Accounting Might Be One of the Most Versatile Careers You Can Have After College

If you’ve ever uttered the phrase “I’m bad at math,” chances are you haven’t considered accounting as a career path. But did you know that you actually don’t need to be a math wiz to have a flourishing career as an accountant? “There is a need to understand the basics of math, but you don’t necessarily have to be a genius in math to be able to work in accounting,” Ainatou Tapsoba, audit & assurance senior with Deloitte & Touche LLP, tells Teen Vogue.

Deloitte is a professional services organization who participates in an initiative called Accounting+ to provide resources that can help students find their path in accounting. Accounting+ is working to break down many people's misconceptions about accounting, including the idea that it’s for math lovers who sit behind a desk all day. Through this initiative, students can gain insights about the career path, further their education, and use resources for interviews and resume building.

Accounting+ also makes it clear that doing taxes is just one specialization of this vast and thriving industry. “There are many opportunities related to the accounting profession that are available within the field,” Ainatou says. “The skills acquired with an accounting degree can be leveraged into different career paths within the accounting profession.” She added that accounting is the type of career path that always seems to be in demand, so at a time of job market volatility, it’s generally a reliable option. “Accountants play such an important role in our economy and overall global system. There is also a large amount of career development opportunities within accounting.”

Ahead, Teen Vogue spoke with Ainatou about how she started her exciting career, how the accounting world is changing as professionals continue to enter the job market, and the expansive paths a career in accounting can take you on.

Teen Vogue: What did you think accounting was before you began your career and how has your job differed from that?

Ainatou Tapsoba: I was born and raised in a small town called Fada, N’Gourma, in the eastern region of Burkina Faso, in West Africa. Growing up, I had never heard of accounting. My dad was a teacher, and my mother was a nurse, therefore, I had zero exposure to accounting while growing up. I was a very curious child, I was told. Always trying to understand the reason behind everything. When I graduated from middle school, my parents made the bold decision to send me to an accounting high school, and that’s where everything started. I graduated top of my high school class and was awarded the first prize in economics in 2011 (the competition was called “Olympiades”). Throughout my high school journey, I was always told that accountants worked in banks and made a lot of money, and that’s the idea I had of accounting pretty much up until a few years ago.

I moved to the United States at 19 years old, right after I graduated from high school. I had to take some ESL (English as a Second Language) classes before I could start on any major-related credits in college. While trying to navigate the language barrier, and finding my way into this brand-new environment, I also had to think about what I wanted to major in. My advisor at the time told me that it would be easier for me to major in accounting since I already had a background in accounting. Fast forward eight years later, I got my first opportunity with Deloitte & Touche LLP and realized that accounting was far broader than what I initially thought. First of all, I wasn’t working at a bank, but most importantly, I don’t have to be a math genius in order to have a successful career in accounting. Accounting is mostly about having a critical mind and being able to communicate stories with numbers.

Teen Vogue: How did you start your nonprofit and what skills from other parts of your career helped you build it?

Ainatou Tapsoba: The Christine Tapsoba Foundation was founded in 2017 in memory of my mother Christine Tapsoba who passed away in 2014. She was an advocate of child welfare and always found a way to empower others. The goal of the foundation is to provide financial support and learning materials to children who cannot afford an education. Every year we collect clothing and educational materials that we then provide to the families of these children. We are fortunate enough to receive the support of multiple donors through this amazing journey. Throughout my professional career, I have had the opportunity to meet wonderful people who support this cause and have given me advice. I have been able to use the leadership skills that I have acquired through this profession to help me in building and managing my nonprofit.

Teen Vogue: Outside of traditional paths, what are ways people can break into the field?

Ainatou Tapsoba:I grew up with the mindset that education is very important. People can take things away from you, but no one can take away your knowledge. And when I say education, it doesn’t necessarily mean getting a university degree. It means constantly growing and trying to better yourself. I believe that will always set you apart from your peers and help get you into the field you want. That being said, there are other ways to get into the accounting profession outside the traditional college degree. In fact, Deloitte recognizes the opportunity gap, and the fact that some people may not have a four-year degree but may have the skills needed for the job. Deloitte has put in place apprenticeship programs for specific roles to provide skill-first hiring, on-the-job training, and mentoring and coaching for individuals looking to have a professional career at Deloitte.

Teen Vogue: Are there any surprising jobs that accountants do that most people don’t realize?

Ainatou Tapsoba:Accountants work in any industry you may think of. From the small businesses at the corner of the street to Fortune 500 companies, every business needs an accountant. As long as businesses exist, accountants will not be far away. Some of the surprising industries I have seen accountants work in are government agencies and the entertainment business, including for celebrities. This is one reason why it’s important to educate the public and especially students about the many opportunities and variety of career paths available in the accounting field.

Teen Vogue: What are some of the skills that an accounting job might require or would be useful for accountants outside of data analysis or math?

Ainatou Tapsoba:I truly believe that every person is special in their own way, and no matter what skills you have, your contribution to a team matters. However, some skills that can make you stand out early in your career are the ability to think critically, communicate effectively, and creativity. Additionally, the ability to build and maintain relationships is very important, because the world is interconnected now more than ever, and building those lasting connections can go a long way.

Teen Vogue: How is the new generation of accountants innovating the field?

Ainatou Tapsoba:The field of accounting is constantly evolving. Change occurs rapidly, and we have to adapt to these changes. The Covid-19 pandemic brought a new set of challenges that we all had to adapt to. From the development of new technologies such as AI and new ways of collaborating, it is important for new generations to reshape their perspectives about accounting. For instance, remote work settings have fundamentally changed the way we collaborate with each other and our clients, and it will be important for new generations to adapt and thrive within this new working reality. Additionally, the introduction of new technologies can positively change the face of our field for generations to come. It is up to us to properly leverage these technologies to positively impact the profession.

As Ainatou explains, accounting is an ever-evolving field that can provide stability in this unpredictable financial time for students graduating from college as well as professionals just entering the job market. Accounting+ is here to help students and newly minted (pun intended) accountants understand the wide range that this career path has to offer. Their goal is to make sure students and professionals have the resources they need to explore these diverse and seemingly limitless opportunities.