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Study show that people think that data analysts and accountants are boring

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Re: Study show that people think that data analysts and accountants are boring

#61

Post by nwatson »

toyg wrote: post #40
jqpabc123 wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

a higher barrier to entry to become even a "junior" accountant I couldn't help chuckle at this one. When I was in college, engineering was known as "pre-accounting" --- those who couldn't handle the math went into accounting. This is not to say accountants aren't nice people but the math involved is what my engineering professors disparaging referred to as "kindergarten" algebra so the barrier to entry is really not…

I think there is a bit of confusion between topics here. Software Engineering as an academic topic can be very difficult; as a career, because of various factors over the last 30 years, it's anything but. Accounting as an academic topic is fundamentally very simple (it's mostly about giving precise names to money movements); as a career, because of rigorous qualification paths in most countries, it's anything but.

Aren't there accounting disciplines that are all about navigating laws and regulations to find advantageous loopholes, legal or not, by which to maximize customers' profit with least risk, aka, creative-accounting? And its counterpart, forensic-accounting? I'd imagine that virus/antivirus battle would be very interesting and difficult.

Re: Study show that people think that data analysts and accountants are boring

#62

Post by jqpabc123 »

LudwigNagasena wrote: post #55
jqpabc123 wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ie legally they have to have certain qualifications in order to do their job. No, they don't. Only about half the accountants in the USA are licensed CPAs. And you don't need a college degree to become one in many states.

Surely a degree is a qualification…

Nope.

https://www.ais-cpa.com/cpa-exam-requirements/

Re: Study show that people think that data analysts and accountants are boring

#63

Post by frankbreetz »

llampx wrote: post #12

What people think is extremely influenced by pop culture. Programming was boring, coding is cool. Investing is boring, VC is cool. Being a lawyer was boring, being a lawyer is cool.

This comment reminds me of how the Simpsons potentially influence public opinion on nuclear power being unsafe.

Re: Study show that people think that data analysts and accountants are boring

#64

Post by toyg »

jqpabc123 wrote: post #60
toyg wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think there is a bit of confusion between topics here. Software Engineering as an academic topic can be very difficult; as a career, because of various factors over the last 30 years, it's anything but. Accounting as an academic topic is fundamentally very simple (it's mostly about giving precise names to money movements); as a career, because of rigorous qualification paths in most countries, it's anything but.

because of rigorous qualification paths in most countries, it's anything but. LOL! Here is are the requirements to take a CPA exam in the USA. US Citizen, 18 years old with a valid SSN 120 hrs of college credit or a bachelor's degree. Note that your 120 hrs doesn't have to be in accounting. These "rigorous qualifications" are about one step above the manager at your local fast food restaurant. https://www.ais-cpa.com…

My view might be skewed - in the UK there are stricter requirements and several exams, and the same in Italy.

Re: Study show that people think that data analysts and accountants are boring

#65

Post by toyg »

nwatson wrote: post #61
toyg wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think there is a bit of confusion between topics here. Software Engineering as an academic topic can be very difficult; as a career, because of various factors over the last 30 years, it's anything but. Accounting as an academic topic is fundamentally very simple (it's mostly about giving precise names to money movements); as a career, because of rigorous qualification paths in most countries, it's anything but.

Aren't there accounting disciplines that are all about navigating laws and regulations to find advantageous loopholes, legal or not, by which to maximize customers' profit with least risk, aka, creative-accounting? And its counterpart, forensic-accounting? I'd imagine that virus/antivirus battle would be very interesting and difficult.

Accounting practice of any type requires skill, I'm not denying that. I'm just saying that it's conceptually less complicated than dealing with physics or advanced mathematics.

Re: Study show that people think that data analysts and accountants are boring

#66

Post by Havoc »

As an accountant - Not surprised. Part of the issue is that you’d spend 8 hours a day doing stuff that is quite arcane and the average person has literally no reference point that would make it relatable.

eg I mostly do large private equity stuff - mostly offshore. Confidentiality aside the average person has zero chance of following any sort of cross jurisdiction finance stuff. Or worse they read some clickbait write up on Panama paper or whatever by a journalist that also doesn’t know anything about the topic aside from outrage sells newspapers.

So I mostly just don’t say anything. Add 8 hours of sleep and you don’t have many hours of interesting left

Re: Study show that people think that data analysts and accountants are boring

#67

Post by jqpabc123 »

ss108 wrote: post #54
jqpabc123 wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Just like a lot of other professions --- only easier. Try passing a legal bar exam or becoming a licensed engineer.

I have passed the bar exam actually lol Can't say whether or not it's easier than an exams to become an accountant. Bear in mind though that one needs to keep taking exams to maintain CPA status, whereas in law, we have no such requirement. Just have to keep doing (usually bullshit) CLEs. In any event, any kind of licensure is more than we have to become devs, which I think is the main point. edit: I see your point i…

Bear in mind though that one needs to keep taking exams to maintain CPA status

Nope, not in the USA.

Most states have "continuing education" reporting requirements which can be self study in many cases. Take an approved on-line class every 2 years and you're good in most states.

Also bear in mind that most accountants (at least in the USA) don't have any license or certification. Try practicing law like that.

Re: Study show that people think that data analysts and accountants are boring

#68

Post by ss108 »

jqpabc123 wrote: post #67
ss108 wrote: post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have passed the bar exam actually lol Can't say whether or not it's easier than an exams to become an accountant. Bear in mind though that one needs to keep taking exams to maintain CPA status, whereas in law, we have no such requirement. Just have to keep doing (usually bullshit) CLEs. In any event, any kind of licensure is more than we have to become devs, which I think is the main point. edit: I see your point i…

Bear in mind though that one needs to keep taking exams to maintain CPA status Nope, not in the USA. Most states have "continuing education" reporting requirements which can be self study in many cases. Take an approved on-line class every 2 years and you're good in most states. Also bear in mind that most accountants (at least in the USA) don't have any license or certification. Try practicing law like that.

I know of a couple CPAs who have mentioned the need to study for some test to maintain their credentials. What is it that they may have been referring to?

Re: Study show that people think that data analysts and accountants are boring

#70

Post by jqpabc123 »

ss108 wrote: post #68
jqpabc123 wrote: post #67

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Bear in mind though that one needs to keep taking exams to maintain CPA status Nope, not in the USA. Most states have "continuing education" reporting requirements which can be self study in many cases. Take an approved on-line class every 2 years and you're good in most states. Also bear in mind that most accountants (at least in the USA) don't have any license or certification. Try practicing law like that.

I know of a couple CPAs who have mentioned the need to study for some test to maintain their credentials. What is it that they may have been referring to?

CPE (Continuing Professional Education).

Total BS to show you're still involved and interested in accounting. The idea behind the requirement is to keep accountants up to date on new tax laws.

As I said above, report your results (pass/fail) from an on-line class once every 2 years and you're good in most states. A lot of states will accept self study. This is nothing like the CPA test.

Note: I have a CPA in my extended family.

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