New Financial Year, New Me....?

Why a Career in Accounting Might Be the Best Decision You Haven’t Made Yet

Let’s face it—accounting doesn’t usually top the list of "exciting careers” people dream about as kids. But talk to anyone who’s made the leap, and you’ll hear a different story. It’s a career that offers flexibility, security, solid pay, and the kind of problem-solving satisfaction that keeps you thinking, “I nailed that.”

Whether you’re 18 and wondering what to do with your life, 38 and looking for a change, or 58 and ready to finally do something for you—accounting is an underrated career move that might just be exactly what you’re looking for.

More than Just Numbers

Forget the image of a dusty office and someone hunched over a calculator. Today’s accountants are business advisors, tech-savvy troubleshooters, and financial translators. They help businesses grow, make sense of government rules, reduce tax bills (legally!), and stay out of hot water with the ATO.

The best part? Every industry needs them. From farmers and tradies to startups and cafés, everyone relies on someone to help manage their money and stay on track. As an accountant, you get to be in the thick of it—learning about all kinds of businesses and making a real impact.

You Can Study While You Work (Seriously, It’s Doable)

One of the best things about becoming an accountant is that you don’t need to quit your job, move cities, or go to uni full-time. In fact, many accountants start out by studying part-time while working in entry-level roles like accounts admin, bookkeeping, or payroll. That means you earn money while building experience and ticking off your qualifications.

There are heaps of flexible study options available:

• Online TAFE and RTO courses that you can do after hours or on weekends
• Online university degrees for those aiming to go further, such as a Bachelor of Accounting or Commerce
• Work-based traineeships where your employer supports your study as part of your job

And the beauty is, the more you study, the more valuable you become—and the faster you can move up. You might start doing data entry or invoicing, but soon you’ll be preparing reports, advising on budgets, and even sitting down with clients to talk strategy.

You can also keep studying right through to becoming a qualified tax agent, registered BAS agent, or even a CPA or Chartered Accountant if you want to go all the way. But it’s completely fine to build your career step-by-step and learn as you go.

Age Doesn’t Matter. Motivation Does.

Think you’re too old? Not a chance. Some of the most successful accountants got started later in life—after raising families, running other businesses, or working in completely different fields.

Accounting is one of those careers where maturity, life experience, and a calm head are actually huge assets. If you’ve ever balanced a household budget, dealt with tax time, or managed a small team, you’re already halfway there.

Plenty of people start studying accounting in their 30s, 40s, or beyond, and many employers appreciate someone who brings life skills and a strong work ethic to the table. It’s never too late to start a new chapter.

Work in Any Industry, Anywhere

Accounting is incredibly versatile. Once you’re qualified (even at the basic levels), you can work across dozens of industries. Want to work in agri-business, health, tech, or construction? No problem. Prefer to work remotely from a rural property or travel while you work? Totally doable.

Accounting gives you freedom that few careers can match—and once you’ve got the skills, you can take them anywhere.

It’s Not Just a Job—It’s a Life Skill

Even if you don’t want to work in a firm forever, understanding accounting gives you incredible power in life. You’ll be better at managing your own finances, spotting smart investments, handling your taxes, and helping others do the same.

In short, it gives you control.

Ready to Give It a Go?

You don’t have to have it all figured out. You don’t need to be a math genius. You just need to be curious, reliable, and willing to learn.

Start small—maybe a short course, maybe a bookkeeping job. Here at Murray Nankivell, we do offer a cadetship if you are serious about study and looking to gain hands on experience. If you're unsure, we're always here to talk about pathways into accounting, study options, and how to build a career that suits you.

Your future in accounting could start today—why not give it a go?

https://www.murraynankivell.com.au/careers.