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What type of math do accountants use in their work?
I've noticed that I could take a finite math class to complete all the math required for my accounting major but will I be well prepared for work?
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4 answers
Updated
Emanuel’s Answer
Hey Tammy,
I hope you are doing well! Typically basic arithmetic is utilized in the accounting profession. Though often times we use excel functions and formulas to calculate most items, we will use basic arithmetic. I would say developing your skillset in excel and familiarizing yourself with functions would be great!
I hope you are doing well! Typically basic arithmetic is utilized in the accounting profession. Though often times we use excel functions and formulas to calculate most items, we will use basic arithmetic. I would say developing your skillset in excel and familiarizing yourself with functions would be great!
Updated
Isaiah’s Answer
A lot of people associate Math and Accounting, but I would say they are not as intertwined as most people think. You will work with a lot of numbers for sure in accounting, but you don't need to be a mathematician to succeed. You will have to take a few math courses in school to get a solid understanding of certain aspects, such as statistics. However, in this day and age most of the math in your everyday work is done by formulas that the computer will calculate for you. So, making sure you absorb not only the general math courses but also the Excel and computer software courses is very important. Overall, grasping the objectives and rules of accounting itself is more important than the rules and specifics of advanced mathematics.
I really appreciate your help, thank you Isaiah!
Tammy
Updated
Will’s Answer
Hey Tammy,
Good observation!
While I do agree that basic arithmetic covers most of the calculation performed in daily accounting-related tasks, there're a few more types for more advanced usage of math. To list a few below:
Statistics: Understanding statistics is crucial for analyzing data, understanding trends, and making informed predictions. This includes knowledge of mean, median, mode, variance, and standard deviation.
Financial Mathematics: This includes concepts like present value, future value, interest rates, annuities, and amortization schedules, which are essential for financial planning, investment analysis, and loan calculations.
Probability: Basic probability helps in risk assessment and decision-making processes.
Finite Mathematics: Finite math covers various topics that are useful in business and accounting, such as matrices, linear programming, and sets.
Calculus (to some extent): While not always required, some higher-level accounting and finance roles may require an understanding of calculus, particularly for modeling and optimization problems.
Hope that helps.
Good observation!
While I do agree that basic arithmetic covers most of the calculation performed in daily accounting-related tasks, there're a few more types for more advanced usage of math. To list a few below:
Statistics: Understanding statistics is crucial for analyzing data, understanding trends, and making informed predictions. This includes knowledge of mean, median, mode, variance, and standard deviation.
Financial Mathematics: This includes concepts like present value, future value, interest rates, annuities, and amortization schedules, which are essential for financial planning, investment analysis, and loan calculations.
Probability: Basic probability helps in risk assessment and decision-making processes.
Finite Mathematics: Finite math covers various topics that are useful in business and accounting, such as matrices, linear programming, and sets.
Calculus (to some extent): While not always required, some higher-level accounting and finance roles may require an understanding of calculus, particularly for modeling and optimization problems.
Hope that helps.
Thank you! Your response was very clear and in depth, this definitely helps me.
Tammy
May I ask about your education and career pathway that lead you to be a manager at PwC?
Tammy
Sure, I have a mix of Finance and IT background and went for a CFA track instead of CPA due to personal interest and lack of accounting credit requirement for CPA.
Will Xue, CFA
Oo what were the characteristics of finance that made it more appealing for you?
Tammy
Just name a few: 1. high earning potential, 2. opportunities solve complex but important problems, 3. work with and learn from smart and hard-working people.
Will Xue, CFA
Would you say that the earning potential for accountants are much lower? And in your observation, are accountants typically secluded in an office?
Tammy
From my view, working in a Public Accounting firm (PwC), earning potential is pretty decent. Also, most likely accountants (CPAs) are running major business units here. Not in a good position to comment on general accounting department. However, there's always balance of work and life, earning potential and quality time vs family, etc.
Will Xue, CFA
What roles did you have before becoming a manager at PwC, if any? Did you intern at PwC before?
Tammy
Thank you! Did you intern after you obtained your degree? I've looked at internships but they require a BS or masters which is understandable.
Tammy
Yes, I did during my master's degree and it's possible to intern during BS too.
Will Xue, CFA
Updated
Trevor’s Answer
Hey Tammy,
I remember being nervous about how much math and statistics would be in the accounting profession, but like my professors would express when I was still in school, "It's just a lot of adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing". You will definitely have a sufficient skill set by the time you graduate when entering the work field. I will also say that accounting firms are heavily focused on integrating AI into their services to their clients, so a lot of the math is already done for you! Hopefully this helps!
I remember being nervous about how much math and statistics would be in the accounting profession, but like my professors would express when I was still in school, "It's just a lot of adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing". You will definitely have a sufficient skill set by the time you graduate when entering the work field. I will also say that accounting firms are heavily focused on integrating AI into their services to their clients, so a lot of the math is already done for you! Hopefully this helps!