What Do Accountants Actually Do?

What do accountants actually do?

A new podcast from ACCA is busting the myths that surround the profession

ACCA recently carried out research with GenZ students and non-students to explore what the next generation of professionals think about accountancy. When reviewing the results, it was clear the group had more questions than answers. What do accountants do? Don’t you need a maths degree to become qualified? Is it really boring? Will there be any jobs left after the rise of AI?

In response, ACCA recently launched a new podcast, called ‘By All Accounts…’, to lift the lid on the most common myths some might have fallen for about this fulfilling career path. The five-episode audio and video series is hosted by Maiki Lynch, our Qualification Education Liaison manager. She interviews ACCA members and students to discuss their real-life stories and unique journeys to that brought them to accountancy, from making impact at MercedesBenz, to four-day working weeks, and turning a craft beer passion into a career.

Each 20-minute episode focusses on a specific myth and features two guests alongside host Maiki.

Episode 1: Is accountancy boring?

In episode one, Maiki sits down with ACCA members Angelika Cyrulinska and Remi Allen-Bond to dig into their creative careers.

From making a real impact on big projects at Mercedes-Benz, to advising on innovative strategy at Santander, they give a glimpse into the range of exciting and dynamic ventures that accountants can get stuck into. Angelika shares where she got the accountancy bug as a school-leaver, and Remi describes the graduate programme that got his career going after finishing his degree.

Episode 2: Is there a work-life balance for accountants?

ACCA members Clara Tooth and Shaun Fenwick share what the lifestyle of an accountant is really like. From preparing for busy times of year to streamlined, time-saving work practices, they dig into the reality of balancing a career in finance with the rest of your life. They also explore the benefits that finding the right workplace can bring – from flexible and hybrid working policies, to free beer Fridays – while chatting through Clara and Shaun’s unique journeys into accountancy.

Episode 3: Do you need a maths degree?

Maiki is joined by ACCA members Kyle Simpson and Benjamin Kewin to get the real story on how much maths matters for a career in accountancy. From nearly failing maths class at school to finding the right support during exam season, we find out what it’s like to become an accountant when maths wasn’t your favourite subject. Ben and Kyle share their non-linear paths to ACCA membership – including dropping out of uni – and what they both find are the key skills required to make your career in accounting a success.

Episode 4: Is the training worth it?

ACCA student Ravi Tanna and PQ Magazine’s accountancy graduate of the year 2023, Xhulja Duka, give the low-down on the challenges many students face while studying for their accountancy exams. From needing to resit exams to knowing when you should take a break, they dig into the details of what can make this time tricky, and what can help take the edge off. Ravi and Xhulja discuss their experiences working as accountants during their studies, including why they recommend getting qualified as early in your career as you can.

Episode 5: Will AI take all the accountancy jobs?

In the final episode of the series, Maiki sits down with experts to discuss how artificial intelligence is changing the world of the accountancy.

Imtiaz Ahmad FCCA speaks about how different technologies have changed accounting, and the benefits of AI in his own practice. ACCA UK’s Head of Technology, Alistair Brisbourne, talks us through ACCA’s ‘AI in the Finance Profession’ report. It includes surveys on the concerns of current ACCA students and members and describes the ways in which he believes AI is going to affect the roles of accountants within organisations in the years to come.

Having launched worldwide last month, ‘By All Accounts…’ has already been downloaded by enough listeners to fill Wimbledon’s Centre Court almost seven times over. And with listeners from all continents, it’s clear that the misconceptions about the profession are international – but hopefully not for much longer.

All episodes of ‘By All Accounts…’ are available to listen on Spotify, Apple and other podcast networks or watch via ACCA’s YouTube channel. For more information visit www.accaglobal.com/byallaccounts

• Thanks to ACCA for this article