studying accounting essay

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Why I chose accounting as my major

If you were to ask any one of my friends to describe me in a single word, the overwhelming majority of their responses would be: practical. Next would be: logical. I’m completely fine with these definitions with regards to my character and actually find some pride in them. Logical thinking and practicality is something my parents (who still live in Albania today), instilled in me from a very young age. They taught me to make intelligent choices in my life. Because of my practical and logical nature, I decided to major in accounting. We are living in a society, today, where money, its value, and how it is used and moved around is in constant need of monitoring and analysis. I decided to major in accounting because of my logical thinking: I am going to college because I want to have a job, companies will always need people to handle their finances and will pay good money for someone to do so, so I am pursuing a major in a field that is in high demand and will most likely be in high demand for years to come.

            Making sure I was never out of a decent paying job isn’t the only motivation for me to pursue an accounting degree. As I’ve mentioned above, I consider myself a practical individual. I realize that in order for one to lead a fulfilling life, one must take a certain pride and glean some enjoyment from one’s work. The mathematical nature of accounting, the right or wrong of it, balancing books, tracking a company’s cash flow, all of these things excite and interest me. There is nothing subjecting about it, it feels almost like police work when I sit down and have to piece together just how the numbers add up, or why they aren’t. I would really like to secure a paid internship at a Mortgage Company and, although there is a lot of work to do, I would accumulate a great deal of invaluable knowledge. Knowledge of what an accountant does for a mortgage company such as this and the responsibilities I can expect of myself in my future field, but also, the knowledge that I would truly be content in this career

            I understand that accounting jobs are in high demand, but I also understand that I am facing a lot of talented competition in the workplace. In order to distinguish myself as an accountant and attain a successful career in this field is to first become certified in the CPA. While I pursue my additional credits required of me to qualify for the CPA exam, I plan to finish off those credits and attain my Master’s degree in accounting. I also have a passion for teaching and training and I hope to impart the knowledge I learn through my studies and workplace experiences to younger, hopeful accountants, later in my life.

            I may be a practical and logical person, but I truly believe that someone can have a successful career that is personally fulfilling. I don’t have a pipe dream of becoming an accountant. I have worked hard, coming to a foreign land, by myself, working multiple jobs to pay for my own classes, finishing my degree on time, all while maintaining a high GPA was a daunting task. However, I was always taught that if one sets aside the time and effort, then there is no reason for them not to succeed. Please help me to continue realizing my dreams, as reasonable as they may be.

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            Making sure I was never out of a decent paying job isn’t the only motivation for me to pursue an accounting degree. As I’ve mentioned above, I consider myself a practical individual. I realize that in order for one to lead a fulfilling life, one must take a certain pride and glean some enjoyment from one’s work. The mathematical nature of accounting, the right or wrong of it, balancing books, tracking a company’s cash flow, all of these things excite and interest me. There is nothing subjecting about it, it feels almost like police work when I sit down and have to piece together just how the numbers add up, or why they aren’t. I would really like to secure a paid internship at a Mortgage Company and, although there is a lot of work to do, I would accumulate a great deal of invaluable knowledge. Knowledge of what an accountant does for a mortgage company such as this and the responsibilities I can expect of myself in my future field, but also, the knowledge that I would truly be content in this career

            I understand that accounting jobs are in high demand, but I also understand that I am facing a lot of talented competition in the workplace. In order to distinguish myself as an accountant and attain a successful career in this field is to first become certified in the CPA. While I pursue my additional credits required of me to qualify for the CPA exam, I plan to finish off those credits and attain my Master’s degree in accounting. I also have a passion for teaching and training and I hope to impart the knowledge I learn through my studies and workplace experiences to younger, hopeful accountants, later in my life.

            I may be a practical and logical person, but I truly believe that someone can have a successful career that is personally fulfilling. I don’t have a pipe dream of becoming an accountant. I have worked hard, coming to a foreign land, by myself, working multiple jobs to pay for my own classes, finishing my degree on time, all while maintaining a high GPA was a daunting task. However, I was always taught that if one sets aside the time and effort, then there is no reason for them not to succeed. Please help me to continue realizing my dreams, as reasonable as they may be.

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Accounting and Finance Personal Statement Examples

What is an accounting and finance personal statement?

Writing a personal statement for accounting and finance is a chance to sell yourself to the admissions tutors and show them why you would make a great candidate for an accounting course.

It’s the place on your UCAS form to describe your skills and strengths that will make you a valuable asset to a university, as well as your plans for a career in accounting.

You are allowed up to 4,000 characters to explain why you are applying for an accounting and finance degree, so you need to make sure your statement is as polished as possible to stand out from the crowd.

How do I write a good accounting and finance personal statement?

All successful accounting personal statements always use evidence to support their claims.

You need to convince admissions tutors that you’re a good match for the programme, so if you claim to be committed or inquisitive, then use examples from your life to back it up.

To write a great accounting personal statement you need to start early, brainstorm some ideas, and then begin your first draft.

This will then need to be carefully revised and edited before asking family and friends for feedback. Incorporate their comments and suggestions, and see how it is improved before asking them to look at it again.

Read through our accounting personal statement examples above to get an idea of what a good accounting and finance statement looks like.

Make sure you proofread your statement for grammar and spelling before sending it off, and if you feel you need a little extra help, take a look at our personal statement editing services .

What should I include in my accounting personal statement?

Many students choose to start their statement by picking a specific aspect of accounting and explaining why they enjoy it, e.g. trading simulation, quantitative techniques.

Admissions tutors want candidates that are as passionate about the subject as they are.

As well as your motivations for studying accounting and finance, think about your hobbies and extracurricular activities too. What skills have you learned from these and how will these help you in your accounting degree?

Talk about any work experience placements you have completed, e.g. shadowing an accountant or assisting a bookeeper. What did you take away from this experience? Do you feel you have all the necessary personal traits and qualities that make a good accounting student?

Your wider reading is also important, so it's worth mentioning anything you've read recently that you found interesting and why. Generally, admissions tutors like students who express their views and opinions, and use examples to back up their claims.

For more help and advice on what to write in your accounting personal statement, please see:

• Personal Statement Editing Services
• Personal Statement Tips From A Teacher
• Analysis Of A Personal Statement
• The 15th January UCAS Deadline: 4 Ways To Avoid Missing It
• Personal Statement FAQs
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• 10 Top Personal Statement Writing Tips
• What To Do If You Miss The 15th January UCAS Deadline

How do I write my accounting personal statement introduction?

We recommend opening your accounting personal statement with the reasons why you are enthusiastic about this subject. You can do this either by picking out one or two aspects of the subject that particularly interest you, or if you have something relevant to share, you can relate an anecdote that explains why you've chosen to study accounting at university. For example, this applicant has chosen to talk about how a trip to Ghana made them want to pursue a career in accounting and finance:

"When thinking of how much power polymer notes hold, it was normal for a child like myself to ask, 'What is money?'. Looking back the answer was obvious. The literal meaning might be 'a medium of exchange' but I simply see it as 'to sustain'. I came to my interpretation of money through a trip to my motherland, Ghana.

For years, Ghana has experienced severe electricity supply challenges due to the economic crisis that led to the scarcity of consumers' payments. The frequent lack of electricity during my time there, impacted my daily activities. Although this was a short stay, having to come up with solutions everyday was frustrating, but it also made me think about the people who go through it every day.

This made me acknowledge the importance of business strategy and investment management. The ability of the Ghanaian government to come up with solutions for their monetary purposes is what inspired me to choose Accounting and Finance."

These opening paragraphs demonstrate that the candidate has thought about their career choice and explained why accounting and finance appeals to them so much. Remember that admissions tutors want to see students on their course that really want to be there, learn more about the subject in-depth and (hopefully) go on to taking up a job in their field.

Another candidate has chosen to open their accounting personal statement differently, by talking about their love of problem-solving and their work experience at a Chartered Accountants:

"I believe that within the financial world the importance of good fiscal decision-making is paramount, as well as the preparation of accounts and other related practices. The development of companies and monetary systems is a particular field of study that I find fascinating as it goes hand in hand with my love of problem-solving. This is a key element of accounting and allows clients to organise their finances in the most effective way. The chance for me to learn the way money is managed in a changing global economy, as well as in business, is why I want to study this degree course.

My desire to study accountancy was reinforced through my work experience at ***** *** Chartered Accountants. Whilst there I evaluated clients’ expenditures and incomes, I found this interesting as the need for attention to detail is key for successful modern accountancy. As well as this I reconciled multiple accounts and was shown how to calculate tax returns for a company or client over a set period of time. I found it really fascinating to be part of the workplace and it showed me how much breadth the field of accountancy has and this has only motivated me to work harder towards my goal of pursuing this career path."

However you decide to open your accounting personal statement, try to convey your passion for the subject, and focus on talking about the reasons why you've decided to study this subject for your degree.

How do I write a conclusion for my accounting personal statement?

One of the best ways to round off your statement is to talk about how you hope your accounting degree will help you grow your skills and knowledge, as well as achieving your plans for the future. For example, this candidate talks about how they've aspired to go to university from a young age, and how the challenges of a degree will help them solve economic problems in the future:

"Attending university has been an aspiration of mine from a young age, the thought of taking on new challenges and learning new things infatuates me with a burning desire to succeed. Long term, I plan to one day be able to construct solutions for the economic problems I read about and as a consequence become an asset to a global firm."

Other students choose to reiterate their interest in the subject, and why they would be a great candidate. For example, they might talk about how their personal qualities and/or experiences have equipped them with the right skills to pursue a degree in accounting.

Whatever you decide to conclude your statement with, try to make it memorable, and encourage the reader to think that you would be an asset to their department.

Further resources

• Finance and accounting personal statements - UCAS.com
• Accounting degree courses - UCAS.com
• Accountancy Undergraduate Degree Courses - WhatUni
• What can I do with an accounting and finance degree? - Prospects
• Accounting and Finance Degrees - Study In UK

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Essay on Accounting: Meaning, Functions, Importance, Principles and Limitations

Essay on Accounting :- 1. Introduction to Accounting 2. Meaning of Accounting 3. Functions 4. Importance 5. Systems 6. Principles 7. Concepts 8. Accounting Conventions 9. Limitations.

• Essay on the Limitations of Accounting

Essay # 1. Introduction to Accounting:

Several thousand years ago when human beings first developed the need to accumulate information about economic resources such as land, livestock and other personal property, accounting got originated. It emerged as an information system formulated for accountability in the exchange of goods and services.

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With the invention of money there was an ease in the manner in which commodities and services were exchanged. Money became a unit of measurement. Throughout history accounting profession has continued to grow in response to the ‘financial information needs’ of individuals and societies.

Accounting is a function of economic and social development. It is the language of business. It records business transactions on a monetary basis in a set of books in a scientific manner. Cash plays a vital role in all types of business activities. One party pays it and the other party receives it. Even in non-cash transactions, cash has to be paid or received in future. Accounting provides information in a classified and a summarized form as financial statements.

It comprises Trading Account, Profit and Loss Account, and Balance Sheet. Account is that aspect of accountability that accounts for the purpose for which cash is paid or received. Trading Account and Profit and Loss Account are prepared to ascertain the profits earned or losses incurred for a particular period. The balance sheet shows the financial position of a business as at a particular point of time.

Accountants are the practitioners of accountancy. They are information specialists who collect, process and report economic information about specific financial events for business and non-business activities. Today, we observe several million individuals engaged in professional accounting activities and several billions dependent on such information. Thus, accounting has a wide scope in the spectrum of economic and social development of any country, be it developed, developing or backward.

ADVERTISEMENTS: (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Accounting 2. Meaning of Accounting:

Accounting is considered as ‘the language of business’. It is the language employed to communicate financial information of the business to various parties interested in such information. When an event is to be reported (say in English, Hindi, Kannada), certain rules are followed diligently so that what is communicated is understood by the readers appropriately.

Similarly, in accounting also the events of the business are to be communicated to the users by following certain set of rules diligently, so that the firm does not run into the risk of being misunderstood. Accounting language has two important components – (1) symbols in the form of ‘Debit and Credit’ and (2) grammatical rules in the form of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).

Accounting stems from ‘book-keeping’ the science and art of correctly recording in books of account all those business transactions that result in the transfer of money or money’s worth. Accounting relates to the work of maintaining various books of accounts, say, journal proper, subsidiary books, ledger, etc., which are generally done by junior employees as and when the transactions take place.

For this reason these books are called Books of Original Entry. Though the original records are maintained in a systematic way, they cannot by themselves provide information for judgement (decision) unless they are analysed and interpreted. Therefore, accounting comes into the picture.

Examining the cited definitions, we can infer that book-keeping is concerned with recording aspect. On the other hand, being comprehensive in nature, accounting includes book-keeping and spreads its tentacles to the analysis and interpretation of the data recorded. In fact, accounting designs proper system for recording the transactions.

The modern system of accounting is based on ‘double-entry principle’. Being scientific in character, double-entry principle of accounting has definite objectives to fulfill. It prescribes the process through which the objectives can be achieved. Accounting is a macro system.

In its micro system it includes several branches in the form of Financial Accounting, Cost and Management Accounting and others such as Government Accounting, HR Accounting, Inflation Accounting, Environmental Accounting, Farm Accounting, etc.

ADVERTISEMENTS: (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Accounting 3. Functions of Accounting:

Functions of accounting may be broadly classified into four categories:

1. Historical Function:

The primary function of accounting is historical in nature, i.e., to maintain a correct record. It includes recording, classifying, summarizing, analysing and interpreting the recorded data of an enterprise (an accounting unit). The major objective of this function is to report at regular intervals to owners/shareholders, management and other interested parties in a desired form and format through financial statements.

2. Managerial Function:

The major purpose of this function is to maximize operational efficiency. In this form it helps in planning future activities, controlling day-to-day operations by comparing actual results with predetermined standards. In short, accounting helps in decision making.

3. Legal Function:

From the viewpoint of accountability, accounting should satisfy the legal requirements of Accounting Standards Board (ASB) as well as the government. For example, audit is compulsory for ensuring compliance of standards.

4. Communicating Function:

Accounting, as a language of business, should be in a position to communicate the information to the users of information say, owners/shareholders, management, creditors, employees, consumers, investors, government, etc.

Accounting 4. Importance of Accounting and its Users:

The importance of accounting is unique as it is useful not only to the internal users but also to the external users (direct and indirect users). The importance of accounting can be understood in the popular use of this systematic information by the interested parties (i.e., the data processed in the form and format meaningful to the user). This systematic information is used by interested persons for decision making.

However, there is no unanimity in different countries as to who these interested parties are. For example, Accounting Standards Board (ASB) of USA in its Statement of Financial Accounting Concepts (SFAC) No.1 states that ‘Present and potential investors, creditors and others are the users’. The Corporate Report (1975) London lists all types of users who need accounting information. The Stamp Report (1980) Canada states that because of broader accountability concept in Canada, the range of users is also broader.

However, the International Accounting Standards Committee (IASC) lists investors, employees, lenders, suppliers and other trade creditors, customers, government and their agencies, public and management as users in its framework (1989). Taking into consideration the above list of users, categorization is made as users of information having direct interest and users of information having indirect interest.

1. Users having Direct Interest:

The users having direct interest in accounting information are considered to be owners and potential owners/management, shareholders and potential shareholders, creditors and potential creditors, suppliers and potential suppliers, employees and consumers, government and tax authorities.

They are briefly discussed in the following list:

(a) The owners/shareholders provide funds to an enterprise in the form of capital. Hence, they are interested in accounting information to know whether the business is conducted on sound lines, whether the capital is used properly, whether it is in a position to provide best of the returns on their investment and whether the business is run on legal and ethical norms.

The income statement and the statement of affairs prepared from time to time should be in accordance with the accounting standards so that comparability and decision making become easier.

(b) The management is interested in financial accounting to determine whether the business is profitable, whether the position is sound and whether it has competitive advantage. Financial accounting, being the eyes and ears of management, facilitates decision making in relation to expansion, diversification, etc., and framing of suitable policies for future.

(c) The creditors are interested in the financial soundness of a business. They may be suppliers of goods on credit, lenders of money, bankers and others who would support the enterprise by providing credit facilities. Their main interest is security for credit, apart from income. They carefully scrutinize the income statement and position statement from time to time in addition to watching the business operations closely from outside by means of disciplined enquiry.

(d) The investors/prospective investors (apart from shareholders) are interested to know how far their investment is safe or is going to be safe. They examine carefully the statements of income and position to assess the soundness of the business. Altogether they are interested in the safety of their investment along with returns.

(e) The consumers are interested to get the goods at a fair price (comparatively reduced price). They are much interested to know the control mechanism adopted by the enterprise so that cost reduction is made possible.

(f) The employees are interested in accounting of the enterprise so as to assess the profitability which would be the basic factor for determining higher wages, bonus, better working conditions, etc. The sound financial position of the enterprise encourages them to contribute their best to the firm.

(g) The government (central, state and local bodies) is interested in accounting of the enterprise to know the earnings based on which taxes could be collected to formulate revenue. Further, for compiling ‘national income’ accounting prepared on the basis of accountability becomes essential.

(i) The general public is interested in the accounting of a firm from the point of view of the firm’s social responsibility. In addition, it may comprise prospective lenders, investors, consumers who would closely watch the financial progress of the enterprise.

(j) The researchers are equally interested in accounting of an enterprise. They utilize the data for their research purposes to interprete and suggest new ways of maintaining accounts based on standard measurement, usefulness and decision making.

Thus, the importance of accounting is recognized by its users and with the fact that accountability cannot be established without accounting.

2. Users having Indirect Interest:

The users having indirect interest in accounting information are considered to be financial analysts, stock exchanges, lawyers, regulatory authorities, registration authorities, financial press and reporting agencies, trade associations and labour unions. These users are generally agencies which help/protect such persons or potential persons having a direct interest in them.

Table 6.1 provides decision usefulness of accounting information.

Sample Personal Statement Accounting and Finance

by Talha Omer, M.Eng., Cornell Grad

In personal statement samples by field.

The following personal statement is written by an applicant who got accepted to several top accounting and finance programs. Variations of this PS got accepted at the University of Michigan, Vanderbilt, and Indiana University. Read this personal statement to understand what a top essay in Accounting and Finance should look like.

Example Personal Statement Accounting and Finance

I have never made popular choices, whether academic or professional. Where high academic achievement irrefutably means pursuing a career in Medicine or STEM, I opted for a career in management. I was free to choose a path for myself, owing to my performance during an extensive pre-induction professional training program. Fortunately, I picked a path that everyone believed was insignificant.

My decision to move to a new city to pursue my path did not receive encouragement. Making my own decisions has given me the freedom to dream and make it a reality. It has strengthened my belief that I am the only one who can bring a difference for myself and those around me. Brazil’s institutions may seem frozen, yet, at the grassroots, Brazil is in perpetual motion with ceaseless creativity. To accelerate this motion, we need to bring better and more affordable solutions; I plan to do that.

Growing up in Brazil, I have constantly questioned why we are still not growing economically despite having abundant resources. I frequently discussed the economic factors affecting us with my father, leading me to work at local NGOs and attend voluntary programs. My interest intensified when I discovered during these experiences that the unequal distribution of resources was a major cause of our economic constriction.

Moreover, our medical, engineering and academic professionals would not work in rural areas due to a lack of facilities, further debilitating the imbalance. It made me realize that we could only reap the benefits of our efforts if there were a proportionate distribution of resources. Realizing how effective mobilization of resources can aid in eradicating social ills, I developed an interest in management. This equipped me with technical knowledge and provided room for opinion building.

Pursuing this path, I joined the leading undergraduate institution in the country. The zeal with which I made this decision led me to graduate summa cum laude. While studying, I taught communication skills to undergraduate business students from rural areas. Meeting these students compelled me to get involved even though I lacked formal teaching training. Through empathy and friendly get-togethers, I was able to help these students conveniently traverse in English. With this experience, I understood that my time and energy had been well spent and that as an agent of change, one does not necessarily need to be exceptional; instead, one requires creativity, patience, and emotional intelligence.

After graduation, I followed through with my goal of facilitating change by joining the banking sector as an accounting and finance trainee. By working in Brazil’s most vital financial sector, I was exposed to diversified experiences, from being as simple as issuing customer chequebooks to designing accounting and credit proposals to the tune of USD 1.2 billion. Furthermore, while working on individual projects, I developed an in-depth understanding of international accounting rules that regulated trade transactions; the learning opportunities were immense.

Two and a half years of experience in the finance sector brought me to work for the country’s central bank. The anxiety that accompanied moving away from home for the first time was overwhelmed by my professional and personal growth. Nine months of extensive training and on-the-job assignments exposed me to interminable learning opportunities. However, my real gain has been in the form of self-improvement and growth that accompanied my first experience living independently. Leaving the protective living that I enjoyed with my family is challenging, but it has developed and strengthened my capabilities of taking and owning my decisions. Above all, knowing that my family is not always around to guide me has instilled in me a greater sense of responsibility.

During the two a half years of experience in accounting and finance, I observed the financial exclusion experienced by some important yet financially constrained sectors of the economy. This exposure motivated me to join the Development Finance Department upon my appointment to the country’s central bank. Moreover, most of the firms operating in any country of the world are either small or medium enterprises. Thus, providing an enabling environment to such enterprises is significant for economic growth and employment generation.

In Brazil also, 90 percent of the enterprises are small and medium-sized, and lack of access to formal sources of finance is a significant impediment to these enterprises’ growth. Therefore, a huge room for improvement is available concerning the development of policy framework and market infrastructure for the financial inclusion of this sector. As a part of the central bank, I have been allowed to intervene in a system that is not effectively performing its role of financial intermediation. Innovation in financial products, development of accounting and risk mitigation strategies are requirements to alleviate this segment’s financial exclusion.

By broadening my exposure and enhancing my knowledge, I aim to equip myself better to address the shortcomings of one of the critical segments of the economy.

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Ace Your Exams: Essential Accounting 9706 Past Papers You Need

Ace your exams with essential accounting 9706 past papers. find tips, resources, and study methods to succeed, accessing past papers.

Want to crush your exams? Getting your hands on the right Accounting 9706 past papers is a game-changer. Stay in the loop with the latest releases and know exactly where to find these golden resources.

Latest Updates

Keeping up with the latest updates on past papers means you always have the freshest materials for your study sessions. Here’s what’s new:

• January 11, 2024 : Fresh past papers for May/June 2023 and October/November 2023 for Accounting 9706 are now live on PastPapers.co .
• March 24, 2023 : The AS/A Level October/November 2022 papers for Accounting 9706 have been added to the stash on PastPapers.co .
• January 12, 2023 : Updated past papers for Accounting 9706 A Levels from October/November 2022, February/March 2022, and May/June 2022 are available for free in PDF format on PapaCambridge .

How to Find Them

Finding the right past papers is a breeze if you know where to look. Here are some trusty sources:

• PastPapers.co :
• A treasure trove of past papers for various sessions.
• If you spot any missing papers, just hit the “Contact Us” tab to keep the archive complete.
• PapaCambridge :
• Offers past papers for Cambridge International AS and A Level Accounting 9706 from 2002 to the latest session.
• Ensures you have the most up-to-date resources for your exam prep.

For more tips on boosting your accounting knowledge , check out related resources like accounting made simple and accounting handbook and study guide .

By keeping an eye on these platforms, you’ll always have the latest and greatest past papers to help you ace your exams.

Cracking the Syllabus

Want to ace your Accounting 9706 exams? Let’s break down the syllabus so you know exactly what to focus on.

Course Breakdown

The Cambridge International AS & A Level Accounting (9706) syllabus connects you with real-world accounting, covering both financial accounting and cost and management accounting. Here’s how the assessment is structured:

Papers 1 and 2 are for AS Level, while Papers 3 and 4 are for A Level ( Studocu ).

Let’s dive into the key areas you need to master. These topics are your ticket to understanding the course and smashing your exams.

Financial Accounting:

• The accounting equation
• Double-entry bookkeeping
• Financial statements
• Adjustments to financial statements
• Accounting for partnerships and companies
• Accounting principles and policies

Cost and Management Accounting:

• Cost classification
• Costing methods (job, batch, process costing)
• Budgeting and budgetary control
• Standard costing and variance analysis
• Marginal costing and absorption costing
• Decision making and capital investment appraisal

Focus on these topics to nail both the multiple-choice questions in Paper 1 and the structured questions in Paper 2. For more detailed insights, check out our accounting 101 book and accounting questions and answers pdf .

To really get a grip on the material, join study groups or explore online platforms that offer extra resources and practice materials. This will help you understand the concepts better and give you different angles on how to tackle exam questions. For more tips and strategies, read our article on effective study methods .

Understanding the syllabus and getting familiar with the course structure and key topics is crucial for excelling in your Accounting 9706 exams. Use all available resources to boost your learning and practice regularly with accounting 9706 past papers to track your progress.

Why Past Papers Are Your Secret Weapon

Getting ready for your Accounting 9706 exams? Past papers are like your secret weapon. They can seriously up your game and make you feel way more confident.

Getting Ready for the Big Day

Using accounting 9706 past papers is a smart move. These papers give you a taste of the real exam, letting you practice under the same time crunch. This way, you get better at managing your time and can finish the exam without breaking a sweat.

Past papers also test how well you know your stuff. They make sure you understand key accounting concepts and can apply them to real-world problems. This is super important for nailing the exam. So, past papers? Yeah, they’re a must-have.

Want more study tips? Check out our study techniques guide.

Getting the Hang of the Exam Format

One of the best things about past papers is that they help you get used to the exam format. The Accounting 9706 exams usually stick to a certain structure, and past papers let you get comfy with the types of questions you’ll face. This can seriously cut down on exam jitters.

Practicing with past papers, like the Solved MCQs for June 2022 , also helps you understand why each answer is right. This boosts your grasp of accounting concepts and sharpens your critical thinking. By working through these papers regularly, you’ll spot common question patterns and figure out the best ways to tackle them.

For more on what you’ll need to know, check out our syllabus guide .

Using past papers in your study routine can seriously boost your prep and confidence. For more resources, head over to our helpful resources section and explore online study groups and platforms.

Crush Your Accounting Exams: Study Smarter, Not Harder

Getting ready for your accounting exams? The right study methods can make all the difference. Here are some killer techniques to help you ace those tests using accounting 9706 past papers and other tools.

Practice Makes Perfect

Regular practice is key to nailing accounting concepts. One of the best ways to do this is by working through past papers, like the Solved MCQs for June 2022. This helps you get comfy with the exam format and the types of questions you’ll face ( Notesreel ).

Why MCQs Rock:

• Boosts critical thinking and decision-making.
• Helps you understand why answers are right.
• Deepens your grasp of accounting concepts.

To up your game, join study groups or use online platforms that offer a range of past papers and extra resources.

Master Your Time

Good time management is crucial for balancing your study schedule and covering all the topics. Here are some tips to keep you on track:

Crafting a Study Schedule:

• Set specific times for each topic.
• Take regular breaks to avoid burnout.
• Focus on tough topics first.

Handy Time Management Tools:

• Set reminders for study sessions.
• Use timers to track study and break times.
• Keep a study diary or planner.

By using these time management strategies, you can keep your studies balanced. For more tips, check out our article on accounting notebook .

Use these techniques to make your study sessions more effective. Don’t forget to explore additional helpful resources and accounting exam papers to boost your prep even further.

Helpful Resources

Getting ready for your Accounting 9706 exams? The right resources can make all the difference. Here are some online platforms and study groups that can give you a leg up.

Online Platforms

These websites are gold mines for past papers and other must-have resources for your Accounting 9706 prep.

PapaCambridge : PapaCambridge has a huge collection of past papers for Cambridge International AS and A Level Accounting 9706, dating back to 2002. Sign up on their site to easily browse, favorite, share, and download entire sessions for free. They even have a mobile app, so you can study on the go ( PapaCambridge ).

PastPapers.co : This site is all about keeping a complete archive of Accounting 9706 past papers. If you find any missing, just hit the “Contact Us” tab to let them know ( PastPapers.co ).

Cambridge International : If your school is registered with Cambridge, your teachers can access over 30,000 teaching and learning resources, including past papers for the Accounting 9706 syllabus ( Cambridge International ).

These platforms are packed with accounting exam papers and other essential study tools.

Study Groups

Joining a study group can boost your understanding and keep you motivated.

Local Study Groups : Check if your school or local community has study groups for Accounting 9706. These groups offer a supportive space to discuss tough topics and share study tips.

Online Forums : Websites like Reddit and The Student Room have sections just for accounting students. These online communities are great for tapping into shared knowledge and experiences from other students.

Social Media Groups : Facebook and WhatsApp groups can be super helpful. Look for groups focused on Cambridge International exams, where students often share past papers, tips, and advice.

School Study Groups : Many schools have their own study groups where students can collaborate. These groups are perfect for discussing accounting questions and answers and trying out different study methods.

Being part of a study group can help you tackle difficult questions and keep you engaged in your studies.

With the right mix of online platforms and study groups, you’ll be well-prepared for your Accounting 9706 exams. For more resources, check out our sections on accounting knowledge and accounting made simple .

Common Challenges

Handling tough questions.

Facing tricky questions in your Accounting 9706 exams can feel like a mountain to climb, but with the right game plan, you can conquer them. The exam tests your grasp of key financial accounting concepts and how they apply to real-world situations ( Notesreel ). Here are some tips to help you handle those brain-busters:

• Break It Down : Read the question carefully and chop it into smaller, bite-sized pieces. This makes it easier to understand what’s being asked.
• Spot the Essentials : Figure out which accounting principles or concepts are in play. This will steer you in the right direction.
• Practice Makes Perfect : Use accounting 9706 past papers to get a feel for the format and types of questions. Reviewing solved MCQs can also help you see the logic behind the right answers ( Notesreel ).
• Manage Your Time : Set a time limit for each question. If one stumps you, move on and come back to it later if you have time.
• Keep Your Cool : Staying calm is key. Stress can mess with your head, so take a deep breath and tackle each question step by step.

Staying Motivated

Keeping your motivation up while prepping for exams can be tough. Here are some tricks to keep your spirits high:

• Set Small Goals : Break your study sessions into smaller, doable goals. This makes your prep less overwhelming and gives you a sense of progress.
• Study Buddies : Join a study group to get support and motivation from your peers. Share resources, discuss tough topics, and keep each other on track.
• Mix It Up : Keep your study sessions interesting by using different methods. Try online platforms , watch accounting videos , and solve accounting MCQs to keep things fresh.
• Treat Yourself : Set up a reward system. Give yourself a little treat after hitting a study milestone.
• Stay Positive : Keep a positive attitude and remind yourself of your goals. Visualizing your success can be a powerful motivator.

By tackling these common challenges with smart strategies, you can boost your exam prep and build your confidence. For more tips and resources, check out our articles on tips for straightening curly hair and accounting 101 book .

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Home Essay Samples Business Dream Career

My Ambition To Be An Accountant

My dream job: accountant

• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. (2021). What is a CPA? Retrieved from https://www.aicpa.org/content/dam/aicpa/researchandstandards/misc/cpadescription.pdf
• Baker, R. (2018). Essential skills for a career in accounting. Accounting Today. Retrieved from https://www.accountingtoday.com/opinion/essential-skills-for-a-career-in-accounting
• Burns, J. (2019). Why accounting is a great career choice. Forbes. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/jrose/2019/06/04/why-accounting-is-a-great-career-choice/?sh=43ef1eb3645e
• Peavler, R. (2021). Why accounting is important to business. The Balance. Retrieved from https://www.thebalance.com/why-is-accounting-important-to-business-397405
• PwC. (2021). Accounting services. Retrieved from https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/audit-assurance/accounting-services.html
• Schaefer, R. (2019). How to become an accountant: Steps to take from high school to career success. Business Insider. Retrieved from https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-become-an-accountant

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25 Genius "Why This Major" Essay Examples for Top-20 Colleges

Here's the secret to writing your "Why This Major?" essays:

They're not really asking "Why this major?" but "Why you and this major?"

Just like with your Why This College essays, you need to show that you're a perfect match for the program you're applying to through specific examples , ideas , and connections to the school's offerings .

Even if you're applying undecided or undeclared , which is common for students to do, admissions officers ask this question because they want to know these 3 things:

• Do you have an idea about what you want your future to look like (what you want to study, possible career, etc.), and will our school help you fulfill that vision?
• Do you have what it takes to be a successful student within your desired major or program?
• How genuinely interested are you in this area of study? Or are you choosing it for superficial reasons (like money)?

What if you're undecided?

Even if you're undecided, you should have some idea about possible fields you're interested in.

It's impossible for you to have lived 17 or 18 years and not picked up some sort of interest that you could study in college.

After all, why are you applying to colleges in the first place? Probably to pursue a more in-depth education in a particular area.

So if you're applying undecided, you'll need to still talk about potential areas you're interested in, even if you aren't totally committed to them yet.

What makes a great "Why This Major?" essay?

The best "Why this major" answers show a deep level of interest and knowledge about the field.

Admissions officers want to know that you're serious about what you want to study.

Tip #1. Avoid superficial or cliché reasons

I often see students write generic remarks like...

• "Math is the language of the universe"
• "Studying communications will help me learn how to collaborate with others better."
• "Computer science is about problem solving"

These are OK starting points, but you need to delve deeper.

How do you go deeper? Try writing about specifics of the field.

Use some geeky or technical language . Instead of saying "biology," you could write about "molecular biology and its impact on genetic engineering."

Be specific and vivid in your writing, and show your interest in the field using specific anecdotes and moments that you haven't yet written about.

Tip #2. Ask yourself questions at the heart of the area of study.

If you're writing about math, some simple but deep question to ask yourself are things like:

• Is math discovered or created?
• What are the unsolved mysteries of math?
• How do the different branches of math (e.g. algebra, geometry, etc.) relate to each other?

These types of questions will get you thinking about what the major represents, rather than just what it literally is.

Focus on ideas , which are always most interesting.

Tip #3. Think about what the most common answer would be, and then say something different.

For computer science, I see a lot of students write about things like "automation", "artificial intelligence", or "problem solving."

For engineering, I see a lot of students write things about Legos or other "building" toys that they played with growing up.

For medicine, I see students write about "wanting to help people."

These are fine starting points for reflecting, but on their own it'll come off as cliché.

Tip #4. What will this school in particular offer to help you study this field better than other schools?

All colleges offer pretty much the same selection of majors and programs, so what is unique about this school's approach?

Again, you'll need to do some thinking and research.

Tip #5. Show how you've already explored the field.

Think about your classes, but more importantly, think about the ways you've gone beyond the classroom.

Those reasons are the most compelling for why you're a great fit for the major.

How to structure your "Why This Major?" essay

Here's formula you can use to write this essay if you're struggling to get started:

• I am passionate about subject X and here's why (offer a short story or anecdote)
• Here's is what I want to do with that passion in the future
• This is what this school has to offer or will do in order to help me achieve my goals and how (specific and unique reasons)

Now, let's look at some examples of students who wrote successful "Why This Major?" essays.

I've gathered 25 "Why Major?" essays from students who got into top-20 schools like Brown, Georgetown, MIT, and more.

This huge list covers a variety of majors and programs—from Computer Science to English to Bioinformatics—so you'll be able to find one that's similar to yours.

Let's dive right into it.

25 "Why This Major" Essay Examples

1. "why bioinformatics" georgetown essay example.

Prompt: Please relate your interest in studying at Georgetown University to your goals. How do these thoughts relate to your chosen course of study? (If you are applying to major in the FLL or in a Science, please specifically address those interests.) (500 words max)

Why This Essay Works:

Having specific details is key to making your essays more engaging. Whenever possible, substitute broader terms for more specific ones. In this essay, the student does this well, for example by writing "recombinant DNA into Escherichia coli" instead of saying "molecular biology."

Digging into why you're passionate about certain things is important for "Why Major" type of essays like this one. Admissions wants to know how and why that interest started. This student does a great job of telling a family story that inspired their interest in French and an academic experience that sparked their biology interest.

What They Might Improve:

This essay doesn't mention much of what Georgetown would offer them. Whenever possible, it's beneficial to reference specific aspects about the school you're applying to. This demonstrates genuine interest and makes it more convincing that your studies would flourish at the school. Although this isn't a "Why Georgetown" essay, these details can and should be incorporated, as the prompt asks you to relate your chosen area(s) of study to the school.

2. "Why Linguistics?" Brown University Essay Example

Prompt: Brown’s Open Curriculum allows students to explore broadly while also diving deeply into their academic pursuits. Tell us about any academic interests that excite you, and how you might use the Open Curriculum to pursue them while also embracing topics with which you are unfamiliar. (200-250 words)

My primary interest is in languages and linguistics, specifically Spanish, Portuguese and the descent of these languages from Latin which I explored in my IB Extended Essay. Thus, something that excites me about the complete freedom of the Brown curriculum is the opportunity to learn about Hispanic and Lusophone culture, literature and language in an intersectional way through a concentration in Latin American studies combined with classes and undergraduate research in Linguistics. I intend to supplement my language acquisition with practical application through study abroad opportunities at PUC-Rio, Brazil and in Santiago, Chile, perhaps through the Engaged Scholars Program which will allow me to forge deeper connections with the communities and cultures I am studying. I am also attracted by the possibility of a 5-year BA/MA course in Linguistics which will permit me to conduct meaningful and extensive research on a topic I am truly passionate about.

However, I also have an interest in Biochemistry and Molecular biology. The Open Curriculum will enable me to pursue this avenue of study and research without detracting from my principal focus on languages. Therefore, perhaps what I am most excited for is interdisciplinary study at Brown and the possibility of forging unforeseen connections between disparate academic areas and weaving them together into a program of study that will engage, thrill, and inspire me towards a lifelong path of academic inquiry. For example, I am interested to explore how languages and sociolinguistics can be used to promote medical research and provision in Latin America.

Naming things unique to the school shows you have genuine interest. Listing specific programs, courses, or majors shows you've done your research.

The author's reasons for "Why Brown?" fit into their background and identity. This makes their reasons seem genuine and compelling.

The essay is divided into two parts with distinct answers. Showing how those reasons relate could make the essay more cohesive.

Ending with a sentence "For example..." leaves more to be desired and explained.

3. "Why Medicine and Surgery?" Pomona College Essay Example

Prompt: Most Pomona students enter the College undecided about a major, or they change their minds about their prospective major by the time they graduate. Certainly we aren’t going to hold you to any of the choices you’ve made above. But, in no more than 250 words, please tell us why you’ve chosen the academic programs (or undecided!) that you have listed. (250 words max)

I’m sitting backstage at my first international piano competition, anxiously awaiting my turn to perform. Unconsciously, I massage my right wrist, still recovering from a recent injury. The young man beside me feels my nervousness and starts a conversation.

As we whisper, I notice him rub his hands together uncomfortably. “What’s wrong?” I ask, quickly leaving my own wrist alone. He suppresses a nervous laugh, then quietly details the long and unsuccessful surgery that shattered his dream of becoming a professional musician. His hands were permanently damaged.

“Alessandra Fang,” the judges call. I stand up, walk to the main stage and look back to see him encourage me with a stiff, crooked thumbs-up. As my fingers dance on the keys, I observe the fragile muscles and ligaments under my skin.

I realize in that moment that it is not in a massive concert hall where I wanted to change people’s lives, but on a smaller stage: an operating room. As an artist who has had her share of painful, music-related injuries, my goal is to become a musician’s physician, and blend my greatest two passions so that I might bring relief to those around me, while understanding their musical and anatomical plight.

I wish to pursue both Biology and Music programs at Pomona College. I want to become a hand surgeon while still developing my artistry on the piano. After all, surgery also has its own cadence, complexity and composition.

4. "Why Education/Teaching?" University of Michigan Essay Example

Prompt: Describe the unique qualities that attract you to the specific undergraduate College or School (including preferred admission and dual degree programs) to which you are applying at the University of Michigan. How would that curriculum support your interests? (100-550 words)

Growing up, I always pictured myself as a great teacher as an adult. With the second best secondary education program in the country and an emphasis on the liberal arts and undergraduate education, I am confident that U-M will shape me into the great educator I’ve dreamed of becoming since I was a kid.

Hallmarks of a liberal arts education include teamwork, problem-solving, clear writing, and effective communication. These are also skills that any exceptional teacher needs. U-M offers an unparalleled curriculum that prepares students to successfully run classrooms and obtain Provisional Teacher Certifications upon graduation, exposing students to diverse classes and people in Ann Arbor, and providing them with an invaluable liberal arts education along the way.

Being an effective teacher means connecting with and stimulating all students at its core. The liberal arts foundation I will receive in the College of Literature, Sciences, and the Arts (LSA), married with the experiential education and training the School of Education (SoE) will provide, will mold me into that great teacher—a mentor and role model for any student, regardless of creed—I’ve always aspired to become.

The Teacher Education Preferred Admission (TEPA) for incoming freshmen piqued my interest because the program is the crossroad between the liberal arts and teacher education; two components I was looking for in a college. TEPA will allow me to build a strong liberal arts base in LSA my first two years on campus before entering SoE, while also gaining beneficial experiences in the education field early on.

The education-oriented programs WE READ and Students Empowering Education specifically appealed to me because they will bridge my liberal arts education with my anticipated career as a high school English teacher. Similarly, my Spanish classes will have a practical application in the Ann Arbor Language Partnership, a program that immediately interested me as a potential Spanish minor.

During my first two years as a pre-admit, I'll be supported by my TEPA peers and staff, specifically from my SoE personal adviser. TEPA will take the large campus and make it feel smaller, allowing me to form organic connections with like-minded people and groups that can cultivate my interest in education before entering SoE junior year.

I need a meaningful education to be a meaningful educator. Truthfully, I could go to almost any college to become a teacher, but only schools that synthesize in- and out-of-classroom learning like SoE produce great ones. U-M ranking sixth in the country for undergraduate teaching bolstered my interest in the university and confirmed what I already knew: I will receive an education in LSA and SoE that will change who I am as a person and not just a student, and prepare me to provide the same for others as a teacher.

The great educator I’ve always envisioned myself becoming is one that can inspire without bounds. From my time as a student, I’ve come to realize that a truly influential teacher can work with students who have little in common with themselves and still be impactful. LSA's purposeful and broad curriculum, paired with SoE's hands-on courses and fieldwork, and the additional opportunities available through TEPA, will shape me into that life-changing teacher, for any student who walks through my classroom door.

5. "Why Business?" University of Michigan Essay Example

Growing up in a community that bleeds maize and blue, the community represented by the University of Michigan has always been one that I could see myself representing as both a student and alumni. From football games at the big house to classes at Ross, each and every opportunity available at U of M represents a piece of my life that I hope to continue to incorporate into my life for the rest of my life.

The opportunity to take courses that allow for enriched experiences in developing a real business is one that I intend to be involved in as soon as possible. I will use this type of class as a way to test my skills and learn where I need to become stronger as a leader and student. Watching others equally driven as me, their tactics that are successful and not successful will imprint on how I attack problems in the future and shape my overall leadership style.

By being involved in the Multidisciplinary Action Projects down the road as a graduate student, I hope to learn firsthand what it takes to run and be involved with real businesses. Firsthand exposure is the best way to learn how to solve problems- especially surrounded by peers who are equally as driven and dedicated as I am.

Filled with students striving for nothing but the best they are capable of is a community that I am certain I will enrich and fit into. By sharing ideas and collaborating together instead of against each other, each and every one of us will contribute to the business world as leaders and innovators.

The University of Michigan is a place I can see myself learning and growing as a leader for the next four years as I intend to use all of the tools at my disposal to become a top business person. The opportunities within the school I will be involved in and the peers that I will work beside only enrich the values of what being a Wolverine mean to me.

6. "Why Math and Accounting?" University of Southern California (USC) Essay Example

Prompt: Describe how you plan to pursue your academic interests and why you want to explore them at USC specifically. Please feel free to address your first- and second-choice major selections. (250 words max)

All throughout my life, I always loved doing math no matter what the concept. My love for math led to me taking advanced math classes for my grade. I even had to take a bus to a high school when I was in middle school to take an advanced math class. I always knew that I would want to pursue a career dealing with mathematics, but I was not really sure until my junior year. I had not decided what I wanted to be in the future, so my uncle suggested being a CPA, and I looked into it. When I did my research, it interested me as they made a decent amount of money and they worked with numbers.

At USC, I would like to major in accounting and gain the opportunity to possibly receive an internship at one of the big accounting firms in Los Angeles through the networking of USC. If I were able to get an internship, I would be able to gain experience for when I graduate and search for a job. I would also consider going for a Masters of Business Administration as I know that USC has one of the best business programs in the country.

7. "Why Computer Science?" Columbia University Essay Example

Prompt: Describe two or three of your current intellectual interests and why they are exciting to you. Why will Cornell's College of Arts and Sciences be the right environment in which to pursue your interests? (650 words max)

8. "Why Engineering and Law?" University of Michigan Essay Example

The University of Michigan’s College of Engineering has a proactive approach to career path discovery and job search. While I do hope to aspire to a corporate attorney, an engineering degree from the University of Michigan would provide me the advantage of readiness.

U.S News and World Report published an article about challenges law school applicants with STEM degrees face. Number one was the lack of research skills. Michigan Undergraduate Engineering has research opportunities for all undergraduate students. I hope to even take advantage of The College of Engineering (CoE) International Internship Program. The chance to see the world and contribute to the world-class studies conducted by Michigan Engineering students is a unique quality. The article also reported that STEM applicants often lack job experience. Michigan Engineering hosts internship fairs, which even freshman can participate in. By utilizing the opportunity to work in a professional setting, I will be more adapt to presenting myself in a mature and respectable manor in a corporate setting.

Many people are puzzled by my aspirations to become a corporate lawyer with an engineering degree. While I enjoy learning about many areas of study, math and science have always peaked my interest. Like my attraction to law, I am drawn to the definitiveness of engineering specifically. While there is a right and wrong in methods and procedures, there is a chance to be creative; for the end goal is functionality. Law requires critical thinking, problem solving, and the questioning of presented facts and figures. These skills are also encompassed in Michigan Engineering. With a technical understanding of industry and engineering, I will be able to more accurately represent a corporation. Like the professors at Michigan Engineering, I hope to be an expert in my field. At Michigan Engineering, I will be educated by the best of the best. Professors that have been exposed to their fields in every aspect; allowing them to provide the best guidance to students. Instead of just presenting facts and figures in a courtroom, I will be able to understand and explain them.

9. "Why Psychology?" Carnegie Mellon Essay Example

Prompt: Most students choose their intended major or area of study based on a passion or inspiration that’s developed over time – what passion or inspiration led you to choose this area of study? (300 words max)

When I was younger, I faced a lot of negative emotions including anxiety and low self-esteem. For a long time, I felt alone and as if no one understood how I felt. My self confidence was at an all-time low when I started taking psychology. All of a sudden the negative emotions I was feeling started making sense. I was suddenly able to understand how people were wired and why others treated me a certain way. I in fact was able to feel empathy for my aggressors after understanding that those who treated me negatively often faced struggles of their own. Most importantly, I felt as though something out there finally understood me. Because psychology offered insight into my own behavior and helped me to understand others, I was eventually able to overcome my insecurities.

In the future, I would like to help others do the same. No matter where I end up, understanding why people behave a certain way and being more considerate and empathetic for others will only help me thrive. Mental health is a growing issue in our society. The world we live in is a confusing place filled with pain, but psychology provides a way to determine the cause of this suffering and how to change it. I never want anyone to feel the isolation and sorrow I felt when I was younger. I want to help others become compassionate and unconditionally loving not just toward others, but to themselves. Even if I only make a small change in the world and affect just one person’s life, I would like to pursue that.

10. "Why Biology and Environmental Science?" University of Pennsylvania Essay Example

Prompt: Considering the specific undergraduate school you have selected, how will you explore your academic and intellectual interests at the University of Pennsylvania? For students applying to the coordinated dual-degree and specialized programs, please answer these questions in regard to your single-degree school choice; your interest in the coordinated dual-degree or specialized program may be addressed through the program-specific essay. (300-450 words)

As a child the world fascinated me. From questioning the makeup of the dirt I played in, to doubting the existence of gravity as I flew a kite, I was always thinking. Time passed, and my consciousness opened to more, like atoms, the Big Bang Theory, the psychology behind dreams, and the list goes on. Everything fascinated me; curiosity quickly became a part of my character. Some say ignorance is bliss, but I have to disagree. Ignorance is what fuels my curiosity; ignorance is what drives me to discover, learn, and initiate change. Living in a small rural town with my grandmother and disabled father, I have been limited by geography and socioeconomics. A perfect blend of humanities and factualities, the College of Arts and Sciences is an exploratory lab for all I do not know. At Penn, courses from Neurobiology of Learning and Memory to The Sociology of Gender allow me to rid my ignorance one class at a time. The unique and specialized curriculum provides a place to explore whatever I wonder and answer whatever I question. While my grandmother did not have the money for me to attend science camps, to visit museums, or to travel more than a few hours from my home, living in the country always provided me with endless exploration. My interest in trees in particular led me to specialize in the forestry portion of our Envirothon team for four years of high school. The passion I have for biology is second to my interest in helping others. Rural areas of Pennsylvania are in desperate need for physicians, especially in the field of women’s health. My goal is to return to my community and fill that need. As a low income, first-generation student, I have had limited opportunities, but I have seized any that I could and where there were none, I created some. As a seventh grader, I pioneered the colorguard of our newly formed high school marching band. Last year, as captain of 14 twirlers, I took my first plane ride to Disney World where my band performed. This experience taught more than I could ever learn in a classroom. Similarly, there are endless opportunities at Penn, both intra- and extra-curricular, and I plan to take advantage of all that I can to feed my fire.

11. "Why Finance and Political Science?" University of Pennsylvania Essay Example

This essay does a great job of conveying a thoughtful and candid applicant. Their phrasing, although verbose in some places, comes across genuine because the author walks you through how they learned about the school, what they're looking for in a school, and why the school would offer those specific things. Phrases like "I didn't know if I could honestly see myself studying that" are conversational and natural-sounding, which help create a sincere tone.

By referencing specific programs, like "Penn in Washington" as well as various minors and concentrations, it is clear this student has done their research about the school. One of the most important aspects for a "Why Us" essay is to find specific and unique opportunities and name them in your essay. These could be things like specific professors and their work, campus and its location, interesting classes, unique internship/study-abroad/job programs, special events, and many more. The key is referencing things that are entirely unique to the school and not many other schools too. Avoid broad terms like "renowned faculty" or "interdisciplinary studies" because virtually all colleges offer things like this, and these are some of the most over-used and artificial reasons used in "Why Us" essays.

This essay has many moments of repetition that are unnecessary. In general, avoid repeating your ideas and when editing, ask yourself of each sentence: does this add something distinctly new and important to my essay? There are two common mistakes that often create repetition: prefacing your ideas and summarizing your ideas. Unlike academic writing, you don't need to "prepare" the reader for what you're going to say, and you don't need to conclude it with a summary. By doing so, you only create unnecessary repetition and take up words which could otherwise be used to include new specific details or ideas.

This essay spends nearly half of its words explaining the "interdisciplinary" opportunities at UPenn. However, this reason is quite superficial and not at all unique to Penn, as almost all colleges offer some sort of interdisciplinary study (i.e. combining your interests or studying multiple fields). Talking about "interdisciplinary study" is one of the most common reasons students use in their "Why Us" essay, and it often comes across as generic and unoriginal. Instead, look for offerings that no other (or very few other) schools provide. Narrow down your reasons "why" to make them more specific to the school, even if they are smaller scale. You can mention things like "interdisciplinary studies" or "diverse student body" briefly as a reason why, but don't make them one of your primary reasons why, unless you have something particularly unique about it.

12. "Why Engineering?" Duke University Essay Example

Prompt: If you are applying to the Pratt School of Engineering as a first-year applicant, please discuss why you want to study engineering and why you would like to study at Duke. (150 words max)

At Duke I was equally entranced by the articulate movements of 3D printers in the Co-Lab and the stunning Gothic architecture. Instead of forming a dichotomy, these aspects of Duke blended to symbolize its emphasis on interdisciplinary education, which will offer me a nuanced perspective of the world integral to becoming a leader in engineering.

I will join the Academy for Model Aeronautics and share my passion for designing drones, while taking fascinating courses such as “Taboo Markets” and “Banality of Evil”, while simultaneously working on an engineering project that improves real people’s lives in “Engineering Design”. By joining the Duke Robotics Club, I can expand upon my love for robotics, and I hope to write for the Duke Engineering magazine, as well as join the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. By drawing from this diverse range of educational experiences, I can become a leader in creating a better future.

13. "Why Neuroscience?" University of Southern California (USC) Essay Example

I had never considered traveling across the country to pursue an education. In fact, living in Pittsburgh all of my life and growing up with people who are so adamant about staying put, forced me to believe that I too had to box myself into this small, yet evolving city. However, now I can confidently tell my friends and family that I want to travel to California for college (and ignore their odd looks).

What strikes me most about USC is its ability to maintain uniformity despite its diverse student body--in interests, ethnicity, and opinion. There are not many schools where I could be best friends with filmmakers, artists, photographers, chemists, potential CEOs, and writers. Although all of these people are spread across different schools, they still seem to maintain a cultural unity. Being surrounded by such a distinct trojan pride combined with the ambitious atmosphere would be both inspiring and propulsive.

At USC, I would not have to confine to merely one of my interests. I have always had aspirations of becoming a doctor and pursuing neuroscience, but have never felt comfortable ignoring the humanities. As a Trojan, I could pursue research at the Dana and David Dornsife Cognitive Neuroscience Imaging Center or even take part in PIBBS, while also honing my writing skills through the intricate Writing Program.

Much like the students, my interests could somehow be molded into a diverse uniformity, and I could prove my fellow Pittsburghers that perhaps they need to move around more.

14. "Why Journalism?" Ithaca College Essay Example

Prompt: Please tell us why you selected this specific academic program and what other academic programs interest you. (10-200 words)

Recording devices have been banned from the courtroom of the Supreme Court Building since 1946. Therefore, when the Court makes a landmark decision, interns must hand-deliver paper copies of the ruling to news organizations.

The interns often pair running shoes with their business attire, for the quarter-mile sprint from the Court building to the area where networks ​await.

When I first saw photographs of “The Running of the Interns”, I wanted nothing more than to ​be​ one of those people. I wanted to feel my running shoes beating against the sidewalks, to feel sweat staining my suit.

Why did this tradition attract me to journalism? Because it reminded me that the news is a race, a constantly-changing collection of stories shaping social and political development.

The opportunity to contribute to that collection is why, beyond Ithaca’s journalism program, I’m also interested in the College’s minors in Politics and Writing.

I think all of this desire to be part of a story defines what it means to be a journalist, a writer: When I become a journalism major at Ithaca College, and, later, perhaps a running intern, I get to be a contender in the race to change the world.

15. "Why Economics and Political Science?" University of Michigan Essay Example

In my junior year microeconomics class, my teacher extensively explored the ways in which people from different socioeconomic classes were affected by our economic system. I was frustrated by the ways our country forces those living in poverty to spend the little money they have on taxable goods. I began to empathize with them. How can people pull themselves out of poverty if their government seems to be working against them? More than anything, I was frustrated that I felt powerless to help them in any way.

Those lessons inspired and motivated me. I had always looked at economics as nothing more than an analysis of business models and resource allocation. I began to see it as a way to fix fundamental problems in our society, from examining the effects of healthcare expansion on crime and poverty rates to studying how shifts in our political climate affect how our country’s financial process will change. I now see economics as a way to help those in need in my country and throughout the world.

I volunteered after school for Representative Dingell and had the opportunity to attend numerous events hosted by the Ford School. Again and again, I was impressed by the extent of the Ford School’s student involvement in critical issues. Through my work with the Congresswoman, I was able to gain a greater understanding of how different groups of people were affected by shifts in political and economic priorities. My goal is to become a civil rights attorney or study economics as a way to promote sustainable growth in developing nations.

I want to begin my studies at the University of Michigan in LSA to gain a foundation in economics and political science-related courses. After my first year, I hope to gain admission to the Ford School. The connections that LSA and Ford have to Poverty Solutions solidified by interest in the University of Michigan. If I attended these schools as an undergraduate student, I would be able to assist with research on the causes and ramifications of poverty. Professor Michael Barr’s research on policy initiatives and our financial system is fascinating from the perspective of a prospective economics major. At the University of Michigan, I would be able to join teams of renowned researchers working toward the betterment of our society and our world.

The range of schools working in connection with Poverty Solutions is evidence of the University’s devotion to civic engagement. I would be able to participate in groundbreaking research regarding issues I am interested in; I would have the ability to study poverty and ways to stunt or alleviate its effects in other countries. As someone hoping to pursue a career in public service, it is truly incredible to have the opportunity to join a research community specifically geared toward solving problems I am passionate about solving.

I want to join the University of Michigan’s legacy of innovators. I want to be part of the LSA community, studying economics and political science. I want to attend the Ford School and understand how policy in America and abroad has an effect on global poverty. I want to be involved with the Poverty Solutions Initiative, conducting groundbreaking research on the ways we can reform our financial system to better serve the lower and middle classes.

16. "Why English Major?" Rice University Essay Example

Prompt: Please explain why you wish to study in the academic areas you selected above. (150 words max)

It's an understatement to label me as an English geek; I am that kid who squeals in excitement in English class when given a new essay assignment while others may groan in exasperation. I understand why some may be a bit anxious when preparing to turn in an essay for evaluation; you could bring an essay to two different English teachers and receive two different grades on it. This subjectivity is why some folks may prefer subjects such as mathematics in which the right answer is not debatable. However, its subjectivity is exactly what captivates me. I enjoy reasoning my opinions of arguments and the intentions of authors.

I was really happy when I learned I didn't have to major in Criminal Justice or Political Science to be a civil rights lawyer because I want to become a professional author as well. So, majoring in English is perfect for me.

17. "Why Political Science?" University of Michigan Essay Example

Riding the elevator to the seventh floor of Haven Hall, my heart was practically leaping out of my chest. I was meeting with Dr. Jenna Bednar of the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts Department of Political Science, and as I recalled her credentials- B.A. in Political Science from Michigan, M.A. and PhD in Political Science from Stanford- I felt increasingly out of place. As a junior in high school with limited political experience, I am grateful that she agreed to take time out of her day to meet with me and answer my numerous questions about LSA, Michigan, and political theory.

Upon entering her office, my eyes were drawn to bookshelves full of political literature, from the classics like De Tocqueville and Locke (which I read in a summer college program in 2017), to her own recently published work, The Robust Federation. Encouraged by her broad smile and having just completed an official campus tour, I launched into my questions. Dr. Bednar described the connections she and her students have made at Michigan, through LSA and in general.

This revealed to me that the faculty would take a personal interest in my academic career. We discussed the average class size in LSA and the Department of Political Science, her academic background, and how to survive Michigan winters. Dr. Bednar then brought my attention to the benefits that LSA Political Science gives its students.

For example, as head of the Michigan in Washington program, Dr. Bednar's passion for both political science and education was evident as she introduced me to one of Michigan's most influential academic programs. Although I hail from two miles outside the D.C. border, I aspire to participate in the Michigan in Washington program, to build on my internship of the past year with my delegate to the Maryland General Assembly.

Under his guidance, I conducted nationwide policy research, attended civic association meetings and development forums, and traveled to our state capitol to watch the legislative process unfold. Consequently, an internship at the federal level is my logical next step toward building the foundations of a political career.

Dr. Bednar, upon hearing about my internship with my delegate, suggested that I think about the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program. I believe that this research program offers a unique means of building my understanding of political science. I am eager to apply to the UROP program in hopes of furthering my research skills within the complex political landscape of today. Furthermore, the variety of courses that I can explore as a political science major is remarkable: from "Sports, Politics, and Society", to "Nations and Nationalism," the scope of topics will keep me engaged.

When I sat down with Dr. Bednar, I expected a five-minute chat; I received forty-five minutes of helpful advice, political theorizing, and well wishes. Leaving her office, I felt energized and ready to dive into LSA Political Science right there. Her demeanor helped to build my confidence to boldly seek connections in my search for knowledge. I saw the Michigan difference firsthand, from various undergraduate opportunities for political science, to a universal love for the school from students and faculty alike.

18. "Why Chemistry and Biology?" MIT Essay Example

Prompt: Although you may not yet know what you want to major in, which department or program at MIT appeals to you and why? (100 words max)

I remember boiling down cabbage with my dad to make titration indicators. When I first read about the process of translation, of rendering mRNA into proteins, my eyes filled with tears; this is what I would do, apply the chemistry that had defined my childhood to my love of biology. In the past few months alone, MIT researchers have visualized a critical growth kinase and decoded the kavalactone gene. To major in both the chemistry and biology departments at MIT would be an unequaled opportunity to explore the molecular basis of life and apply that knowledge to real-world innovation.

19. "Why Neuroscience?" University of Michigan Essay Example

My favorite class in high school was also my hardest. It was World Culture/World Literature, an hour and a half each day of seeing history, art, and literature not as separate entities but as intricately connected, one incomplete without the other. I learned to see humanism in Greek sculpture, religious propaganda in the chiaroscuro of Baroque paintings, disillusionment in modern art. Although seemingly unrelated to my STEM-leaning interests, the analytical skills I learned there would prove invaluable in neuroscience research. Connecting electroencephalography results to mechanisms for chronic pain relief wasn’t all too different from drawing links between historical movements and paintings; both required an intimate knowledge of background information and a willingness to take risks, to see new relationships and forge unprecedented connections.

LSA embodies precisely this mentality, fostering interdisciplinary learning and problem-solving. With classes like “Health, Biology, and Society: What is Cancer?”, bridging humanistic and biological approaches to disease, and graduation requirements ranging from Natural Sciences to Race and Ethnicity, LSA prepares students for the real world, where problems necessitate not just single-minded expertise but also a diverse understanding of other factors involved. My internship experience only confirmed the practicality of this perspective; we used mindfulness meditation alongside spinal cord stimulation technologies to treat chronic pain.

This mindset is not confined to learning inside the classroom. The LSA Opportunity Hub is robust, connecting students to internships at Nike, Forbes, and the US Department of Education, among other places. To intern as a research assistant at Mayo Clinic, to use mathematical models to predict brain tumor growth like current Michigan junior Tatum Doyle would be an unequalled opportunity. Her work in incorporating mathematical concepts in medical research personifies the LSA culture, where problems are best solved holistically. LSA’s interdisciplinary approach does not detract from fostering specialization and excellence in specific fields, but adds; its Biochemistry program promotes innovation and independence in its students and is ranked top in the nation.

I remember boiling down cabbage with my dad to make acid/base indicators. In elementary school, my teacher wrote that I had been spending too much time reading animal books and too little time playing with other kids. I loved (and still love) all things living, often marvelling at the complexity of the animal kingdom, the human body, the organs, and the cells that were the foundation for everything else. The first time I read about the process of translation, of rendering mRNA into proteins, my eyes filled with tears; this is what I wanted to do, to apply the chemistry that had defined my childhood to my love of biology.

LSA shares that passion, dedicating a plethora of resources, both intellectual and material, to its Biochemistry department. With equipment like atomic absorption spectrophotometers, classes in Endocrinology, and distinguished professors, the University of Michigan has everything any biochemistry undergraduate student would need, and much more. To research under a PI like Dr. Kopelman, winner of the J. William Fulbright Research Award, would be a dream fulfilled. His work in employing 5-dimensional chemical imaging to visualize and treat tumors does what LSA does best; it uses an interdisciplinary approach to make academic discoveries both relevant and essential in the real world. It is a culture I would be honored to take part in, should I be accepted.

20. "Why Undeclared?" University of Michigan Essay Example

Sweat drips down my face onto homework in front of me.

I just got home from a soccer game; I’m not stressed. This is until I realize I still have a plethora of edits to make on my lab report as well as emails to write for an upcoming NHS event. AND I have three tests the next day.

Although stressful, I enjoy every minute of juggling a variety of academics and extracurriculars. I appreciate all the opportunities my high school offers to me and I take advantage of as many as I can handle. Thanks to my involved years of high school, I have received a great education as well as many experiences I would never trade away.

Entering my senior year and researching universities I may want to attend, there is one question which continuously presents itself. What do I want to major in when I get to college? It is a scary question and I have never known the answer. Despite participating in many extracurriculars such as National Honor Society, Science Olympiad, Math Honor Society, and Future Business Leaders of America, I still have no idea what I want to do with my life.

As a student at LSA, I would be able to use the abundance of resources to explore possibilities for life after college. Since I am one of the many college applicants who has not decided upon a major, a large, liberal arts college like LSA is the perfect place for me to discover more about myself, pursue interests, and find my purpose. I have considered medicine, business, economics, and law. The two courses I have enjoyed the most are biomedical sciences and US History. I am truly all over the map!

With so much variety at LSA, I would be able to change majors or take a diverse group of classes so that I could find what I want to study. LSA is unique from its University of Michigan counterparts because it offers a broader range of departments, majors, and courses. The flexibility at LSA would help me discover what I want my life to be like while supporting me through my journey.

Additionally, LSA provides students with multiple opportunities not found anywhere else at University of Michigan. One program that caught my eye was Michigan Learning Communities. This program appeals to me because having the resources of this large university, yet finding a niche in the community to challenge myself and others, can help me grow as a student and a person. Similarly, the Opportunity Hub at LSA jumped out at me as I researched the University and toured the school. I would take full advantage of the great connections the Opportunity Hub provides, as it could help me find an internship or job offer when the perfect time comes. MLCs, the Opportunity Hub, and the many other programs which LSA offers are the main reasons why LSA would be the best college fit for me.

I was initially drawn to the University of Michigan by the beautiful campus, great athletics programs, unmatched prestige, and massive alumni network. However, as I dove deeper, I discovered LSA, a school that can help me realize my purpose and passions while providing a focused learning environment to lead me to a bright future.

21. "Why Computer Science?" Cornell Essay Example

22. "why kinesiology" university of michigan essay example, 23. "why mathematics" cornell essay example.

Prompt: Cornell Engineering celebrates innovative problem solving that helps people, communities…the world. Consider your ideas and aspirations and describe how a Cornell Engineering education would allow you to leverage technological problem-solving to improve the world we live in. (250-650 words)

For "Why Us?" college essays, one of the most important parts is to show ways you imagine being involved on campus. This student does a great job of showing that they've done their research about Cornell, by connecting their passion for studying heart disease to specific initiatives already taking place on campus. Try researching what events, research, or programs are being conducted. By referencing those specifics, you can create convincing reasons of why this school is fit for you.

When discussing your intended area of study, one effective strategy is to identify a problem that you see. This problem can be in the field itself, your community, or the world. Then, you can connect this problem to yourself by showing how you'd want to help solve it. Don't try to tackle it entirely yourself, but show how you'd "take bites" out of this larger problem. It is also important that you identify potential solutions to the problem. You definitely don't (and shouldn't) have all the answers, but what do you see as potential steps for combatting the issue?

Using technical language, such as referencing "semi-elliptical curves" and "modular form" in this essay, will help show your in-depth knowledge and passion. Don't be afraid to use technical jargon like this, and don't worry if admissions officers may not know all the terms. As long as they have context and knowing the terminology isn't critical to understanding your point, including "nerdy" language will make your essay more engaging and demonstrate your intelligence.

If you have personal connections to the school you're applying to (such as legacy, family members who work there, students or faculty you're close with), it can be a good idea to reference those connections. Showing personal connections to the school makes admissions think, "They're already practically one of us!" Just make sure that these connections aren't contrived: only write about them if you have a clear purpose within your essay for introducing them. In this essay, the student references their brother who attended Cornell, but does so in a way that naturally ties into the rest of their reasons for "why Cornell."

24. "Why Computer Science?" Brown University Essay Example

Prompt: Why are you drawn to the area(s) of study you indicated? (150 words max)

There was a time when I was low and afraid to be with myself. That’s when I dived into programming. I always sat with my laptop. But unlike others on Instagram or Snapchat, I was coding. I always kept myself occupied so I wouldn’t think about hardships. But as I was solving those little Instantiation and StackOverflow errors, I realized that any problem in my life had a solution. I could either modify the code and right the wrong, or just keep compiling them, producing no output. So, life is not all that different. That is why I want to pursue Computer Science. I know I can work to keep myself happy. Inevitably, what makes me happy is Computer Science, which is what I want to pursue.

25. "Why Journalism?" Emerson College Essay Example

Prompt: As you know, the academic programs at Emerson College are focused on communication and the arts. Please tell us what influenced you to select your major. If you're undecided about your major, what attracted you to Emerson's programs? Please be brief. (100-200 words)

Recording devices have been banned from the courtroom of the United States Supreme Court Building since 1946. Therefore, when the Court makes a landmark decision, interns must hand-deliver paper copies of the ruling to news organizations.

The quarter-mile sprint from the Court building to the area where networks ​await ​is no easy feat. But the interns dress with this mind, often pairing running shoes with their business attire.

When I first saw photographs of “The Running of the Interns”, I knew that I wanted nothing more than to ​be​ one of those people. I wanted to feel my running shoes beating against the limestone sidewalks, to feel sweat staining my suit.

Why did a tradition centered around dashing through D.C. attract me to journalism? Because it reminded me that the news is a race, a constantly-changing collection of stories shaping social and political development.

This, I think, defines both what it means to be a journalist and why I want to be a journalist: When I become a journalism major at Emerson, and, later, a part of the press--perhaps a running intern--I get to be a contender in the race to change the world.

What You Can Learn From These "Why This Major" Essay Examples

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People love to ask why. Why do you wear a turban? Why do you have long hair? Why are you playing a guitar with only 3 strings and watching TV at 3 A.M.—where did you get that cat? Why won’t you go back to your country, you terrorist? My answer is... uncomfortable. Many truths of the world are uncomfortable...

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I'm intimidated by the thought of assignments; I've been out of school for a solid number of years now and I'm not even sure if I could whip up a decent essay but I'm so out of touch of what an accounting assignment might even be so take that in mind ha.

I'm considering doing my first year part-time to just get the feel for being a student again and to learn how manage my studies around working before I consider full-time.

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Accountant interview questions – Why do you want to be an accountant?

Each corporation, NGO, or basically any other institution which works with money, has to keep books and pay taxes . Unless their representatives want to end in prison… Companies either employ accountants directly , or hire external accountants and tax managers, working as freelancers or for some accounting firm, to outsource their accounting.

Tens of thousands of accountants work all around the world, and the interview for this position belongs to most typical job interviews. We will have a look at one question now, which you will almost always face: Why accounting? You will face it in the interviews , but you will often also have to answer it when writing a short essay, while trying to study accounting at the university. It has different variations, such as “Why do you want to work as an accountant?”, “Why did you decide for accounting and not for another field?”, etc. But the principle is always the same .

You can talk about a variety of reasons in your answer–your skills, predispositions for the job, your career goals and plans (and the role position of an accountant play in them), your motivation, duties, education, etc. Let’s have a look at sample answers.

7 sample answers to “Why do you want to be an accountant?” interview question

• I’ve always excelled in Math and similar subjects at school. I enjoy working with data, and feel that analytical skills and attention to detail are my greatest strengths–at least when we talk about employment. I believe that we should do for a living what we enjoy doing , and for me that’s exactly accounting, and everything that belongs to it–taxes, laws, etc. That’s the main reason why I decided for this profession.
• My ultimate goal is to become a head of a financial department of some big company. I dream of running a big budget and having a huge impact on the success of an organization, ideally one I like, one that works on something important in the world. Before it can happen, however, I have to understand the ins and outs of running the business, I have to see behind the numbers . Position of an accountant seems to me like a perfect choice, at least at this stage of my professional career. It’s definitely the right step towards my ultimate goal.
• To be honest, it’s almost a family tradition . My father was an accountant and so was my grand father. I saw them working, I talked with them about their craft, and I enjoyed my time with the numbers. Having said that, my father is already retired, he doesn’t have his own office now, or anything similar. And I am not really an entrepreneur by heart . While I enjoy recording transactions, keeping books and submitting tax returns, I do not enjoy the “business part” of working as a freelance accountant–marketing, looking for clients, etc. That’s why I apply for a job with you.
• Well, I’ve been pursuing this career for many years now. Choosing accounting for my major, and later passing the CPA exam , I’ve been doing everything to have the best possible chance to get an accounting job with one of the big 4 companies . And today I am interviewing in one of them… Honestly there’s no way back, but I am not looking for one either, because I still want to work as an accountant, still haven’t lost passion for my field. Let’s hope I can succeed today.

* Do not forget to check : All entry level accounting interview questions .

• I’ve been working as an accountant for fifteen years , leading my own office. But you know how it goes in the business–new players enter the market, they offer unbeatable prices , they take your clients over. Then of course they have minimal margins , cannot afford to employ assistants and eventually end up out of business, because they work 20 hours a day and not earning much. To be honest I got tired from competing with such lunatics, closed my office and decided to pursue a career of a corporate accountant.
• I just feel that the job is a perfect match for my skills and preferences . I’ve always excelled with numbers, and I rarely make mistakes in my work. I can spot things others fail to notice, in the books, on the cash flow statement, with the tax return. In my opinion we should look for career that mirrors our strengths –it’s an only way to be successful in a long run. I honestly believe that I have what it takes to become an excellent accountant. And that’s the main reason why I decided to apply for this job and not for another one.
• I just enjoy what accountants do on a daily basis . It is as simple as that. I prefer to work on my own, head buried into books, and I like to work independently, without supervision, bearing the full responsibility for the results of my work. Reading the job description, line after line, I get an impression that career in accounting is the best possible match for me . Of course only time will tell whether I was right, but I am 100% sure that I want to give a shot to this career. 

Special Tip : What if I told you that you can practice your answers to all tricky accounting interview questions, getting an immediate feedback from a life-like AI interview coach ? And that you can start doing it for free , and it is a lot of fun too? 🙂 Check out this page on our partner website , Real Mock Interviews, pick a question, enter your email, and start practicing for free , either on your mobile phone or on your computer. Check it out now and see for yourself!

Words alone won’t convince the hiring managers

Do not forget that your non-verbal communication matters , as well as your tone of voice. Can they hear some enthusiasm in your voice , once you talk about your career choice, or about the duties you will be responsible for in your accounting job?

And how do you look overall? Do you look like you are happy to be in the room, perhaps even thrilled, because this is the career you’ve dreamed of for years? Or do you look like someone resigned , someone who simply has to be in the room, because they already invested years and savings into their studies , and now basically have to apply for the job, so all those investments do not end up in vain?

Think about it for a while. Your verbal and non-verbal communication has to correspond . That’s the only way to succeed in this interview…

Do not be afraid to dream big on your essay

Should you answer this question as a part of a study program application , writing an essay, you should dream big. Who else can be idealistic if not young people? Feel free writing that you want to be an accountant because you want to make a big difference in your career. Perhaps working for one of the multinationals and eventually spearheading their entire accounting department. Or working for some NGO, helping them to save money, so they can use more funds for their worthy activities.

Needless to say, the chances that you will eventually have such a career aren’t big . And maybe you do not even dream about such things… When applying for a prestigious study program, however, and competing with many other students with similar credentials, it is important to try to stand out , to get noticed. Maybe you cannot stand out with your grades or resume, but you can set yourself apart with your dreams and ambitions. Your essay definitely gives you such an opportunity, so use it wisely.

Hope this helps, I wish you good luck! And do not forget to check 7 sample answers to other tricky interview questions you may face while trying to get a job of an accountant:

• Accountant – Tell me about yourself
• Accountant interview – Why should we hire you?
• Accountant interview – What are your strengths and weaknesses? 
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Factors Affecting Accounting Students’ Academic Performance

This research attempts to explore contributing factors that affected accounting students’ academic performance. Respondents of the research were first degree accounting students from two private universities in Malaysia. The aim of the research is to investigate whether gender, prior accounting knowledge, accounting anxiety and age affect academic performance. Correlation test revealed that there is significant association between academic performance with gender, prior accounting knowledge and academic anxiety, while age is not significantly associated with academic performance. Multiple regression test was also administered to discover whether academic performance could be predicted by gender, prior accounting knowledge, accounting anxiety and age. Test results revealed that gender, prior accounting knowledge and accounting anxiety were predictors of academic performance, whilst age is not a predictor. In conclusion, the research suggests that students without prior accounting knowledge and has accounting anxiety should complete an introductory accounting program to develop and strengthen their basic accounting aptitude and confidence before pursuing an accounting degree.

Keywords: Academic performance , accounting , students , anxiety , gender , prior knowledge

Introduction

The accounting program is considered as difficult and complex ( Bahari et al., 2014 ). Students who have entered university and pursuing an accounting degree may face challenges in completing and excelling in their studies.

The longing to succeed can be a trigger variable for nervousness next to the anxiety of disappointment or failure. Some students face extreme pressure when learning accounting, which led to a deterioration of mental health due to the stress of learning the course ( Ison et al., 2020 ). Anxiety, nervousness, mentality, inspiration, individual qualities and so forth can influence the learning. Sometimes students who face these situations are disappointed because they could not manage these situations. However, research found that students who have had past experience in learning accounting fares better than those who have no experience. Research also suggests that students who have no prior accounting knowledge should at least go through a course to get to know accounting terms for them to understand the jargons used in classes at tertiary level. This would positively affect the students’ eagerness to learn accounting subjects. Other studies discovered that gender is associated with academic performance, where female students were found to perform better academically, but when it comes to mathematical-related subjects, the male counterparts fared better. Likewise, age is regarded as a determinant of academic performance. For example, Koh and Koh ( 1999 ) state that age is a factor of academic performance. They discovered that junior accounting students were academically outstanding to their seniors. Jansen and de Villiers ( 2015 ) also presented similar findings concerning age and academic performance.

Explorations of the factors that contribute to academic performance, whether positively or negatively, is important because discoveries from these studies will enable related parties such instructors, higher education institutions and accounting professional associations, address issues that may impede accounting students from obtaining excellent academic performance and becoming talented accountants of the future. Consequently, this research intends to investigate determinants affecting accounting students’ academic performance (henceforth academic performance and CGPA are used interchangeably in this research).

Review of Literature

Academic performance.

The decision to choose area of interest to pursue at tertiary level can be difficult. Some students may have a clear picture of their choice of study during high school, whilst some had that eureka! moment after they have completed their high school, or they were advised by people close to them. Some students may not have accounting knowledge prior to joining university. Conversely, Onay and Benligiray ( 2018 ) discovered that prior accounting background, prerequisite achievement, mathematical and statistical background significantly influence academic performance. Brook and Roberts ( 2021 ) suggest that math and accounting subjects taken in high school are significant predictors of student performance at tertiary level; whilst gender was not a predictor. However, Alfan and Othman ( 2005 ) reported the female students outdone their male counterparts academically. They also posit that entry qualifications and prior knowledge in economics, math an accounting are predictors of performance in students’ accounting degree program.

Contradictions concerning gender influencing academic performance is not a new subject. Coetzee et al. ( 2016 ) for example, discovered that female students in South Africa are more academically outstanding in accounting. Studies conducted in Thailand by Syukur ( 2021 ) and in India by Arora and Singh ( 2017 ) discovered the similar findings about the female students. Another study by Le Roux ( 2017 ) revealed the same result but this time for professional accounting exams. Jansen and de Villiers ( 2015 ), on the other hand revealed that the male students achieved better academically for undergraduate accounting courses in South Africa. Likewise, Koh and Koh ( 1999 ) reported that male students in Singapore outperformed their female counterpart at bachelor degree level. Further, Ghazvini and Khajehpour ( 2011 ) claim that even though female students studied harder, the male students had higher cognitive-motivational functions and perform better in calculation subject. Nonetheless, other previous literature reported no association between gender and academic performance ( Brook & Roberts, 2021 ; De Hart et al., 2011 ; Guney, 2009 ; Papageorgiou, 2017 ; Steenkamp, 2014 ). Therefore, the hypothesis generated is:

H 1 : Gender affects academic performance (CGPA).

Prior accounting knowledge

Experience provides the knowledge for us to make better choices and do better. A student who had prior academic knowledge would usually be able to appreciate a certain topic better; will be able to get better results in examinations. Doran et al. ( 1991 ) posit that students who had studies accounting at school is more confident when they do accounting subject at tertiary level. Nonetheless, Koh and Koh ( 1999 ) reported no difference in accounting performance for students who had no accounting background during high school to those with previous accounting background. Further, findings from literature indicate that previous accounting performance is indicative of later academic performance ( Onay & Benligiray, 2018 ; Myers, 2017 ). Husin et al. ( 2014 ) suggest that prior knowledge correlated positively with excellent performance in accounting. Joynt ( 2022 ) claims that introductory program introduced to students without accounting background positively improved their academic performance. Guney ( 2009 ) also found similar outcome where prior learning experiences affect academic results. However, the results were inconclusive as other literature presented evidence that prior accounting knowledge did not affect students’ grades in accounting (Byrne & Flood, 2008, Velasco, 2019). Likewise, Procházka ( 2016 ) discovered no association between prior knowledge with student performance. Further, Rossouw and Brink ( 2021 ) discovered that students who changed their major to accounting after the first year of study with no accounting background, succeeded in graduating with an accounting degree after three years. This means that prior accounting knowledge was not a factor deterring students to graduate. Therefore, the hypothesis generated based on previous literature is:

H2: Prior accounting knowledge affects academic performance (CGPA).

Accounting anxiety

Prior research states that a student’s level of accounting anxiety increases as she moves higher in the degree level ( Malgwi, 2004 ). Fairbanks ( 1992 ) asserts that anxiety is frequently found in arithmetic courses required for non-technical majors. De Borja ( 2012 ) on the other hand emphasizes that studying accounting education is similar to learning a foreign language and so it affects them comparably. Further, Arianpoor and Khayoon ( 2021 ) claim that students’ eagerness to learn accounting is negatively associated with anxiety, implicating that students will not be eager to learn accounting when anxiety is high. However, Brooks ( 2013 ) claims that a person who reappraise their anxiety into excitement is able to positively change their negative mindset and improve performance. Therefore, the hypothesis generated based on literature is:

H3: Accounting anxiety affects academic performance (CGPA).

According to Jansen and de Villiers ( 2015 ), age affects accounting performance. Säljö ( 1979 ) declares that older students are more conscious and motivated to achieve good academic performance, and this assertion is echoed by Guney ( 2009 ) thirty years later. However, Koh and Koh ( 1999 ) reported that junior students in Singapore outperformed the seniors at bachelor degree level. They explained that they younger students might perform better well because the knowledge they learnt were still fresh in their memory, whereas the older students did well because of their experience. The effect of age on academic performance is inconclusive. However, following Guney assertion, the hypothesis generated for this research is:

H4: Age affects academic performance.

Population and sample size

Population for the research is students taking their Bachelor in Accounting. Two private universities were chosen, as they were the most convenient and cooperative among the universities approached. Minimum sample size targeted for this research is 384 based on accounting student population in Malaysia ( Krejcie & Morgan, 1970 ).

Data collection

Questionnaire survey was the method for data collection. The questionnaires were distributed to Bachelor of Accounting students of two private universities in Malaysia. The universities were chosen because they were the most convenient and cooperative among those approached. 450 questionnaires were distributed equally to both universities and only 425 collected were usable for analysis. Prior to distribution of the questionnaire, reliability test was conducted on the accounting anxiety rate scale (AARS). The alpha for accounting anxiety was .849 and deemed acceptable ( Field, 2009 ).

Measurement of variables

The research questionnaire used for the research consists of three sections, namely: demographic profile and AARS, an instrument developed by Malgwi ( 2004 ) to measure student’s anxiety towards accounting. The following table 1 summarises the measurements of variables enquired in the questionnaire such as gender, race, age, prior accounting knowledge, cumulative grade point average and the AARS.

Result and Discussion

Demographic profile.

Demographic profile of respondents is summarised on Table 2. All respondents were undergraduate students taking accounting degree from two private universities. Accounting students from two universities took part in the questionnaire survey, with a total of 450 questionnaires distributed and collected from both universities. However, only 425 responses were usable for analysis.

There were nearly equal number of male and female responses collected, with 238 female (56 percent) and at 187 male (44 percent). Distribution of race among the students were nearly equal for the three main races in Malaysia, where of the 425 responses, approximately 34 percent were Malay, 27 percent Chinese and 37 percent Indian, while other race was at 2 percent.

Further, majority of the students were discovered to have prior accounting knowledge (62 percent) when they continued their tertiary studies at their respective universities. In terms of the distribution of CGPA of the respondents, 47 percent of them acquired a cumulative point average (CGPA) of between 3.00 to 3.49. Only 7 percent of the respondents had below than average CGPA. Additionally, nearly majority of the students were between the age of 21 to 23 (48 percent).

Correlation coefficient

Correlation test provides results whether gender, prior accounting knowledge, accounting anxiety, year of study and age influence academic performance. Results in the Table 3 indicate that gender, prior accounting knowledge and accounting anxiety were significantly correlated with CGPA (<0.01). Although the three factors were significantly correlated, the strength of the relationships were weak at .15 (Gender), .14 (Prior accounting knowledge) and .125 (Accounting anxiety). Year of study and age were not correlated with academic performance. This is indicative of prior study from Guney ( 2009 ) and more recently Sothan ( 2019 ) and Yousef ( 2019 ) where age is found not correlated with academic performance.

Regression analysis

Multiple regression analysis was executed to determine predictors of academic performance from gender, prior accounting knowledge, accounting anxiety and age. The result of multiple regression analysis revealed statistically significant association between gender, prior accounting knowledge and accounting anxiety. The result indicate that the most significant predictor variables are gender and prior accounting knowledge (p=0.001), and accounting anxiety (p<0.05).

Results indicate that gender, prior accounting knowledge and accounting anxiety are weak predictors of academic performance at [F(4, 420) = 6.899, p=0.000] with R2 at .062 (refer Table 4). The R2 of .062 indicates that 6.2 percent of academic performance is accounted for by gender, prior accounting knowledge and accounting anxiety, while the other 93.8% by other factors.

The predicted academic performance is 1.474 + .246 (Gender) + .251 (Prior accounting knowledge) + 0.164 (Accounting anxiety). However, no significant relationship was observed for age, denoting that it is not a predictor of academic performance. Therefore, we can define the CGPA model as:

Academic performance = 0 + b 1 Gender + 2 Prior accounting knowledge + 3 Accounting anxiety

= 1.474 + (.246 Gender ) + (.251 Prior accounting knowledge ) + (.164 Accounting Anxiety )

The result shows that gender is a predictor of academic performance, consistent with Koh and Koh ( 1999 ), Alfan and Othman ( 2005 ), Guney ( 2009 ), van Wyk ( 2011 ), Jansen and de Villiers ( 2015 ) and Almutawa and Suwaidan ( 2020 ); but inconsistent to Brook and Roberts ( 2021 ). Indeed, prior literature has indicated that female students are more academically diligent than their male counterpart is. Further analysis of test of significant difference discovered, female students were performing better than the male students (mean rank female = 228.46, mean rank male = 193.33). The current research did not explore reasons for the result that favours female students. Thus, there is a need for future research to determine why the female students outperform the male students.

Prior accounting knowledge is the second predictor that affects academic performance. Literature suggests that students with no accounting experience should enroll and pass introductory accounting level before registering in an accounting degree ( Joynt, 2022 ). Nonetheless, other literature claim that prior accounting knowledge did not have an impact on academic performance ( Brook & Roberts, 2021 ). Accounting enrollment at universities is on the increase as Malaysia strives to achieve 60,000 accountants by the year 2030. Thus, it is suggested that institutions of higher learning (IHL) create a bridging program that can help the weak students understand accounting better and at the end of the program decide whether they want to pursue an accounting degree.

The final predictor is accounting anxiety, which is commonly linked with self-efficacy. A person requires the competence to learn and work hard to excel in her studies, and the motivation to achieve success academically. Self-efficacy is when a person believe that she is capable of achieving certain goals and is willing to go the extra mile to achieve the goals ( Bandura, 1977 ). When a person beliefs that they are incapable of controlling their actions and achieving goals (self-inefficacy), anxiety kicks in ( Bandura, 1988 ). According to the regression model, when the level of anxiety increases, academic performance will increase. The result may indicate that students are driven to work harder to get good grades when they worry of not performing well. Interestingly, Brooks ( 2013 ) discovered a coping mechanism that a person does when faced with anxiety. They will reappraise their anxiety into excitement, to positively change that negative mindset and improve performance. Thus, this research proposes that the positive predictor of accounting anxiety to academic performance is the “opportunity mindset” as suggested by Brooks ( 2013 ).

Conclusion and Recommendations

The aim of the research was to investigate determinants of academic performance. Four elements established by previous research as determinants were gender, prior accounting knowledge, accounting anxiety and age. Regression analysis concluded that gender, previous accounting knowledge and accounting anxiety were predictors of academic performance, whilst age was not a predictor. This means that all hypotheses except for age were supported.

The current research highlights the importance of overcoming both internal and external factors affecting students’ academic performance. Results indicate female students were academically superior than their male counterparts. Related parties should investigate reasons behind the dissimilarity, how to assist the male students to overcome their academic issues: whether it was due to internal factors such as self-efficacy, motivation or external such as insufficient learning materials, distractions, etc. The issues that impede good academic performance can be tackled immediately with sufficient data from research.

Next is the importance of prior accounting knowledge. Accounting is known as one of the most difficult field. Equipping students with basic knowledge of accounting before they embark on an accounting degree, would strengthen their understanding of accounting, reduces accounting anxiety, improve performance and build an appreciation of the accounting profession. No longer will accounting be difficult for students who have no prior accounting background because they are academically prepared to go to the next level.

The research findings also lead to the following recommendation that can overcome both issues of prior academic knowledge and accounting anxiety. Firstly, IHL should introduce appropriate student selection procedure to gauge level of accounting knowledge before enrolling them into the bachelor of accounting. This may ensure students are capable of achieving good grades throughout they study. Secondly, IHL should enroll students that does not meet the minimum acceptable accounting knowledge and students with no prior accounting knowledge into introductory accounting pathway so that they can learn the basics of accounting. Upon completion of their introductory class, the students would already be equipped with accounting knowledge and would be more confident to move to the next level.

Next, are limitations to the current research and improvements recommended for future research. Firstly, the current research only investigated four determinants of academic performance (gender, prior accounting knowledge, accounting anxiety and age) based on past literature, which predicted only 6 percent of academic performance. Future research could introduce other determinants such as absenteeism or class attendance. Previous literature discovered that absenteeism is a factor that negatively affects the students’ academic performance ( Almutawa & Suwaidan, 2020 ), which means that a student who is absent frequently will not perform well in accounting.

Another determinant that can be included in future research that was discussed by Almutawa and Suwaidan ( 2020 ) is the availability of course materials and lecture explanation, which are important to help student understand the subject and improve academic performance. Next possible predictor recommended is student-learning time (SLT). Although student learning time is essential because student need to spend time learning their topics, it was found from previous study that a student will not be able to master accounting just by studying hard without understanding what he is studying ( Guney, 2009 ). We also recommend future research to tap into student skill building activities, which include to students’ ability to master accounting subjects attributed by the instructor, as suggested by Dull et al. ( 2015 ) and Velasco ( 2019 ).

The second limitation is the research sample size. The sample population used for this research was accounting students from two private universities. The scope of the research should be extended to get more generalised results. Research results from a larger sample size, encompassing private and public universities in Malaysia would provide better representation. Thus, it is recommended to increase the sample size of accounting students, with various student background from public and private universities so that that the results are representative of accounting students in Malaysia.

Acknowledgment

The author would like to convey her deepest gratitude to UNITEN’s iRMC for funding this research and providing an opportunity to share valuable research discoveries in this conference.

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18 August 2023

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https://doi.org/10.15405/epfe.23081.95

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I was fired from Deloitte after 18 months. Here are the mistakes I made as a new grad.

• Eddy Gramajo landed a job at Deloitte as a first-gen college graduate with a low-income background.
• At Deloitte, he was too focused on grasping corporate culture rather than his actual work.
• Gramajo was fired after 1 ½ years but has since built a successful accounting career in tech.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Eddy Gramajo, a 32-year-old accountant in San Diego. Business Insider has verified his employment history and salary details. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

I wasn't a great student in high school — I had a 2.4 GPA. Even my guidance counselor told me that community college would probably be my best option.

Yet I managed to land a job at Deloitte after college. Eighteen months later, though, I was fired.

I studied accounting in college to make a better life for myself

When I was growing up in California, my mom didn't make much money as a hairstylist, and she raised my brother and me as a single mother . I remember coming home from school and not knowing where we'd be sleeping because we'd been evicted.

Despite not being a great student, I got into the University of Redlands, a small school in Southern California, with generous financial aid and multiple need-based scholarships from local nonprofits.

I decided to double-major in business and accounting because the people I knew who made money and lived in nice houses were accountants or in finance or business. I wanted to help my mom out, do better for myself, and not worry about the lights being turned off or how to afford meals.

I was told I didn't look professional enough

Throughout college, I tried hard to make money — I resold my classmates used textbooks and worked multiple part-time retail and service jobs .

I knew other people who got internships, but I didn't manage to land any despite going to many Meet the Firms events , attending presentations, doing mock interviews, and submitting applications.

I remember thinking I crushed my first Meet the Firms event since I'd met many people and had gotten a stack of business cards. I was excited to follow up. Then my professor, the head of accounting, pulled me aside and told me that one of the Big Four firm's employees had mentioned that I needed to clean up, shave my beard, and be more presentable.

At another event, I remember one of the Big Four recruiters telling me, "I'm not even going to take a look at your résumé because your GPA isn't high enough."

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It was harsh feedback, but I started working to fix those things. In my junior year, I became the president of the Accounting Society and started a chapter of ALPFA, an association for Latino professionals, with a classmate. I also improved my GPA, even graduating with honors.

In my senior year, a Deloitte employee gave a presentation on campus. Afterward, we hit it off by talking about baseball, and I later reached out to him. He helped forward my résumé to a recruiter.

That fall, I landed a job offer from Deloitte. I knew that working at a Big Four firm would offer many opportunities and set me up for quick career progression, so I took the job.

At Deloitte, I focused on looks and personality instead of work

I thought for hours about what to wear on my first day . I chose a tie, dress shirt, and slacks, and I remember walking in and realizing I was the only one wearing a tie. After being told in the past that I didn't look presentable enough, I overbenchmarked my presentation.

In my starting class of 13 people, I was one of only two people of color. I didn't want people to think I didn't know what I was doing or draw attention to the fact that I was different.

I felt like the others in my starting class knew how to move in the corporate world better than I did, so I just tried to observe and learn.

I was so focused on grasping corporate culture that I didn't focus as much on the actual accounting work — that was my mistake. I focused on becoming buddy-buddy with the higher-ups because that was what I thought I needed to do to get ahead and accelerate my career.

When I got to Deloitte, I was surrounded by people from Yale, the University of California, San Diego, and all of these schools I didn't get into, so I clung to what I thought my strength was — my relationship-building skills — because they had always gotten me to places where my smarts couldn't.

I had some performance issues and was fired

I was promoted about 12 months in. But between then and the next review cycle, it became clear that it wasn't working out.

I missed a deadline or two and received more review notes on the Excel workbooks I turned in than expected. I wasn't submitting projects quickly enough because I was afraid to ask questions.

My senior manager asked me what was happening a few months before I was let go. I told her generally about some personal stuff I had going on because I thought I could be candid with her. She basically was like, "Hey, I know you're going through a lot, but everybody goes through stuff in their life, but they all end up figuring out how to get things done on time."

I started getting assigned lower-level work, and by my 18th month there, I stopped seeing stuff on my calendar. I took the lighter schedule as an opportunity to study for the CPA exam.

One day, I went into the office and had something scheduled on my calendar that morning. I went into the meeting, which was with the lead partner at the San Diego office and the human-resources person. They told me I was being let go because of performance issues.

I took it on the chin. I'm never one to make excuses. I could see how I hadn't been producing good-quality work, so I understood.

Even when I was getting fired, I was just super thankful for the opportunity. I knew how important it was to have Deloitte on my résumé, even just that 18-month experience.

I've made a career for myself

After Deloitte, I created an app with a former colleague from the firm to teach financial literacy to low-income families and students. The project ended up not working out, but at one point, we reached 5,000 monthly active users.

I moved back up to the Bay Area and slept on my brother's couch for a few months while I applied for jobs at tech companies, partly because I knew that was where the money was. I interviewed at 25 places and got an offer at Pandora in revenue accounting.

After Pandora, I worked at Glassdoor, started my consulting firm, Gramajo Consulting, joined Calm as its first hire on the revenue team, and have been at Dropbox since June 2022.

This is the longest I've ever been at a company, and Dropbox is one of the best places I've ever worked. The culture is great, and it's fully remote . My total compensation is nearly $300,000, and Dropbox offers great benefits — they provide six months of paid parental leave, so I got to spend six months straight with my child when he was born.

I don't look back and think about things I wish I had done differently. I feel like everything happens for a reason. Maybe if I hadn't gotten let go, I wouldn't have started the financial-literacy app or gotten a job at Pandora.

Now, 10 years later, I'm focused on making sure my team is  clear on the goals  we set. I don't want anybody to feel the way I felt at Deloitte, so I always provide a lot of transparency to my team in terms of giving feedback and discussing career growth.

I really focus on psychological safety for my team because I think that's important for groups such as first-generation white-collar employees, women, and people of color in the workplace. Two of my team of three are women of color, and I try to elevate them and give them recognition.

Mentors along the way supported me, and I want to pay it forward

I wouldn't have gotten here without the support of some great mentors along the way, including Nancy, the woman who ran a program called the College Dream Team and was the first person to tell me that I could go to college; Becky Mangiardi, my high-school librarian who would always be a listening ear and paid for one of my $75 college-application fees when I was trying to brainstorm ways to come up with the money; and Laurie Mitchell, my accounting professor who lent me $1,200 to be able to move to San Diego for Deloitte because she knew how important that was to get my career started.

I  share my story on TikTok  and try to be more transparent with my team because I want to pay forward the knowledge I've gained throughout my career to others.

I want others not to struggle the way I did and to learn from my mistakes so they don't have to make the same ones.

Deloitte representatives did not respond to requests for comment.

If you worked in a Big Four firm and would like to share your story, email Jane Zhang at [email protected] .

Watch: SAP's CMO Julia White learned early in her career about the challenge of leading teams through change, and earning respect by owning up to mistakes

• Main content

Tackling the talent issue: Xero report examines accounting and bookkeeping industry’s ‘image problem’

Xero launches mentoring initiative, aiming to shift perceptions from within

Melbourne — 27 August, 2024 — New research from global small business platform Xero reveals almost one in two accountants and bookkeepers (45%) believe their industry has an ‘image problem’ [1]. In response, Xero has announced the launch of Xero Mentor Match , a peer-to-peer mentoring program for its Australian accounting and bookkeeping partners.

The report, Reshaping accounting and bookkeeping: Image, talent and the way forward , is based on a survey of almost 400 accountants and bookkeepers in Australia and New Zealand and examines how the professions are generally perceived, and the impact this is having on the industry-wide talent problem. In a second survey of 155 university students from Australia and New Zealand studying a Bachelor degree (or above) in accounting [2], 41% agreed the industry has an image problem.

When asked why they believe this image problem exists, 81% of accountants and bookkeepers said that people generally think their professions are boring, while 63% of students said there’s a lack of awareness about the full scope of what accountants do.

With fewer people choosing to study accounting [3], and almost two-thirds of employing practices (65%) experienced challenges in finding and keeping the right staff in recent years, a need to communicate the opportunities and satisfaction that comes with a career in accounting and bookkeeping – both internally and externally – has been brought to the fore.

Theo Konstantas, Sales Director for Xero Australia and champion for the Mentor Match program, said: “The talent and skills shortage has – and continues to be – one of the most significant challenges facing practices today. This report is the first time we’ve explored the perception problem to understand the reasons why firms are battling this issue, and really thought about how Xero can level up to help.

“Xero Mentor Match is a direct result of this. Any accountant or bookkeeper – from those just starting out in their careers to tenured professionals – who work in a practice that’s part of the Xero partner programme can join the platform. We want them to connect, transfer skills, and show each other all the dynamic, innovative and exciting aspects of their professions. The calibre of talent we already have on board in our foundation mentors is exciting. These partners have the opportunity to inspire, and be inspired by, the next generation of talent to reignite the industry from within,” Konstantas said.

Xero is working with Australian-founded Mentorloop to bring the Mentor Match initiative to life. The two companies have a long-standing partnership, with Xero having used the mentoring software internally for several years.

Mentorloop uses an equitable matching algorithm to pair program participants based on complementary interests and skills.

Advocating for the industry through purposeful work

Despite the perceived image problem, one in two accountants (50%) and bookkeepers (49%) surveyed would recommend their profession to a family member, friend, or the next generation. When asked why, ‘The opportunity to do purposeful work that makes a genuine difference,’ was one of the top responses (for 69% of accountants and 64% of bookkeepers). This was also the most popular option among students (52%) when asked what aspect of the industry they are most interested in.

Meeting the needs of today’s – and tomorrow’s – talent

When it comes to the most effective things employing practices have done to combat the talent problem, offering benefits like remote or flexible working (61%), providing part-time or job share opportunities (52%), and creating a culture that promotes inclusiveness and wellbeing (45%) were the most common responses.

There are clear parallels between these initiatives and what emerging talent are looking for in a practice-based role or workplace, with one in two students surveyed citing ‘Benefits like flexible and remote working,’ as a key motivator. However, almost one in three students (32%) said the most important factor is having clear development pathways and career progression – something that only 29% of practices currently have in place to train staff in non-compliance.

Shannon Feeney, an Undergraduate Accountant at Yield Advisory , said: “My firm appealed to me because it focuses heavily on training and development. There’s a perception that accounting can be quite boring; but having the opportunity to learn from people with different responsibilities and expertise showed me how dynamic the profession can be. Everyone is open about their work, and I’m learning what steps I need to take to build up my skills. The development pathways are clear, which I really appreciate as I’m so new to the field.”

Discover more insights from the Reshaping accounting and bookkeeping: Image, talent and the way forward report, including its full methodology, here . Learn more about Mentor Match here .

[1] ‘Image problem’ refers to how accounting and/or bookkeeping is generally perceived as a profession, and the impact this is having on the skills shortage, industry-wide talent shortage, and the declining number of both new entrants and students choosing Bachelor-level and above programs in accounting.

[2] Students refers to those currently studying a Bachelor degree (or above) in Accounting and Finance, Business Management, Business (Accounting) or Commerce (Accounting) at a tertiary institution.

[3] Reported by CA ANZ in November 2022.

Media Contact

Jess Brophy | Communications Director ANZ | +61 431 268 549 | [email protected]

Xero is a global small business platform with 4.2 million subscribers. Xero’s smart tools help small businesses and their advisors to manage core accounting functions like tax and bank reconciliation, and complete other important small business tasks like payroll and payments. Xero’s extensive ecosystem of connected apps and connections to banks and other financial institutions provide a range of solutions from within Xero’s open platform to help small businesses run their business and manage their finances more efficiently.

About the report

This report is based on discussions and a survey run by One Picture with 399 accountants and bookkeepers in practices across Australia and New Zealand, recruited through Xero’s databases and via external independent research panels. A second survey of 155 university students saw respondents recruited from independent research panels and tertiary institutions in Australia and New Zealand, and external independent research panels. The report findings reflect anecdotal experiences relevant to the respondents’ studies or clients and practices.

Related media and enquiries

For all media enquiries, please contact the Xero media team.

Australian advisors extending services to support small businesses during economic uncertainty

Digitisation services lead the way as accountants and bookkeepers adapt to meet changing market demands

New Xero report reveals app usage fuels profit and client growth for Australian practices

Over half of App Masters* directly link app usage to profit growth in their firms

New Xero data reveals Australian small business hiring continues amid sales volatility

Jobs growth sees the largest rise since the end of 2022

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July Exhibits Rare Upswing in TV Viewing, Amplified by Streaming and First Days of Summer Olympics, according to Nielsen’s The Gauge™

4 minute read | August 2024

Summer Olympics drive increases for broadcast and streaming, with Peacock up 33%.

Streaming hits 41.4% of tv, largest share for any viewing format in the gauge’s history., youtube becomes first streaming platform to break 10% of total tv viewing..

NEW YORK – August 20, 2024 – Streaming made TV history for a second consecutive month in July as it notched the most dominant performance by a single viewing category ever in Nielsen’s The Gauge™, accounting for 41.4% of TV viewing. Streaming levels were over 5% higher in July compared to June, leading streaming to grow its share of TV by more than a point (+1.1 pt.) and shatter the previous record it set just last month.

July also ushered in the beginning of the Summer Olympics in Paris, and despite only three days of coverage included in the July Gauge report, the impact the Games had on TV viewing was evident. Total TV usage was up 2.3% in July compared to the previous month, and up 3.5% compared to July 2023. Broadcast viewing increased slightly this month to 20.3% of TV, but was up 5% compared to a year ago. The category also finished 0.3 points higher than July 2023 when it recorded its lowest share ever (20.0% of TV). When TV usage is isolated by week, the start of Olympics coverage in the final week of July pushed the broadcast average up to over 22% of total TV. This is further emphasized by the fact that the Olympics accounted for the top five, and seven of the top 10, broadcast telecasts in the July report, with the largest audience averaging 19 million viewers on NBC on Sunday, July 28.

Peacock’s coverage of the Olympics vaulted the streamer to 1.5% of TV (+0.3 pt.) and its second best share of TV ever (behind 1.6% in Jan. 2024). Also boosted by viewing to Love Island USA , Peacock’s 33% monthly usage increase in July was the largest for any streaming platform in The Gauge. It was followed by two more streamers with double-digit monthly increases: Amazon Prime Video viewing was up 12% from June to notch 3.4% of TV (+0.3 pt.), its best since November 2023. The Roku Channel was up 10% and added 0.1 point to achieve a platform best 1.6% of TV. 

July is typically a peak month for streaming usage, and this year, each week of the July interval* led to the top four most streamed weeks ever reported by Nielsen. The streaming fireworks kicked off with a notable week in Nielsen’s Streaming Top 10 when, for the first time ever, 10 titles exceeded 1 billion viewing minutes . What’s more, July 2024 now holds four of the top 10 most streamed days on record.

YouTube became the first streaming platform ever to exceed 10% of total TV usage in July. The most popular streamer shot up 7% versus last month, accounting for 10.4% of TV usage (+0.5 pt.). This comes after YouTube hit 9.9% of TV in June and secured the second largest share of TV viewing among all media distributors. 

House of the Dragon on Max topped streaming programs in July with 4.7 billion viewing minutes, also helping to drive an increase of over 4% for the streamer to retain its 1.4% share of TV. It was followed by Bluey on Disney+ with 4.3 billion viewing minutes in July. Disney+ usage was up 9.2% this month to finish with a platform best 2.1% of TV. Prime Video’s original series The Boys was third among streaming programs with 4.2 billion viewing minutes.  

Cable viewing in July was even compared to June, but due to the larger increase of overall TV usage, the category lost half a share point and ended the month with 26.7% of TV. Cable news viewing saw a strong increase in July, driven by the Republican National Convention and coverage of the assassination attempt on former President Trump. The news genre was up 23% compared to June, and up 52% compared to July 2023. Of July’s top 25 cable telecasts, Fox News Channel owned 24 of them.

* The measurement month of July 2024 included four weeks: 07/01/2024 through 07/28/2024. Nielsen measurement weeks begin on Mondays and run through the following Sunday.

About The Gauge ™

The Gauge™ is Nielsen’s monthly snapshot of total broadcast, cable and streaming consumption that occurs through a television screen, providing the industry with a holistic look at what audiences are watching. The Gauge was expanded in April 2024 to include The Media Distributor Gauge , which reflects total viewing by media distributor across these categories. Read more about The Gauge methodology and FAQs .

About Nielsen

Nielsen is a global leader in audience measurement, data and analytics. Through our understanding of people and their behaviors across all channels and platforms, we empower our clients with independent and actionable intelligence so they can connect and engage with their global audiences—now and into the future. Learn more at www.nielsen.com and connect with us on social media ( X , LinkedIn , YouTube , Facebook and Instagram ).

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Personal Statement — My Interest In Studying Accounting And Finance

My Interest in Studying Accounting and Finance

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Published: Feb 8, 2022

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Republican Donors, Do You Know Where Your Money Goes?

By Juleanna Glover

Juleanna Glover is the chief executive of Ridgely Walsh, a corporate consultancy, and a former adviser to many Republican officials.

We long ago blew past any meaningful controls on political giving in American elections. Now we should focus on the rules governing political spending, which are in equally terrible shape. For that we can blame the Trump campaign and the federal government’s feeble enforcement efforts.

Anyone who has spent time reviewing Donald Trump’s campaign spending reports would quickly conclude they’re a governance nightmare. There is so little disclosure about what happened to the billions raised in 2020 and 2024 that donors (and maybe even the former president himself) can’t possibly know how it was spent.

Federal Election Commission campaign disclosure reports from 2020 show that much of the money donated to the Trump campaign went into a legal and financial black hole reportedly controlled by Trump family members and close associates. This year’s campaign disclosures are shaping up to be the same. Donors big and small give their hard-earned dollars to candidates with the expectation they will be spent on direct efforts to win votes. They deserve better.

During the 2020 election, almost $516 million of the over $780 million spent by the Trump campaign was directed to American Made Media Consultants, a Delaware-based private company created in 2018 that masked the identities of who ultimately received donor dollars, according to a complaint filed with the F.E.C. by the nonpartisan Campaign Legal Center . How A.M.M.C. spent the money was a mystery even to Mr. Trump’s campaign team , according to news reports shortly after the election.

All but 18 of the 150 largest expenditures on a Trump campaign’s 2020 F.E.C. report went to A.M.M.C. None of the expenses were itemized or otherwise explained aside from anodyne descriptions including “placed media,” “SMS advertising” and “online advertising.” F.E.C. rules require candidates to fully and accurately disclose the final recipients of their campaign disbursements, which is usually understood to include when payments are made through a vendor such as A.M.M.C. This disclosure is intended to assure donors their contributions are used for campaign expenses. Currently, neither voters nor law enforcement can know whether any laws were broken.

A.M.M.C.’s first president was reported to be Lara Trump , the wife of Mr. Trump’s son Eric. The New York Times reported that A.M.M.C. had a treasurer who was also the chief financial officer of Mr. Trump’s 2020 presidential campaign. Mr. Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner signed off on the plan to set up A.M.M.C., and one of Eric Trump’s deputies from the Trump Organization was involved in running it.

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• Why don’t women use artificial intelligence?

Even when in the same jobs, men are much more likely to turn to the tech

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B e more productive . That is how Chat GPT , a generative-artificial-intelligence tool from Open AI , sells itself to workers . But despite industry hopes that the technology will boost productivity across the workforce, not everyone is on board. According to two recent studies, women use Chat GPT between 16 and 20 percentage points less than their male peers, even when they are employed in the same jobs or read the same subject.

The first study, published as a working paper in June, explores Chat GPT at work. Anders Humlum of the University of Chicago and Emilie Vestergaard of the University of Copenhagen surveyed 100,000 Danes across 11 professions in which the technology could save workers time, including journalism, software-developing and teaching. The researchers asked respondents how often they turned to Chat GPT and what might keep them from adopting it. By exploiting Denmark’s extensive, hooked-up record-keeping, they were able to connect the answers with personal information, including income, wealth and education level.

Across all professions, women were less likely to use Chat GPT than men who worked in the same industry (see chart 1). For example, only a third of female teachers used it for work, compared with half of male teachers. Among software developers, almost two-thirds of men used it while less than half of women did. The gap shrank only slightly, to 16 percentage points, when directly comparing people in the same firms working on similar tasks. As such, the study concludes that a lack of female confidence may be in part to blame: women who did not use AI were more likely than men to highlight that they needed training   to use the technology.

Another potential explanation for the gender imbalance comes from a survey of 486 students by Daniel Carvajal at Aalto University and Catalina Franco and Siri Isaksson at the Norwegian School of Economics ( NHH ). It also found a gender gap: female students enrolled in the NHH ’s only undergraduate programme were 18 percentage points less likely to use Chat GPT often. When the researchers separated students by admission grades, it became clear that the gap reflected the behaviour of mid- and high-performing women (see chart 2). Low performers were almost as likely as men to use the technology.

Why might this be? The researchers probed what was going on with some clever follow-up questions. They asked students whether they would use Chat GPT if their professor forbade it, and received a similar distribution of answers. However, in the context of explicit approval, everyone, including the better-performing women, reported that they would make use of the technology. In other words, the high-achieving women appeared to impose a ban on themselves. “It’s the ‘good girl’ thing,” reckons Ms Isaksson. “It’s this idea that ‘I have to go through this pain, I have to do it on my own and I shouldn’t cheat and take short-cuts’.”

A lack of experience with AI could carry a cost when students enter the labour market. In August the researchers added a survey of 1,143 hiring managers to their study, revealing that managers value high-performing women with AI expertise 8% more than those without. This sort of premium does not exist for men, suggesting that there are rewards for women who are willing to relax their self-imposed ban.

Tera Allas of McKinsey, a consultancy, worries that by the time AI is firmly embedded into modern working life, it might be designed to appeal more to men, who are its main users—potentially shutting women out in the long term. But not everyone is as concerned. Despite the fact that the early internet was dominated by men, for example, young American women were more online than their male counterparts by 2005. On top of this, Danielle Li of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology notes that the studies do not actually show whether men’s current Chat GPT use translates into better or more productive work. At the moment, the technology may be more of a digital toy, she says. Perhaps, then, high-achieving women are simply better at avoiding distraction. ■

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This article appeared in the Finance & economics section of the print edition under the headline “A new gender gap”

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