Championing CPAs: What Accounting Can Do For You

The accounting profession is incredibly important, interesting and fun. And it is on us as Certified Public Accountants (CPA) to champion our profession and be more intentional in telling this story. As the business landscape has changed and the list of stakeholders has grown, so have accountants’ roles. We can help meet companies’ emerging and changing needs to deliver trust and transparency more than ever before.?

The relevance of our profession is growing – and while the accounting workforce is projected to grow by 4% from 2022-2032, it may not be enough. Across the industry we’re seeing companies begin to expand their talent pool to non-accounting graduates and challenge themselves to think differently. But I also believe there is a role each of us can play across the profession to make a difference in increasing the pipeline of CPA candidates.?

Beyond the financial statements — why our profession matters

As CPAs, our responsibility is to the public. Accounting is the foundation of business. We play many important roles. We help provide confidence and strengthen financial systems with quality and independent audits, provide tax knowledge and advice, and inform business strategies to help drive growth and value. Simply, we build trust in the information that drives the capital markets.

We have an important responsibility that is not always easily understood. We support business, stakeholders, leaders and the broader markets — and help individual businesses grow and better serve their customers (AKA you).

We make it possible for businesses to thrive, innovate and embrace technology. And through it all, we can help businesses earn trust too.

Beyond the obvious career path — opportunities for CPAs

The opportunities within accounting are so much more than meets the eye. They are endless. It goes beyond number crunching and financial statements. As a CPA, you become well-versed in?business and develop transferable skills that are in demand within our profession and others. There are skills in leadership, digital acumen, critical thinking, technology and so much more. The technical and interpersonal skills developed in accounting can help you explore many jobs within one career. You also get to work across different industries and learn about different business models. You can personalize your path. Where I sit, being a CPA provides the most effective training in business.

Within PwC, professionals have the opportunity to take their career in many different directions. There is so much to choose from. In addition to audit and tax, there are emerging areas like AI, climate and cybersecurity. Reflecting on my own career, I started working with asset management firms. Later, I followed my interests and transitioned to banking. I loved it. And there are so many other industries and sectors to choose from as well — insurance, retail, health, pharmaceutical and more.

Being a CPA doesn’t mean you have to stay an accountant forever (although you can!). It is a credential that can follow you throughout your career. Having a CPA is always in demand, so even if you decide to try something different for a while… you can come back. With a CPA, you can have higher earning potential, job security and flexibility throughout your career. It opens the door for countless opportunities. Maybe it will be working at a professional services firm, becoming a CEO or CFO, being a controller or serving on a board. You can even pursue careers entirely outside of the profession with an incredibly strong foundation — think entrepreneur, lawyer or even Chief Strategy Officer.

Evolving our profession to meet demand

Like business, our profession is constantly changing. We are adapting to the needs of our clients, stakeholders and people. We stay current with the times. Technology is the perfect example. Computers revolutionized how we work. And now we’re using AI to change how we work. It is helping us deliver a better experience for our clients and our people. We have come so far. When I first started in my career, we had one computer in what we called the “bullpen.” Can you imagine going anywhere without your laptop or cell phone now?

Everything we do impacts our ability to attract and retain talent. So as a firm, we are actively taking steps to drive interest in the profession and opportunities for new talent. Accounting can be such a rewarding career, and it’s important for our business and economic environment. We want others to see why too. By working together — as professional services firms, businesses, universities and more — we can increase understanding and pride in our profession.

As industry leaders, let’s be vocal about our careers and the important role we play in business. I certainly am — and I’m grateful for the amazing opportunities a CPA has provided me. Now, we need to engage a new generation of accountants and CPAs, and we can do just that by telling our story and talking about all the opportunities ahead.?