Over the last few years there have been many articles with titles like Accounting Is More Popular Than Ever. That's because accounting is more popular than ever, in terms of student enrollments and degrees awarded.
I don't think I've seen a better or more succinct explanation for this resurgence than that offered
by Marc Rosenberg, CPA, in a new article. After discussing the state of the accounting industry, he opines that "careers for CPAs are once again hot for many reasons:
- Accounting has always been a stable career, even during a recession.
- Earnings for CPAs have always been near the top of the pay scale compared to other jobs. This applies to entry-level jobs ($45,000-$60,000), experienced staff positions ($80,000-$150,000) and the ownership ranks (national average of partner earnings is $369,000). All of these positions are higher paid than 95 percent of other jobs.
- Contrary to the stereotype, the career of a CPA is far from boring. When the U.S. was asking CPA firms to prevent another Enron or WorldCom failure, young people paid attention. When, as I predict, CPA firms play a key role as the government's watchdog over TARP and bailout money, young people will again take notice and become increasingly interested in accounting as a career.
- With thousands of baby-boomer partners in pre-retirement mode, opportunities for young people to rapidly become owners of firms are terrific.
- Emphasis placed on work-life balance at most firms has dulled the ages-old (and richly deserved) perception that working at a CPA firm is like a sweatshop.
- There are tremendous opportunities for women and minorities, both of whom are woefully under-represented in the partner ranks at firms across the country."
Those are 6 very good reasons, I'd say. Which one, or ones, influenced your decision to consider
becoming a CPA?
Comments