Is accounting a career of the future?

In today’s changing society, no job is futureproof.  With robotic technology, automation and self service becoming more and more commonplace, there are job roles that exist today that probably won’t in the future. That said, reports indicate that professional accounting will remain very much in demand in years to come.

After all, whilst automation is great for improving efficiency and profitability, it can’t replace the human touch. The application of tax law is often open to, and benefits from, personal interpretation. Business owners are more likely to trust a personal opinion than an automated process. Therefore, studying an accounting course is a step towards putting you in a trusted adviser position.

The impact of Brexit

The future of Brexit is still steeped in uncertainty. Organisations will need advice around possible implications on import, export, suppliers and overall business strategy. There will also be an impact on every day accounting processes. For example, HMRC announced they’re hiring 3,000 extra staff to handle Brexit preparations. While many of these staff are likely to be customer service or administration staff, it’s indicative of the impact the government is expecting the landmark process to have.

Accounting career prospects

The Independent newspaper reports accountancy as being one of the top 10 jobs with the best graduate career prospects.
In the short to medium term, the introduction of Making Tax Digital (MTD) will have an impact on business owners and their accountants alike.  The new way of working is designed to make it easier for individuals and businesses to get their tax right and keep on top of their affairs, but there will obviously be a transition period as businesses get used to the new way of working, during which time they may need support from their accountants.
This shows that accountancy is an evolving discipline. As society changes and becomes more and more reliant on IT, so accountancy will change as well. Rather than look at this as a threat, future accountants will see an opportunity. You could be part of the future, by enrolling on an accounting course with Open Study College.
There are accounting career opportunities in all sizes of organisations, from small SMEs through to large global enterprises. You can also choose a sector to suit your personal preferences. From retail, through to hospitality, manufacturing and services, all types of organisations have accountancy needs. You could even become a freelance accountant and work for yourself; choosing a range of clients in different businesses.

Where to start?

We offer accounting courses at all levels - from beginner through to more advanced; accredited by national and international professional bodies. We work with The Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT), Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB), Institute of Accountants and Bookkeepers (IAB), and global accounting software company Sage. We also offer chartered accountancy professional qualifications from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).
Want to know more about studying with Open Study College? Find out how it works here.
Browse the full list of accounting courses on our website.

Prefer to speak to someone?

Call our team of student advisers on 03300 563100 – they’ll be happy to chat through your options and help you on the first or next step to your future in accountancy.