The Unique Pros and Cons of Accounting: Is This Career Path Worthwhile?

This blog outlines what accountants do, compares public vs. private career paths, explains education and licensure basics (including Certified Public Accountant (CPA) timelines by state), highlights common specializations, and weighs balanced pros and cons—such as workload cycles, ethical considerations (see Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)), and technology changes— so you may assess whether it aligns with your interests and goals.

Many people look for roles with clear pathways. Accounting is one option to consider if you’re exploring an accounting career path.

While the field is sometimes perceived narrowly, some professionals report that they find accounting engaging and are satisfied with their choice. Because accounting may not be right for everyone, it helps to understand the role, the accounting career pros and cons, and the typical accounting career path before considering an accounting degree program.

Key Takeaways

• Learn the day-to-day responsibilities of accountants and where they work (public vs. private roles) within a typical accounting career path.
• See common education paths, state-based CPA licensure basics, and optional credentials Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), and Certified Management Accountant (CMA).
• Explore specializations and how skills transfer across industries.
• Weigh balanced pros and cons, including busy seasons, ethics, and technology shifts.
• Examines the question “Is it hard to be an accountant?” and outlines practical next steps

Pros and Cons of an Accounting Career

A quick, balanced view to help you gauge fit with your interests and work style.

Potential Advantages

• Structured pathways: Common entry routes and recognized credentials (e.g., CPA; state-specific rules via National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA)).
• Transferable skills: Analysis, reconciliation, and reporting apply across roles and industries.
• Role variety across sectors: Roles exist in public practice, corporate/industry, government, and nonprofit settings.
• Client and organizational impact: Many roles involve helping people and teams navigate financial rules and informing decisions.
• Entrepreneurship options: Some professionals open practices or consult; feasibility depends on licensure, experience, and market.
• Work-setting options: On-site, hybrid, some remote; mix varies by employer, role, and region.

Potential Trade-Offs

• Seasonal workload cycles: Reporting periods and tax season can compress deadlines and increase hours.
• Credentialing expectations: Senior roles may prefer/require licensure and continuing professional education.
• Sedentary nature: Many roles involve extended computer work; ergonomics and breaks help.
• Perception of routine: Enjoyment often hinges on role fit, problem types, and team culture.
• Ethical complexity: Standards (e.g., GAAP) and internal controls guide decisions; judgment remains critical.
• Evolving tools: Automation/AI can shift task mix; staying current with systems and standards is ongoing.

What Does an Accountant Do?

Accounting roles vary across industries and settings, but they center on financial records, reporting, and analysis.

Responsibilities may include:

• Examining financial statements for accuracy and compliance.
• Addressing tax matters, such as preparing returns or supporting audits.
• Completing close procedures, including reconciliations and journal entries.
• Analyzing performance metrics and benchmarks.
• Reporting findings to executives and offering data-driven insights.
• Improving processes that support accuracy and efficiency.
• Reviewing labor-market snapshots to understand role availability by region (see BLS – Accountants and Auditors).

Accounting Career Path

Within the accounting career path, professionals work in many contexts—from self-employment and small practices to large corporations and government agencies.

Some pursue leadership or specialized roles; others focus on steady, well-defined responsibilities that support work-life balance. Below are two common pathways.

Public Accounting

Public accountants typically serve multiple clients (individuals and organizations) through firms or independent practices.

Work can include tax preparation, audits, reviews, compilations, advisory, and other assurance services.

Private (Corporate) Accounting

Private accountants focus on one organization’s internal needs—such as financial reporting, cost analysis, budgeting, compliance, and forecasting.

They often collaborate across departments on planning, analysis, and controls.

Education, Licenses, and Certificates

At the entry level, some accounting support job postings do not specify formal education; minimum qualifications vary by employer and role. For accountant titles, postings often state a preference for a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field.

Career changers sometimes complete a post-baccalaureate accounting certificate to develop targeted skills.

Some accountants may become CPAs. CPA licensure is issued by individual U.S. states and typically involves specific academic coursework, verified experience, and passing the Uniform CPA Examination (four sections under the current model) within a state-defined rolling window (often 18–30 months, depending on the state). The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) discusses: What is the Uniform CPA Examination? and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) cover: CPA Exam Blueprints (what is tested). For state specifics, consult NASBA’s Boards of Accountancy Directory or verify licenses via CPAverify.

Accounting Specializations

Some professionals remain generalists; others pursue niche areas that may involve additional study or credentials:

• Forensic accounting: Focused on investigating potential fraud and financial irregularities; some pursue the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE).
• Internal auditing: Objective evaluation of internal controls and governance; some pursue the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA).
• Management accounting: Financial analysis for internal decision-making; some pursue the Certified Management Accountant (CMA).

Potential Benefits of Becoming an Accountant

• Well-defined pathways: The profession has relatively standardized entry points and credentials.
• Portable skillset: Analytical, quantitative, and reporting skills apply across many roles and sectors.
• Market awareness: Employment needs vary by region and role; reviewing current postings and reputable labor-market sources can help inform expectations.
• Client service impact: In many roles, accountants help individuals and organizations navigate financial rules and inform decisions.
• Entrepreneurship options: Some professionals open practices or consultancies, subject to licensure and market considerations.
• Industry versatility: Accountants work in healthcare, financial services, education, nonprofits, manufacturing, technology, government, and more.
• Personal financial literacy: Coursework often covers budgeting, record-keeping, and tax-readiness concepts that students may apply in daily life
• Intellectual engagement: The work can be rigorous and analytical, with continued learning as standards and tools evolve.
• Work setting variety: Roles exist in on-site, hybrid, and some remote contexts; some professionals pursue independent or consulting work.

Disadvantages of Being an Accountant

• Perceptions: Some view accounting as routine; enjoyment often depends on role fit and interests.
• Busy seasons and deadlines: Workloads can spike around reporting cycles and tax deadlines.
• Sedentary work: Some roles involve extended computer time; intentional breaks and ergonomic setups help.
• Credentials for senior roles: Some higher-level roles prefer or require licensure and/or graduate education.
• Challenging coursework: Programs may be rigorous and quantitatively oriented.
• Ethical considerations: Financial misconduct may occur in some settings; professionals rely on standards such as GAAP and internal controls.
• Technology change: Automation and AI tools continue to evolve; accountants may increasingly work alongside these systems.

Is It Hard to Be an Accountant?

It can be challenging, especially for those who prefer non-quantitative work.

Success typically involves comfort with numbers, attention to detail, professional ethics, and keeping up with changing standards and technology.

Accounting offers a range of roles—from client-facing public practice to internal corporate positions—and a mix of benefits and trade-offs.

If you are exploring study options, review program requirements, licensure considerations, and local job postings to align your plans with your goals.

Post University Program Information

If, after examining these accounting career pros and cons, you are interested in further study, Post University offers Associate Degree in Accounting and Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, a Post-Baccalaureate Accounting Certificate, and Online Master’s in Accounting. To learn more, contact the university or visit the program pages.

Licensure and Certification Disclosures

Post University Accounting degree programs are not designed to fulfill Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure requirements in an individual state; however, the programs may be used to partially fulfill licensure requirements. The programs are also not designed to fulfill Certified Management Accountant (CMA) certification requirements, although the programs may be used to partially fulfill these requirements (the other requirements can be found on the Institute of Management Accountants.

Post University Accounting degree programs are not designed to fulfill Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure requirements in an individual state, however, the programs may be used to partially fulfill licensure requirements. The programs are also not designed to fulfill Certified Management Accountant (CMA) certification requirements, although the programs may be used to partially fulfill these requirements (the other requirements can be found on the Institute of Management Accountants website: https://www.imanet.org/).

Post University assists in researching and providing information regarding licensure; however, each state has different requirements for such licensure outside of the required education. Such state requirements may include licensure exams, background checks, certain work experience, and more. It is ultimately the responsibility of each student to manage their own licensure process and to ensure that all requirements are met in order for the student to obtain licensure. Post University does not speak on behalf of any licensing board or body and does not guarantee licensure. Requirements for licensure are subject to change without notice. 

The following table shows whether Post University, with completion of the appropriate curriculum, does or does not fulfill the educational requirements for a specific license:

• Certified Public Accountant Disclosure by State

​

Thank you for reading! The purpose of this blog is to provide general information to the reader, and as such, this information may not directly relate to programs offered by Post University.

Please note jobs and/or career outcomes highlighted in this blog do not reflect jobs or career outcomes expected from enrolling in or graduating from any Post program.