also be beneficial for your accounting career. Additionally, try using AI tools like ChatGPT to help complete tasks faster. Lastly, join networking groups with other accounting professionals to start building valuable connections.
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Alexandra’s Answer

Hi Jairo,

It’s great to see your determination to dive deep into accounting even before starting college! The best way to expand beyond what you learn in the classroom is by gaining practical experience through volunteer work or internships. These opportunities give you hands-on exposure to real-world accounting tasks, help you build professional connections, and let you apply your knowledge in meaningful ways.

To secure an internship or volunteer role, start by reaching out to local accounting firms, small businesses, or nonprofit organizations—many welcome help during tax season or with basic bookkeeping. You can also check with your school’s career center or online platforms like LinkedIn for entry-level or remote internships. Networking through your family, friends, or your school’s alumni can also open doors to opportunities you might not find advertised.

As for skills to focus on now, besides mastering the basics of bookkeeping and financial statements, learning how to use accounting software like QuickBooks or Excel will give you a strong advantage. Excel skills are very important and will still be needed in the field of accounting, even with the advance of AI. Developing your attention to detail, analytical thinking, and communication skills will also set you apart since accountants need to interpret data clearly and explain it to others. Additionally, brushing up on basic tax concepts and understanding ethical practices in accounting can prepare you well for college courses and beyond.

Keep building both your knowledge and practical skills, and you’ll definitely stay ahead and be ready to tackle your accounting studies with confidence!
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Wong’s Answer

Hello Jairo. As a lecturer in accounting, I'm always pleased when students show strong motivation before they even start college. Your motivation as a high school senior will help you stand out from many of your future classmates. Accounting rewards people who prepare early, so the skills you build now can make your first year of college much easier and give you a strong head start.

First, you need to focus on strengthening your basic math skills. You don't need advanced math for accounting, but you should feel comfortable with algebra, fractions, percentages, and ratios. These types of problems show up all the time in accounting. If the basics feel easy, try practicing real-life examples like calculating interest, creating simple budgets, or comparing different costs.

Next, you should learn the basic ideas and vocabulary of accounting. Begin with simple concepts like assets, liabilities, equity, revenue, expenses, and financial statements. There are many free videos and websites that explain these terms in a clear, beginner-friendly way. You don't have to understand every detail yet. Just knowing the general meaning of these words will make your college classes feel much more familiar when you get there. All the best to you.
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Lauren’s Answer

You are off to an incredible start considering you are already thinking about this as a high school senior! With this mindset, you can enter college and jump into accounting classes right away. While you will have to take your school's required introductory classes which typically have a broad range, once you declare your major you will start taking more detailed accounting classes as well as some general business classes as well such as business law, statistics, etc. I found that it was also helpful to take other general business classes such as marketing, finance, business ethics, negotiations - these types of classes will help make you a well-rounded employee .
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Shirley’s Answer

Hi Jairo,

I recommend watching youtube videos to learn about the basics of accounting such as preparing journal entries and how to prepare financial statements. If you have time, you can also look into helpful tips and tricks in Microsoft Excel.
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Maryann’s Answer

You're doing great! Understanding accounting concepts before college gives you a strong start. It's also a good idea to explore how data, analytics, and AI are used in the field. You can easily learn more by reading articles and doing some research. Keep going; you're on the right path!
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