r/Accountant

I have a bachelors in marketing but havent been able to get any entry level roles in it. Is an associates for accounting sufficient or is more education required?

I am officially starting my masters in 1 month, but I am seriously reconsidering since you no longer need it and it’s a lot of excess work.

My main question is does a masters degree hold any weight? Does not having one hinder you from getting anywhere? I know you need a CPA to get to a manager level in public accounting but are there any other credentials or degrees that are needed to go higher up. I highly doubt I would come back to do the MAcc but curious what people working think.

Plan 1: get masters and do CPA exams simultaneously somehow

Plan 2: get a part time job and do CPA tests and not feel so overwhelmed

I have free tuition through military benefits, but I still pay rent and all my other expenses. My biggest decision is whether the networking and education benefits of staying in school are worth it, or if I should focus on finishing my CPA exams faster while working part-time and saving money. I’m leaning toward the master’s because the CPA requirements are so convoluted, especially in California, that it seems like the safer but unnecessarily difficult option.

I’m looking for a good online community for accounting firm owners.

Any communities you’ve actually found useful?

I’ve watched videos from “Bookkeeping with Jake Demi” and I’ve really considered starting a bookkeeping business in the future. I have a couple of questions I hope someone can answer.

1. How close are accounting in bookkeeping. If I get an accounting degree will this help a lot?

2. How many years of experience would you prefer someone have before they start?

This might just be me being ambitious but I’m in my sophomore year of college for accounting thinking of starting a bookkeeping business in the future. All inquiries will be helpful!

I am a sole trader decorator - can I pay other sole trader decorators or general maintenance to give me a hand and they then log their own tax return?

Also - can a sole trader stay self employed if they only ever help another decorator on and off?

If it’s only in clients homes/domestic etc I don’t need to be cis? Never do building sites or construction.

Paye wouldn’t work as the work wouldn’t be frequent enough or guaranteed.

Frequency would be an odd month here and there if I take on a bigger job.

So many of my clients have told me this day in about day out and truly I lived it some extent considering how much false information o see why bad advice.. what are you using to stand out.. I have had over 1000 people on the last 7 years say I am the best they have ever had!! Want your opinions.

I have a tax question.

My stepdad inherited a piece of land (9ac raw, now building, planted pines) when his father died in ‘21. He was later diagnosed with cancer and before passing, signed the deed over to me, my mom, and my sister in ‘24. We just sold the property this past week and I’m trying to see what percentage I should withhold for tax reserve.

My mom called her accountant and was told we don’t owe any taxes?? I feel like thats incorrect. Any input?

* I am aware that none of you represent me and are not giving me concrete legal/financial advise*

Accounting professionals: I’d love your perspective on client acquisition, marketing & AI for student research

Hi everyone! I’m posting on behalf of a high school student who is conducting a research project through Hinksey Labs.

The research explores how AI-powered business automation can help accounting firms strengthen their growth and competitive positioning, particularly through client acquisition, marketing, and brand building.

As part of the research, they’re hoping to hear directly from accountants, CPAs, firm owners, and other accounting professionals about their real-world experiences. If you’re willing to share, your perspective on any of the following questions would be greatly appreciated:

1. What are the biggest challenges your accounting firm faces when it comes to acquiring new clients and growing the business?
2. How does your firm currently attract new clients and build awareness of its brand?
3. What role, if any, do marketing, social media, referrals, or other business-development strategies play in your firm’s growth?
4. Do you currently use AI or automation in your marketing, client acquisition, or business-development processes? If so, how?
5. What would make your firm more likely to work with an outside company that helps accounting firms improve their marketing, brand presence, and client acquisition?
6. If you could improve one part of your firm’s client acquisition or marketing process, what would it be?

Even brief answers would be incredibly helpful, and there’s no need to answer every question. If possible, responses within the next 1–2 days would be especially appreciated due to the research timeline.

If you’d prefer to discuss these questions through a short call or meeting, please feel free to comment or send me a DM.

If you choose to respond by DM, please include your name, job title/role, the accounting firm you work for, and any other relevant professional background you’re comfortable sharing, so the responses can be accurately attributed in the research. If you’re comfortable being quoted by name, please let us know; otherwise, responses can be quoted anonymously.

Thank you to anyone willing to share your experience! Your insights will be incredibly valuable in helping with this research and better understanding the challenges and opportunities facing accounting firms today.

How many hours a week do you guys work leading up to the extension deadline?

How many hours a week do you guys work outside of busy season?

Hi! I'm in Hong Kong rn and I'm visiting my Father in law, was wondering for a thoughtful and feasible gift (not too fancy and niche) to buy for him as he's an accountant. Thank you.

My last CPA was an asshole and quit. He amended my 2021 returns which I was supposed to get a good refund for but because he quit in May they now want me to pay $1,900. I also have to pay my 2025 taxes with the extension til October. Can someone please help assist with this? The amendment and what the IRS needed for 2021 is still in place so I’m sure it won’t be much work aside for 2025. Thank you.🙏

I've been thinking about this after seeing some recent numbers around accounting firms using offshore teams.

A large percentage of firms are outsourcing or offshoring at least some part of their accounting and tax work. But I don't think the interesting question is simply:

“Are firms outsourcing?”

It seems like the bigger question is why they're doing it.

For some firms, it may be about reducing costs.

For others, it's about getting through busy season without overloading their existing team.

Some may outsource bookkeeping, payroll, AP/AR or tax preparation, while keeping client relationships, review and advisory work in-house.

And then there are firms that go a step further and build a dedicated offshore team that becomes an extension of their internal team.

So I’m curious how other accounting and CPA firm owners look at this.

What does outsourcing mean for your firm?

Do you see it as:

- A temporary solution during busy season?

- A way to access specialized talent?

- A cost-management strategy?

- A way to increase capacity?

- A long-term part of your firm's operating model?

- Or something you simply don't believe works well for accounting?

And if you have outsourced before, what has been the biggest challenge — quality, communication, security, training, managing the team, or finding the right provider?

I'd genuinely like to hear experiences from both sides.

What are your thoughts on Outsourcing to India, Phhilipines or other countries?

I’m trying to decide whether I should continue with the Canadian CPA route and write the CFE, or switch to the US CPA exams.

I have my CFE coming up in about a month. I don’t feel particularly confident right now, but I think there’s still a small chance I could pass based on how the exam is marked and my current understanding of the material. I’m trying to figure out whether it’s worth pushing through or whether I’d be better off going the US CPA route instead.

Is the US CPA really that much easier than the Canadian CFE, as people say?

Some background:
I have a US green card and am moving to the US permanently after writing the CFE if I choose that route
I don’t plan on working in accounting after planning on running my family’s business instead so not in a rush to get the qualifications

I’m in my senior year — large, well-known state school (nothing fancy or hard to get into, but it’s large enough that everyone knows it)

I started as a Business major and later on added an Accounting minor. I enjoy accounting, so I’m even taking extra classes that aren’t part of my degree (but are part of the BS, Acct degree).

My academic advisor said it’ll take an additional year (2 semesters) for me to graduate with an accounting degree. They have also said another option is to finish the Business degree and then complete a post-bac certificate or even a MAcc to finish getting all of the accounting credits for CPA eligibility (I will only need about 6 credits).

For additional context, I also work full time as a staff accountant for a small local CPA firm and am almost a year in.

If my goal is to have a successful career in public, maybe eventually move to industry, should I take the extra time (and spend the extra money) getting the accounting degree or will it not matter as long as I get the CPA?

Also, my goal isn’t necessarily to go into Big 4, but moving to a large local or national firm is definitely something I’m interested in.

Thanks in advance!

Hey guys,

I graduated last month with a B.S. in Accounting, but I've been applying like crazy with very little luck. I'm based in Baltimore, MD, and while I know it's impossible to apply to literally everything, I'm starting to feel like I'm running out of places to look.

I've been applying for Staff Accountant, General Accounting, Corporate Accounting, Government Accounting and other entry-level accounting roles. I'm especially interested in tax, so I've also applied for entry-level tax positions at public accounting firms, but I haven't had much luck there either.

Unfortunately, I didn't take internships seriously enough earlier in college and didn't start aggressively applying for them until toward the end. I know that was a big mistake on my part, and I've already been passed over for several internships.

I've also applied through Robert Half and LHH for entry-level accounting positions without much success. At this point, I'm not really sure where else I should be looking.

I have the 150 credit hours for the CPA and plan to begin studying for the exams. In the meantime, I'm considering working at H&R Block for the upcoming tax season just to stop the bleeding financially since I'm currently unemployed. I know the pay isn't great, though, so I'd definitely prefer to land a full-time Staff Accountant, Tax Associate, or similar entry-level accounting position if possible.

Is anyone here in the Baltimore/Maryland area who could point me in the right direction? Maybe companies or firms that are actually willing to hire and train new accounting graduates without prior accounting internships?

I usually network and search through LinkedIn, but I figured Reddit might be worth a shot too. Any advice, leads, or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

https://preview.redd.it/hsjjxg8w05jh1.png?width=641&format=png&auto=webp&s=e8a7fb7775e92cd1f91d5738107875716ad35d19

Hello, I am in audit for last 4 years and thinking of switching to accounting advisory. I am genuinely interested in audit but it comes with lot of requirements, like independence, long work hours and I feel the pay is not justified for the amount of work that we put. So, I am thinking of switching to accounting advisory so I can get some work-life balance.

I would like to understand your experience of moving from audit to consulting. Did you ever feel it was a mistake and wanted to go back to audit or feel you did the right thing? And can you also explain how different is consulting different from audit and accounting. I did accounting job before and it's too boring for me. How is pay vs work-life balance in consulting compared to audit. Please clarify, thank you!

My company is hiring 100% onsite from staff-manager in the following locations:
Albuquerque
Andover
Atlanta
Bellevue
Century city
Charlotte
Dallas
Denver
Green Bay
King of Prussia
Livingston
Maumee
Milwaukee
Minneapolis
Nashville
Oak brook
Orlando
Pittsburgh
Quincy
Sheboygan
St. Louis
Tempe
West Hartford

100% onsite!!!! Must have passed at least one exam, scheduled or passed all. Let’s help each other out!

Hi everyone,
I’m looking for some honest career advice because I feel a little stuck about what I should do next.
I’m 34 and living in Toronto. My career path has been a bit complicated because I moved between countries and had to take different jobs along the way.
My background:
I studied accounting/finance and worked in accounting in Syria for around 3 years.
After moving to Lebanon, I couldn’t continue on the same accounting path, so I worked as a store manager until I eventually moved to Canada.
After arriving in Canada, I completed a Banking & Financial Services diploma because I thought banking might be a good career direction for me.
After completing it, I realized that banking didn’t really feel like the right fit.
I then decided to return to accounting and payroll and spent about a year studying/upgrading my accounting and payroll knowledge.
During my time in Canada, I have also been working as a security guard for about 3 years to support myself.
Right now, I’m doing an accounting/payroll internship at a tax firm, where I’m trying to get Canadian experience and improve practical skills, especially QuickBooks, bookkeeping, reconciliations, payroll and accounting administration.
The problem is that I’m starting to feel tired and stuck.
I’ve studied, changed career direction, worked security to pay my bills, and now I’m doing an internship to get Canadian accounting experience. But the Toronto job market seems difficult, especially when so many entry-level jobs ask for Canadian experience.
My questions:
Based on my background, what should my next career step be?
What accounting positions should I realistically target now?
What skills should I focus on to become more employable?
Should I focus on getting an accounting job first, or start pursuing CPA?
If you were in my situation, what would you do over the next 6–12 months?
I’m willing to work and learn. I’m just tired of going from one program to another without knowing whether I’m moving in the right direction.
Thank you.