Why does everyone want to be an accountant?

heartbreak_star

Seems like there's going to be a massive glut of newly-qualified accountants in the next few years

So what's the attraction? Why so many people going into accountancy all of a sudden?

HBS x

Mands

heartbreak_star wrote: »

Seems like there's going to be a massive glut of newly-qualified accountants in the next few years

It might seem like that 'cos Barrythespammer is resurrecting every accountancy-related post from the last five years.

So maybe there's lots of people become accountants or maybe it just feels like that with all the recent posts

cainkapow

maybe because all of the jobs have vanished so everyone is starting their own business.

getmore4less

Relatively easy money for smart people.

Attracts numerate people from less well paid sectors like engineering and science.

Law is similar.

Both have barriers to entry that keep renumerations high.

It has been going on for years

MissSarah1972

Pretty hard to get into if you have no actual experience.

heretolearn_2

I think people misunderstand the prospects for the majority of accountants.

There are a few that earn big money. Many that earn not a lot at all, especially at the start. Some never earn much.

I just advertised a just-over-minimum wage temp part-time job, no experience needed just good keyboarding skills. In 4 hours I've had over 20 applications from chartered accountants/accounting degree/high level accounts technicians. Willing to earn what they would at the supermarket checkouts.

On solicitors, people think they are raking it in but knowing a lot professionally, many partners in local firms these days are not earning half what you might imagine.

MissSarah1972

heretolearn wrote: »

I just advertised a just-over-minimum wage temp part-time job, no experience needed just good keyboarding skills. In 4 hours I've had over 20 applications from chartered accountants/accounting degree/high level accounts technicians. Willing to earn what they would at the supermarket checkouts.

.

Maybe they have no job and are struggling? I too also apply for junior roles and NMW ones.

heretolearn_2

yes, but the point is that there aren't enough jobs of a level more appropriate for them. There seems to be a massive glut of qualified accountants and 1000s more are being churned out each year with little realistic chance of getting a good job.

So if I knew anyone planning to go into it because they feel it's an easy way to make money, as suggested above, rather than a burning desire to do that type of work, I'd advise them to think again.

MissSarah1972

heretolearn wrote: »

yes, but the point is that there aren't enough jobs of a level more appropriate for them. There seems to be a massive glut of qualified accountants and 1000s more are being churned out each year with little realistic chance of getting a good job.

So if I knew anyone planning to go into it because they feel it's an easy way to make money, as suggested above, rather than a burning desire to do that type of work, I'd advise them to think again.

Oh yes there is not point studying to be one when you have no experience. You need to start at the bottom and work up with the study along side.

lincroft1710

heartbreak_star wrote: »

Why so many people going into accountancy all of a sudden?

There is no longer any requirement for lion tamers.:rotfl::rotfl:

Savvy_Sue

In the past, I'd have answered the OP's title - with a smile - "do you know any poor accountants?"

but as heretolearn's post shows, the employment prospects are not so great these days.

I'd like to point out that I've known several accountants who weren't boring! So another of the old cliches bites the dust ...