#Beancounter cpa exam advice professional#

The results show that accounting outranks only medicine and is statistically equivalent to engineering and law. The models predict accounting involves more information processing than any of the other three professions. The models are also misaligned with practice when considering involvement in information processing and nonpersonal tasks. The results, however, show that only engineering outranks accounting in this area and that accounting once again does not differ significantly from law and medicine. The models also predict that accounting practitioners are less adept at analytical thinking than those in the other three professions. These results suggest that accounting fits in well with the benchmark professions in terms of the extent to which practitioners will have to interact and communicate effectively with others. The results reveal no significant differences in this area across the four professions of interest therefore, none of the three specific predictions hold up against “real world” data. Specifically, the models predict accounting will involve less communicating and interacting than medicine and law but more than engineering. In one of the accounting profession’s most often misunderstood areas-communicating and interacting with others-the models perform worse than elsewhere. An analysis of where some of the leading models line up may assist those involved in recruitment efforts in targeting their approaches more effectively. The results revealed that less than one-half of the predictions hold true, suggesting that challenges still lie ahead as the profession endeavors to bring perceptions more in line with reality. The O*NET, which offers current practitioner-based data on a large number of professions, provided a way to test those predictions. The areas examined are communicating and interacting, analytical thinking, information processing, involvement in nonpersonal tasks, adaptability, social orientation, interpersonal conflict, and helping people. The study makes predictions about accounting as compared to law, engineering, and medicine based on career models used at many universities to guide students in their career choices. Scarlata, 2021, “Is Career Guidance Sending the Right Message about Accounting Work? Comparing Accounting with Competing Professions,” Accounting Education, ). Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration-sponsored Occupational Information Network (O*NET), a recent academic study published by the authors examined these questions (Clement C.

Considering that the goal is for new entrants into accounting to possess these skills, yet the stereotype held by many is the polar opposite, where does the profession stand among its competitors? How large is the gap between the perception of accounting and the reality, and what can be done to decrease it? In addition, the AICPA Pre-certification Core Competency Framework defines competencies that are needed by future CPAs these include decision-making, communication, and collaboration. This site lists four skills students might not realize are needed for success as a CPA: strong leadership, communication skills, tech know-how, and creative problem-solving skills. The AICPA website,, provides information for high school students to explore accounting as a potential profession.

#Beancounter cpa exam advice professional#

The AICPA, along with state CPA societies and accounting educators, has long fought to achieve a more accurate perception to help the profession successfully compete with other professional areas-including law, medicine, and engineering-in recruiting qualified entrants.

Current accounting work, however, has evolved a great deal since the inception of these models, potentially signifying a mismatch between the perception of accounting work and the true nature of the profession.Īlthough accounting is recognized as a trusted and respected profession, it is understood within the field that others primarily view it as a path that those with social or creative preferences should avoid. In addition, many students research their career choices using online career platforms, such as MyACT, that are based on the long-standing occupational models of John Holland and Dale Prediger.

High school guidance counselors and college career advisors do not always fully understand the accounting field and may advise talented students to choose alternative careers. High school accounting and introductory college accounting classes often focus mainly on bookkeeping, leaving students with the impression that this is all accounting entails. Popular culture frequently portrays accounting in a negative light, reinforcing the “bean counter” stereotype. Potential entrants to the accounting profession get their perceptions of accounting from a variety of sources.