4 answers
Bryan
Student
1
Question
Updated
637 views
I want to get into the world of being an accountant. how should I go about? it What struggles or obstacles are present daily? Do you feel stuck at times and if so how do you figure your way out? Do you prefer to work public or private? Do you feel like the pay doesn't match the work you put in? When should I start looking for positions, internships, and hands-on work. ASAP or during or after college? Do you feel like your work consumes you or is your work-life separate
I am in my first semester of college majoring in business looking for advice or daily norms accounting. Should I be worried about AI taking over the job or see it as an added help to me.
4 answers
Shannon Zulauf
Risk & Independence
67
Answers
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Updated
Shannon’s Answer
Hi! This is the time to explore and ask questions. I actually love that you’re thinking about these things early. It shows you care and want to be intentional about your path.
How do you get into accounting?
Focus on your classes and really understand the basics. You don’t need to have everything mapped out right now. When I was in school, internships and working in different areas of the school (e.g., student events board and tutoring) made a huge difference. Exposure is everything — the more you see, the clearer things become.
Daily struggles or obstacles?
Workload and competing deadlines are common challenges throughout a career. There are busy seasons. You may feel stretched at times. But over that same time, you develop skills in prioritization, communication, and setting boundaries. I’ve never felt permanently stuck, just more temporarily challenged, and in those moments I have grown and been given a little clarity about where I wanted to go next.
Work-life balance?
There are seasons. Busy season is real. But accounting doesn’t have to consume your identity. Over time, you learn to separate work and life by planning ahead, setting boundaries, and being intentional about decompressing.
AI
I see AI as a tool. AI can help automate when there are repetitive tasks, but that makes more time for you and others to focus more on strategic thinking. If you stay curious and adaptable, AI becomes an asset, not a threat.
How do you get into accounting?
Focus on your classes and really understand the basics. You don’t need to have everything mapped out right now. When I was in school, internships and working in different areas of the school (e.g., student events board and tutoring) made a huge difference. Exposure is everything — the more you see, the clearer things become.
Daily struggles or obstacles?
Workload and competing deadlines are common challenges throughout a career. There are busy seasons. You may feel stretched at times. But over that same time, you develop skills in prioritization, communication, and setting boundaries. I’ve never felt permanently stuck, just more temporarily challenged, and in those moments I have grown and been given a little clarity about where I wanted to go next.
Work-life balance?
There are seasons. Busy season is real. But accounting doesn’t have to consume your identity. Over time, you learn to separate work and life by planning ahead, setting boundaries, and being intentional about decompressing.
AI
I see AI as a tool. AI can help automate when there are repetitive tasks, but that makes more time for you and others to focus more on strategic thinking. If you stay curious and adaptable, AI becomes an asset, not a threat.
Diana Hoang
Auditor
2
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Diana’s Answer
Hi! It’s great that you’re thinking about these questions so early.
First, I want to say that whether work “consumes” your life often depends on how well you learn to set boundaries. In public accounting especially, people are constantly asking for help with different tasks and deliverables. Usually, it’s not because they are trying to overwhelm you — it’s more that they may not realize how much you already have on your plate. What seems like “one small task” to one person can quickly add up when several people are asking at once. That’s why learning not to be a yes-person is so important. It can feel uncomfortable at first, especially when you are early in your career, but being honest and respectful about your workload makes a huge difference. Asking for help is also a strength, not a weakness. In my experience, managers would much rather know early that you need support than find out too late.
If you are just starting to explore accounting, one of the first things to focus on is your GPA. Whether you are interested in public or private accounting, employers often use GPA as an early indicator of whether they want to move forward with a candidate. Keeping your grades strong can open more doors and give you more options. Beyond that, you should also think about how to stand out outside the classroom. Internships, leadership positions, and involvement in organizations like Beta Alpha Psi or other accounting clubs can all help you build experience and show initiative.
As for when to start looking for positions, internships, and hands-on experience: start as early as you can. You do not need to wait until after college. The earlier you begin exploring opportunities, networking, and gaining experience, the better prepared you will be. Even if your first role is small, it helps you learn what you like, what you do not like, and what kind of environment fits you best.
Speaking from the public accounting side, especially in a Big Four environment, I will be honest: your first year can feel overwhelming at times, especially during busy season. There are definitely stressful periods, and meeting deadlines can be tough. At the same time, your experience depends a lot on your team, your client, and the kind of work you are doing. The right team can make a huge difference. Some projects are intense, but others can be very manageable and even enjoyable. That is why it helps to speak up about the kind of work you are interested in and the teams you work well with.
Daily struggles can vary, but one common challenge is balancing a heavy workload while trying to meet deadlines. Stress is part of the job, so it is important to find ways to manage it that work for you. One thing I personally like about public accounting is that there is usually a decent amount of PTO and firm holidays. Taking advantage of that time — even by planning small breaks or longer weekends throughout the year — can really help you recharge. Sometimes when I feel stuck or burned out, having that time to step away and reset makes a big difference.
As for pay, that can depend on your expectations, the firm, and the stage of your career. There may be times when the hours feel heavier than the paycheck seems to justify, especially early on. But many people stay because the experience, learning, and long-term career opportunities can be very valuable. Public accounting can be demanding, but it also gives you strong exposure, builds your skills quickly, and can open a lot of doors later.
Overall, accounting may not be the flashiest career from the outside, but it can be a very solid, stable, and even fun career. Hope this helps!
First, I want to say that whether work “consumes” your life often depends on how well you learn to set boundaries. In public accounting especially, people are constantly asking for help with different tasks and deliverables. Usually, it’s not because they are trying to overwhelm you — it’s more that they may not realize how much you already have on your plate. What seems like “one small task” to one person can quickly add up when several people are asking at once. That’s why learning not to be a yes-person is so important. It can feel uncomfortable at first, especially when you are early in your career, but being honest and respectful about your workload makes a huge difference. Asking for help is also a strength, not a weakness. In my experience, managers would much rather know early that you need support than find out too late.
If you are just starting to explore accounting, one of the first things to focus on is your GPA. Whether you are interested in public or private accounting, employers often use GPA as an early indicator of whether they want to move forward with a candidate. Keeping your grades strong can open more doors and give you more options. Beyond that, you should also think about how to stand out outside the classroom. Internships, leadership positions, and involvement in organizations like Beta Alpha Psi or other accounting clubs can all help you build experience and show initiative.
As for when to start looking for positions, internships, and hands-on experience: start as early as you can. You do not need to wait until after college. The earlier you begin exploring opportunities, networking, and gaining experience, the better prepared you will be. Even if your first role is small, it helps you learn what you like, what you do not like, and what kind of environment fits you best.
Speaking from the public accounting side, especially in a Big Four environment, I will be honest: your first year can feel overwhelming at times, especially during busy season. There are definitely stressful periods, and meeting deadlines can be tough. At the same time, your experience depends a lot on your team, your client, and the kind of work you are doing. The right team can make a huge difference. Some projects are intense, but others can be very manageable and even enjoyable. That is why it helps to speak up about the kind of work you are interested in and the teams you work well with.
Daily struggles can vary, but one common challenge is balancing a heavy workload while trying to meet deadlines. Stress is part of the job, so it is important to find ways to manage it that work for you. One thing I personally like about public accounting is that there is usually a decent amount of PTO and firm holidays. Taking advantage of that time — even by planning small breaks or longer weekends throughout the year — can really help you recharge. Sometimes when I feel stuck or burned out, having that time to step away and reset makes a big difference.
As for pay, that can depend on your expectations, the firm, and the stage of your career. There may be times when the hours feel heavier than the paycheck seems to justify, especially early on. But many people stay because the experience, learning, and long-term career opportunities can be very valuable. Public accounting can be demanding, but it also gives you strong exposure, builds your skills quickly, and can open a lot of doors later.
Overall, accounting may not be the flashiest career from the outside, but it can be a very solid, stable, and even fun career. Hope this helps!
Tichaun Williams
Accounting Manager
2
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Tichaun’s Answer
Hi Bryan, thanks for your question! If you're thinking about becoming an accountant, start by taking some Accounting courses in college to learn the basics. This will help you see if it's the right path for you. Going for your CPA is a great idea too. Accounting can be exciting because there's always something new to learn. While some tasks might feel repetitive, different workplaces offer a variety of experiences. Accounting jobs often pay well, though this can depend on where you live. The job can be demanding, especially during busy times, but it's also very rewarding. Try to get an internship early in college to explore different industries and find what interests you most. As for AI, it could be a great tool to help accountants focus on more important tasks by automating routine work.
VIJAY NARAHAR REDDY KONDURU, CPA
Tax Senior
4
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
VIJAY NARAHAR REDDY’s Answer
Hi Bryan,
Great to see you asking the right questions early on. Accounting is a solid choice if you're looking for stability, clear career paths, and skills that are useful almost anywhere.
Here's a closer look at the job:
Getting started: Focus on your intro accounting classes, keep your GPA up, learn Excel, talk to your professors, join accounting or business clubs, and start connecting with recruiters and professionals on LinkedIn by your sophomore year.
Daily work involves checking numbers, fixing mistakes, organizing records, explaining results, meeting deadlines, and solving problems. It's more about being detail-oriented and logical than doing hard math.
Challenges include deadlines, repetitive tasks, messy data, and unclear instructions. At first, building confidence can be tough, but remember, everyone learns at their own pace.
Feeling stuck is common, especially in school and at your first job. The key is to ask questions early, take notes, learn one process at a time, and remember that "new" doesn't mean "bad at it."
Public vs. private: Public accounting offers quicker learning, more pressure, longer hours, and a stronger resume. Private accounting usually provides steadier hours and a deeper focus on one company. Starting in public accounting can be beneficial if you want to grow fast.
Pay vs. work: Early on, the pay might not fully match the workload, especially during busy times. However, accounting rewards experience, certifications, and reliability over time, so the long-term benefits usually outweigh the early challenges.
When to look for internships/jobs: Start during college, not after. Begin building your resume now and aim for internships by your sophomore year. Use your freshman year to lay the foundation and network.
Work-life balance varies by role. Public accounting can be demanding during peak times, while private accounting tends to be more predictable. Choose your environment wisely to find the right balance.
AI risk: Don't worry about AI taking over. It will handle some repetitive tasks, but it will also highlight the value of people who can analyze, question, explain, and make decisions. Use AI as a helpful tool, not as competition.
If you're interested in a stable and flexible business career, stick with accounting. Give it 1–2 semesters to see if you enjoy the detail-oriented, deadline-driven, and problem-solving nature of the work. If you do, you'll have a practical degree with strong career options.
Great to see you asking the right questions early on. Accounting is a solid choice if you're looking for stability, clear career paths, and skills that are useful almost anywhere.
Here's a closer look at the job:
Getting started: Focus on your intro accounting classes, keep your GPA up, learn Excel, talk to your professors, join accounting or business clubs, and start connecting with recruiters and professionals on LinkedIn by your sophomore year.
Daily work involves checking numbers, fixing mistakes, organizing records, explaining results, meeting deadlines, and solving problems. It's more about being detail-oriented and logical than doing hard math.
Challenges include deadlines, repetitive tasks, messy data, and unclear instructions. At first, building confidence can be tough, but remember, everyone learns at their own pace.
Feeling stuck is common, especially in school and at your first job. The key is to ask questions early, take notes, learn one process at a time, and remember that "new" doesn't mean "bad at it."
Public vs. private: Public accounting offers quicker learning, more pressure, longer hours, and a stronger resume. Private accounting usually provides steadier hours and a deeper focus on one company. Starting in public accounting can be beneficial if you want to grow fast.
Pay vs. work: Early on, the pay might not fully match the workload, especially during busy times. However, accounting rewards experience, certifications, and reliability over time, so the long-term benefits usually outweigh the early challenges.
When to look for internships/jobs: Start during college, not after. Begin building your resume now and aim for internships by your sophomore year. Use your freshman year to lay the foundation and network.
Work-life balance varies by role. Public accounting can be demanding during peak times, while private accounting tends to be more predictable. Choose your environment wisely to find the right balance.
AI risk: Don't worry about AI taking over. It will handle some repetitive tasks, but it will also highlight the value of people who can analyze, question, explain, and make decisions. Use AI as a helpful tool, not as competition.
If you're interested in a stable and flexible business career, stick with accounting. Give it 1–2 semesters to see if you enjoy the detail-oriented, deadline-driven, and problem-solving nature of the work. If you do, you'll have a practical degree with strong career options.
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