A Rundown of Accounting and My Future Career

I’m a senior accounting major and have not always liked accounting. I knew I wanted to major in something easy and that paid a lot, but didn’t do much research on what possible career paths could be from accounting or how many different opportunities were available to me as a business major. I originally thought accounting was keeping track of business transactions or doing taxes and after my first accounting class I almost changed my major. Accounting was not as easy as I expected and that discouraged me. However, I survived all four years of college and can safely say I have a better understanding of what I want to do for the rest of my life.

I started off taking classes in college that taught me about software such as Quickbooks and SAP, managerial accounting (with an emphasis on manufacturing companies), financial accounting, auditing and most recently tax. My professors were very proactive in answering my questions and pushing me to get an internship to help narrow down what sector of accounting was right for me. What I didn’t initially realize was that there are SO many opportunities in accounting. Understanding the financial aspects of a business can get you a job literally anywhere you want. If I wanted to, I could work for the government, a private business, a public business, an accounting firm that works for both public and private businesses, etc. I could do personal and professional tax returns, audit the spending of a business, offer consulting services, do forensic accounting and work for the CIA, the possibilities are many. Not to mention most accounting jobs pay very well.

Last summer I interned for a medium-sized accounting firm called Rea and Associates. I did tax work, audit work and even payroll for a variety of companies. I even got to tag along to a visit with a client! Currently I’m interning at that same accounting firm, but in a different location. I’m doing mostly tax work because it’s busy season. I accepted a full-time job at the same accounting firm starting in the summer. I am one of the lucky ones in finding a firm that I thrived at during my very first internship.

What I’ve learned from being an accounting major so far is to take every opportunity given to you. In doing this, I have signed up to go to Germany in the spring, plan to go to Pittsburgh with the accounting service fraternity at ONU for a presentation on NIL tax implications, made some lifelong friends in the industry and made great memories (like going to a Guardians game, TopGolf and eating at many restaurants in the Cleveland area). I’ve grown in my presentation skills and learned to never be afraid of asking too many questions. Those that are more experienced than you in your field will be your greatest resources. I plan to try and take as many opportunities in different sectors of accounting as possible!