[Anonymous]

I read that the amount of people entering accounting and getting accounting degrees are going up but the number of CPA is at a stand still, the 150 credit hours and the fact the test was so hard before is part of the problem. I also read that the average CPA is like 45-55 years old and as many as possibly half of all CPAs will retire in the next 10 years. The number of people going into accounting dropped tremendously during the dot com boom and bust apparently and the SOX act has caused the demand to spike way higher than supply.

With all that said why are accountants so over worked and underpaid then? If there is such a high demand for them it seems like CPAs should be making a lot of money and be able to work the amount of hours they want.

[Anonymous]

CPA's will probably be making 200,000-800,000 a year based on other factors in the future. They are the only ones with salaries that are immune to this depression. That may change however because usually when the wealth disparity reaches a certain point systems tend to collapse.

[wowurrcool]

@Alexdernfel Lol, no.

FAR - 87 (7/19/13)
BEC - 82 (8/29/13)
REG - 86 (10/18/13)
AUD - 91 (12/06/13)

Becker. Licensed VA CPA 12/31/13

[wowurrcool]

@Alexdernfel Lol, no.

FAR - 87 (7/19/13)
BEC - 82 (8/29/13)
REG - 86 (10/18/13)
AUD - 91 (12/06/13)

Becker. Licensed VA CPA 12/31/13

[vanadium3]

Study Monk's comment is for my enjoyment too.

There's always problems that we have to deal with. It's never going to go away. Nobody will ever reach “perfection.”

CPA

[vanadium3]

Study Monk's comment is for my enjoyment too.

There's always problems that we have to deal with. It's never going to go away. Nobody will ever reach “perfection.”

CPA

[Anonymous]

Vanadium – that depends what you mean…because there is the ideal of perfection and then there is the idea of being perfected. In terms of reaching a state of perfection based on a whim or desire, no, of course not, but based on being perfectly imperfect…well let me tell you about my jar of strawberries and my Lady Jasmine….teehhee

[Anonymous]

Vanadium – that depends what you mean…because there is the ideal of perfection and then there is the idea of being perfected. In terms of reaching a state of perfection based on a whim or desire, no, of course not, but based on being perfectly imperfect…well let me tell you about my jar of strawberries and my Lady Jasmine….teehhee

[vanadium3]

Man. Going all zen on me.

CPA

[vanadium3]

Man. Going all zen on me.

CPA

[teeteenounouche]

Interesting article: https://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20131210194256-11034884-the-shift-change-in-accounting?_mSplash=1

Florida:
AUD: 73, 81! Thank you Lord!
BEC: 73, 77! Thank you Lord! and WTB
REG: 71, 82! Thank you Lord! and A71
FAR: 72, 78! Thank you God and my Mommy in Heaven!

CPA Excel, Ninja Notes & Audio, Wiley Test Bank, CPAreviewforfree

[teeteenounouche]

Interesting article: https://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20131210194256-11034884-the-shift-change-in-accounting?_mSplash=1

Florida:
AUD: 73, 81! Thank you Lord!
BEC: 73, 77! Thank you Lord! and WTB
REG: 71, 82! Thank you Lord! and A71
FAR: 72, 78! Thank you God and my Mommy in Heaven!

CPA Excel, Ninja Notes & Audio, Wiley Test Bank, CPAreviewforfree

[Anonymous]

teeteenounouche

Great article!

I think though, that this is something that has always been needed in accounting, even in the 1950's.

For example if you are an accountant working for microsoft, you should, at least on a basic level, understand something about the history and development of computer systems, how to program, the different languages, while also developing communication and social skills required for the job.

I think there is too much emphasis these days on schmoozing though. Social networks have proven to actually make people more antisocial so this compensation is expected.

But let us examine an accountant who works for a guitar manufacturer. Should he learn how to program? Maybe…maybe all accountants should know programming to some degree or at least database administration.

But more importantly, he should understand the history and evolution of the innovation of electric guitars, or accoustic guitar manufacturing.

I think far too many accountants try to become experts in theories rather than understanding the industry. A prime symptom of this is the fact that big four experience is weighed so heavily, but honestly, a big four accountant will probably be a poor candidate for an accounting position at a computer manufacturing plant, because if he or she is ever going to be in a position of leadership, he would really really have to understand all the components of a computer, its history, and in turn its evolutionary trend towards the future.

If you are going to work for Nvidia, for example, you shoudl probably understand how a GPU works and the history of nvidia and all its competitors….

I don't see any leaders in accounting talking about this, but if you look in other professions, you do see this sort of reverse specialization, or generalization…after all an accountant is in the best position to be a generalist master.

[Anonymous]

teeteenounouche

Great article!

I think though, that this is something that has always been needed in accounting, even in the 1950's.

For example if you are an accountant working for microsoft, you should, at least on a basic level, understand something about the history and development of computer systems, how to program, the different languages, while also developing communication and social skills required for the job.

I think there is too much emphasis these days on schmoozing though. Social networks have proven to actually make people more antisocial so this compensation is expected.

But let us examine an accountant who works for a guitar manufacturer. Should he learn how to program? Maybe…maybe all accountants should know programming to some degree or at least database administration.

But more importantly, he should understand the history and evolution of the innovation of electric guitars, or accoustic guitar manufacturing.

I think far too many accountants try to become experts in theories rather than understanding the industry. A prime symptom of this is the fact that big four experience is weighed so heavily, but honestly, a big four accountant will probably be a poor candidate for an accounting position at a computer manufacturing plant, because if he or she is ever going to be in a position of leadership, he would really really have to understand all the components of a computer, its history, and in turn its evolutionary trend towards the future.

If you are going to work for Nvidia, for example, you shoudl probably understand how a GPU works and the history of nvidia and all its competitors….

I don't see any leaders in accounting talking about this, but if you look in other professions, you do see this sort of reverse specialization, or generalization…after all an accountant is in the best position to be a generalist master.

[Anonymous]

vanadium3

I'm a zen zoola!

[Anonymous]

vanadium3

I'm a zen zoola!

[Author]

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