[johnnxiv]

I’m an accounting student. I’m struggling with intermediate accounting word problems because they are so tricky. The tricky parts are the rules and the dates. I have to pay extra close attention to what the problem is asking.

Working as an accountant, will I have to read all the word problems and journalize them like I did in school? Can I get some ideas of what accountant really do on a daily basis? Do I need to write long reports?

After you get your 4 year degree, are you happy to work as an accountant? What are your struggles?

If one day I get laid off, can my accounting knowledge help me run a successful business?

[Skynet]

No, accounting is not stressful with the right amount of alcohol.

[lakersfan24]

Meh depends on the person for the amount of stress. I work in public doing audit and I don't think it's that stressful.

[Anonymous]

dates are verryyyyyy important in accounting. attention to detail is important

as for the stress, meh, nothing some vodka cant fix

[Anonymous]

lolol @ skynet — this dude is on here asking a legitimate question and this guy's responses are hilarious.

[johnnxiv]

Do I need to write long reports?

[lakersfan24]

No you probably won't need to write long reports when you first start because you don't know enough shit to write something meaningful because school doesn't really teach you shit. You'll learn it on the job.

But you will be writing stuff…

[NepRock]

Accounting is not a stressful job. It just requires attention to detail and hard work like any other profession.

About opening your own business if you get laid off: that is the most unhealthy way to start a business. You start a business because you are passionate about that product or service and you think that it will make a difference in the market, which in return gives you great financial benefits if successful.

BEC: 78
AUD: 74 skipped material 🙁 / 86 didn't leave a thing!
REG: 83
FAR: 79 WOW, I'm DONE!!! Did this really happen?

(CPA exam is a relationship! more time you give, more chances of success)

[johnnxiv]

@NepRock

Become my own boss is my dream. I want to be self employed. That's what I'm passionate about. My question wasn't clear. My question is, can accounting help me run a successful merchandise business? or I need more than just accounting like marketing, entrepreneur?

[mla1169]

Any job can be stressful if you're the type that allows it to be. Fortunately with accounting, there is a natural progression meaning your first job isn't likely to be one with very much responsibility and what you learn at work will be far more valuable than what you learn in school. As for entries, the software does most of the heavy lifting for you but of course you'll need to apply logic and make sure you understand the chart of accounts.

As for starting your own business accounting is the least of your priorities. What quickbooks won't do for you, a half decent high school educated bookkeeper can, until years into a business. By then you hire someone with the proper credentials to handle it for you. Your biggest challenge is finding and retaining customers. You'll find very few successful business owners who could make a journal entry.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[s2sylvir]

Yes, accounting is stressful. There are deadlines. There are angry clients.

Yes, you'll be doing journal entries. No it will not be spoonfed to you. Imagine just getting a stack of workpapers and they tell you “record these”. You figure out what they are, and you record them based on how your manager likes them recorded or you'll be getting review comments back. Not all managers like their journal entries done the same way. The most important thing I learned from financial accounting was debits and credits. Everything else I never “understood” until getting my first job and applying the real world applications.

No, I do not regret going into accounting. I love what I do (international tax).

Yes, there will be writing. You will be asked to do tax research and prepare memos and explanations of your findings. If you're not into tax research, then go into audit. If you're into tax, not being able to do tax research means you're about as useful as H&R Block or TurboTax.

Just get a good GPA in school, network, get a job, and then ask these question. You'll be surprised how irrelevant they are in the long run.

BEC - PASS (79)
AUD - PASS (63, 71, 74, 74, 83)
REG - PASS (88)
FAR - PASS (58, 89)

Becker for all + FAR 10 Point Combo

[GoVPI]

This seems like a breeze compared to going to college and working in retail while doing accounting classes. I just graduated. I am not nearly as stressed and my life is a lot more calm. Luckily, the people in accounting understand you are fresh and new. They want to help you. cant tell you how many times at my job (private company) they told me, in about 5-10 years I'll fully see accounting, right now I'm just gathering bits and pieces. Deadlines are stressful but the pay is good and typically work Mon-Fri, I don't get a single call outside of work hours. I don't even think anyone knows my cell number besides the controller. Its just fabulous.

BEC 8/14/14 - Passed
Graduated from college 12/13/14
AUD 8/31/15 - 74. Retake - Passed
REG
FAR

[san4596]

Bobcat – the sad part is Skynet was being serious and truthful with his answer. I personally will be stocking up my liquor cabinet to handle tax season.

OP – working tax season is stressful, especially when you are working for an understaffed accounting firm and mounds of paperwork are pouring through your door to be completed. There will be clients coming in 2 days before or even the day of 4/15 expecting their return not be extended. You will have to eventually write in a professional manner drafting responses to IRS notices and explanations for amended returns. If you can make it through intermediate you should be fine, but the stress will be there.

CPA EXAM: DONE!!!!
Ethics Course: Passed
Application Mailed: 3/16/15
Professional Conduct Exam: 97
Certification Date: 4/2/15!!!

[KBinMN]

Yes, it's stressful. Especially considering the pay.

If you work in public accounting you can work about 60 hrs/week during busy season (more if you want).

There are lots of deadlines. I've gotten plenty of things that need to be done right now.

Then you have pushy clients or pushy bosses.

If you screw something up it directly effects people's money.

I have gotten calls outside of work hours. Bosses get these regularly.

On top of that you'll never know everything, there is too much out there to know. There are rules, exceptions and more rules for everything. If you don't deal with those rules regularly you forget them and have to go back and research them. And those rules change.

Also every project is different, they all have their little quirks.

[Anonymous]

Not really, especially comparing to brain surgeons or i don't know, fire fighters. What is there to stress about really? You screw things up – you just fix them

[Martin]

If you don't want a stressful job in Accounting, you should try to get into private accounting. If you are a staff,senior, or even Accounting manager, the first 6 months will be stressful as you are learning the system, and the way they do things. After the first 6 months, you will be doing the same thing over, and over, and over, and over, and over every month until you get promoted,or move to another company and then after 6 months, you continue to do things over, and over,and over. I would think directors and up might have it harder.

Through God all things can happen!

“You never fail until you stop trying.”
― Albert Einstein
When I was young, I used to admire intelligent people;as I grow older, I admire kind people.
“Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.”

FAR= 72-84
Audit= 73-82
BEC= 74-75
Reg=77

[Author]

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