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Accounting

Why Do Accountants Love Their Jobs?

The top reasons survey respondents originally chose to pursue an accounting career is the nature of the work and job duties (45 percent), the positive employment outlook (21 percent) and the variety of career paths within the field (20 percent).

Nov. 03, 2015

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If you were given the opportunity to go back in time and change your career, would you? According to a recent Accountemps survey, nearly seven in 10 accounting and finance workers would choose to stay put. Accountants feel this way despite the many misconceptions about the profession – the most objectionable being that they’re bean counters, they only do taxes and the job is boring, according to those polled.

The top reasons survey respondents originally chose to pursue an accounting career is the nature of the work and job duties (45 percent), the positive employment outlook (21 percent) and the variety of career paths within the field (20 percent). The survey findings come in advance of International Accounting Day (November 10), when many organizations honor the accounting profession.

Did You Know?

  • Mick Jagger may be known for his musical achievements and stage acrobatics, but did you know he could also rock a spreadsheet?
  • The FBI employs more than 2,000 accounting special agents, a boon for those accountants who yearn to use their mad math skills to solve crimes.

View a slideshow of the survey findings and more surprising facts about the accounting profession.

“It’s an exciting time to be an accountant,” said Bill Driscoll, a district president of Accountemps. “No company can survive without an adept accounting team. Accounting professionals today have more influence on business decisions. Their expertise is frequently sought to analyze financial data, identify ways to reduce costs and grow revenue, and make recommendations that impact the entire organization.”

According to the 2016 Robert Half Salary Guide for Accounting and Finance, starting salaries in the accounting profession are expected to increase 4.7 percent in the year ahead. “Accounting salary increases reflect the rising demand for accountants and their growing influence within organizations,” added Driscoll.