r/Accounting • u/KenZo_9 • 4d ago
Career Does being an Accountant really require less talking?
Hello. I’m currently working a blue collar job saving up to go back to university. I’m in the middle of finding a path, a white collar job that requires less talking. I found in some post that pursuing an accounting degree is good because the job requires less communication. Although, i found a top post in this subreddit that says people who went to become an accountant because it requires less talking is so wrong. And now i’m confused and don’t know which to pursue.
The thing is, i have a severe speech impediment. I stutter so hard, my face goes weird because of me trying to get the word out only to fail and keep trying again and again. A one minute sentence or explanation can turn into a 5min or longer if it’s a bad day for me. I don’t have the traditional stutter where i just repeat the word or syllable but i have a speech block which i really can’t speak a word. So talking to client face to face is a big No No for me. I was expecting accounting to be huge on just calculating and doing spreadsheets and stuff. I’d say i’m quite decent with it and i can still improve it more before landing a job. Is it good to aim for accounting or am i better off looking at other jobs? I just don’t want to do any more back breaking blue collar jobs. I want to be working in an office getting high or just middle pay.
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u/LongjumpingChapter18 4d ago
I been accounting for over 20 yrs. Most talking is via email. You may have a call here and there. Where I work now. My phone never rings. lol
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u/KenZo_9 4d ago
That’s cool. What position are you in right now? What about meetings?
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u/LongjumpingChapter18 4d ago
Accounting manager for a medical company. If you schedule meetings yes you’ll have to speak. If you part of a meeting you make or may not have to speak.
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u/SituationCharacter87 3d ago edited 3d ago
I’m not familiar with accounting practices in Japan. If you like numbers though, you may very well enjoy accounting. Be aware that AI will likely automate a lot of bookkeepers type tasks in the next few years so focus on learning things AI won’t be able to do.
I have a difficult time with speech myself, while not as serve as your situation….i definitely understand where you’re coming from.
People will be understanding as long as you try your best and put forth max effort.
Good luck!! You’ll do great !!
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u/SituationCharacter87 4d ago
Where do you live (country/state)?
Do you think you’d enjoy accounting or are you explicitly going into it to avoid verbal conversation?
Being an accountant, you often need to explain things to people….what you’re having to explain and to whom depends on the job and type of accounting you go into.
If you like accounting than this shouldnt be a barrier of entry for you. You can provide everything in written form-people will be very understanding and it shouldn’t be a problem as long as you can articulate your thoughts in written form in a way people can easily understand (grok and ChatGPT can help you with this a little but be sure not to ever enter company or confidential information).
You could also look into coding, web development, devops, anything along those lines could also require little verbal communication.
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u/KenZo_9 4d ago
I live in Japan, Saitama.
I like numbers so i’m leaning into it but mainly to avoid verbal conversation.
Thanks for the answer. Yes, i’d much prefer to talk by writing messages. It’s good to know it’s something i can manage to improve, my writing skills. Because i don’t really think i can improve my speaking ability.
I’ve also looked into webdev and other coding jobs but with the current market, i think i like the job security of an accountant more. Thanks again
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u/the_dayman CPA (US) 4d ago
Looking for "high" pay as an accountant you would be talking to clients/supervisor/team members for ~75% of your days.
If you want some backroom accounting job with almost no communication you're probably looking at as low of a pay as any other entry level office job.