Accountancy

Post Reply New Topic

I've heard that accountancy is a good job for someone with aspergers/autism. Is this true?

If so, what would I need to study this at home before I start an actual course?

I originally trained and qualified as an accountant after completing my science degree.

I enjoyed the studying and of course passing the exams (there were lots).

Although I found the practical work boring (especially the auditing) and left the 'profession' shortly after qualifying, this occupation offers considerable scope for those who can focus intensely.

Apparently a colleague once stood next to me for 5 minutes trying to get my attention whilst I was absorbed in some calculations and expressed astonishment at my level of concentration.

I was naturally astonished that this was something she was unfamiliar with!

Audit training involved 'team work' and working to 'pressure' and 'deadlines' which NT's seem to adore and which I hated.

Accountancy is a good basis for a business career but you can probably get much of the accountancy training from a finance majored MBA.

Good luck

Preparing for accountancy training will depend on which National professional accountancy exams you are planning to embark on.

Most English speaking countries offer flexible distance learning solutions leading to professional accountancy qualifications.

I think the US and Canada are likely to cause the most anxiety to an Aspie with 6 and 9 hour exams testing EVERYTHING at one sitting.

The UK seems to be the most flexible and the most widely chosen which permits individual exams to be sat and with no requirement to actually work in the accountancy profession while you are studying

Kind of a suck it and see approach.

The distance learning approach is ideal for an Aspie and the UK course material and exams are reasonably priced.

Whichever jurisdiction you pick, get hold of some text books to get a feel for the material.

Good luck

Thank you for answering, I live in Australia actually and I'm not entirely sure how they work it here. I think that the deadlines and pressure part wouldn't work well for me, I hate deadlines and pressure and teamwork isthe worst of all of them. The reason I've considered this is that it apparently pays well and is a good job for a person on the Autism spectrum.

I couldn't get textbooks for a while as all the local bookstores are rubbish and don't stock anything, the bookstore that does have them is 40kms away and I always spend hundreds of dollars while there.

My best skill is actually reading, I can spot details out and always score much higher than anyone else in a test/exam that involves reading. But I doubt that many jobs involve reading so I went ot mathematics because I enjoy it.

Perhaps I'll ask my math teacher tommorow...

Do a Google search for the Australian Chartered/Certified accountants professional body.

You will probably be able to find a sylabus and perhaps even purchase the study material, either directly or from a link.

Good luck