Accounting Isn’t Boring: Here’s How You Make Your CPA Career Exciting

Allow Me to Re-Introduce Myself

Hey everyone ?? For those that don’t know, I am Kendale King—CPA, CFO, husband, father, gamer, competitor, and someone who’s been lucky enough to blend his professional career with his personal passions. That’s what this article is about - How I have gone against the grain and created an Accounting career that is far from boring.

Why People Think Accounting is Boring (And Why They’re Wrong)

Let’s get real—Accounting and Accountants have earned a reputation for being dull. When most people think of Accountants, they picture spreadsheets and tax forms being put together by a man in a soul-sucking desk job. I refuse to limit myself in that way.

There’s a huge gap between what the public sees and what I experience daily. I get it—popular culture hasn’t done us any favors in that department. But this perception is outdated and it's up to us Accountants to update it.

The truth is, Accounting is so much more. We’re the backbone of business decisions, helping shape strategies for growth and success. Our function is dynamic, challenging, and filled with opportunities for creativity and problem-solving. So, why the disconnect? The gap between what Accounting really is and what people think it is comes from a lack of understanding of how crucial—and exciting—our role can be.

It frustrates me to see accounting dismissed as “boring” when I know it can be one of the most fulfilling careers around. Accounting, like many things in life, is what you make of it. For those of you sitting at your desks wondering, "Is this all there is?"—trust me, there’s more. I’ll prove it.

Accounting, for me, is about problem-solving, creativity, and making a tangible impact on the future. And it can all be done in a comfortable hoodie from a home office.

Dream Con: My Perfect Blend of Personal and Professional

When I joined Dream Con in 2021 to run Partnerships & Finance, it was a relatively low key event with lots of opportunities for growth. Since then, we’ve harnessed those opportunities to expand it in both size and scope. It is now one of the largest and fastest growing conventions of its kind in the country. Over 22,000 attendees this year. And next year? We’re going to be even bigger. Mark my words.

Dream Con has been the perfect way for me to build on both my professional and personal interests. I love anime and I am an avid gamer. So over the years I’ve been able to become an integral part of Dream Con’s DNA with big influences in programming, talent management, even the layout of the dang convention center!

As I mentioned before, I started with managing partnerships and finances. The “Money Man” parts of any convention. Fast forward to today, and I’ve been promoted to CFO. This would not have been possible without my personal and professional worlds colliding. I’m not just crunching numbers here; I’m actively helping shape the future of an entire community.

CPAcon: My Latest Venture

But I’m not stopping with Dream Con. Enter CPAcon —The FIRST conference where Accounting professionals can compete, learn, and have fun while earning that sweet sweet CPE. Think accounting is boring? Wait until you see the interactive accounting games we’ve got planned. These challenges have never been seen before and promise to test your skills in a fun way.

Last year, I watched the All-Star Game, the Oscars, the Super Bowl… So many examples of other industries bringing their best together to compete and celebrate their professions. That’s when it hit me: Why don’t accountants have something like this? Why don’t we get to show off our skills in a competitive setting? Why can’t CPE be engaging and fun? CPAcon is my answer to those questions.

My gaming background made this part easy. But I’ve worked countless hours to create a lineup that’s not only educational but also incredibly entertaining. CPAcon is the future of accounting conferences, and I can’t wait to see how the community reacts to it. Who knows…maybe one day we’ll launch a CPAcon board game too.

You’re Next: Bring Your Passion to Accounting

What I’ve done with Dream Con and CPAcon can be replicated by anyone in accounting. Even You. Opportunities for excitement in accounting aren’t hard to find—you just have to look for them. You don’t have to conform to what society says an Accountant should be.?

Think about what excites you in the world and bring that into your work. That could be diving head first into new technologies around AI or new fields like digital assets. It could mean becoming an expert in entertainment accounting and having a client roster of some of the most popular streamers around. There are so many paths to explore. I’ve been fortunate, but I’ve also paved my own way. You could, too.

Creating your own path in accounting is about breaking out of the mold. Want an example? Walter Diemer, an accountant by trade, invented bubble gum—how cool is that? Don’t limit yourself to just one thing. Push the boundaries of what an accountant can do. The accounting world is your oyster.

So, how would you like to blend your personal passions with your professional life? Let me know in the comments.?