As an accountant, you will have a useful, valuable skill set that can allow you to freelance or work as part of a company's team. Depending on the type of accountant you want to be, you can attend a trade school, earn your bachelor's degree in accounting, or even pursue a master's degree. Accounting school is an educational opportunity designed specifically for future accountants. Here are four things you'll have the opportunity to learn when you are in accounting school.
1. Math Skills
If you don't remember your math courses from high school or college, don't worry. In accounting school, you will take courses in all the basic branches of math. Accounting students typically learn algebra, statistics, and calculus. Each math class builds on the courses you've already taken. You'll never find yourself thrown into the deep end of a subject you don't understand. By the time you take more advanced math classes, you will already have all the skills you need to succeed.
2. Communication Skills
As an accountant, you will need to communicate effectively with your clients. You'll need to get relevant information from them and give them advice that will help them make the best financial decisions. Business communication is different from the type of communication you probably engage in every day. As an accountant, there is a certain level of professionalism that you will be expected to maintain. In accounting school, you will learn the specific communication skills that will be required of you in your new career.
3. Economics
Economics is the study of the way money is distributed. Knowledge of economics is important because it can help you give good financial advice. You will learn the basics of economics in accounting school since money and its distribution is highly relevant to your future profession.
4. Business Law
As an accountant, you'll have to make sure your clients comply with all applicable laws. This is especially important when you're helping people prepare their taxes. If your client is audited, you want to ensure they will not be penalized for mistakes that you've made. A solid foundation in business law will help you keep your clients in good legal standing.
A career as an accountant can allow you to help small business owners and private citizens alike. People who enjoy math often find accounting to be a rewarding career that allows them to lean into their strengths. When you're ready to choose your career path, an accounting school can get you started off on the right foot.
Is there something you always wished you had learned how to do in school? Maybe you wish your high school would have had swimming classes so you could have learned to swim properly. Or perhaps you're not a confident driver, and you wish you would have taken driver's education classes. Here's the good news: classes like this are available for adults, too. You can learn almost any skill or topic in an adult education setting. A good place to start is on this blog, where we share content on all sorts of education-related topics to help adults like you improve your knowledge.