A young student approaches you for your insight about career options . Her question : “ What paths would allow me to use my role and skills to help people ?”

You think through the obvious choices : healthcare workers , nonprofit leaders and of course , teachers . But do accountants cross your mind ?

If you ’ re picturing an office building with fluorescent lighting , calculators and stacks of spreadsheets , you may be surprised at the idea of accounting being a compassionate and purposeful profession . But technology , automation and connectivity advancements have launched accounting into a dynamic , modern reality that provides an incredible opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others .

So , is “ accounting ” really an answer to the student ’ s question above ? Absolutely . Here are three reasons why :

EVERY BUSINESS IS IN THE BUSINESS OF ACCOUNTING . Accounting allows professionals to specialize in serving particular types of organizations . I ’ ve built my career ( working with colleges , universities and nonprofits )

because I love helping build their mission through being their advisor . Your young contacts may be interested in equipping healthcare organizations to make better financial and operational decisions so they can help more patients . Or they may want to help manufacturing companies identify new ways to innovate efficiently . All of these and more are possible as a public accountant .

TODAY ’ S ACCOUNTING IS PROBLEM-SOLVING FOR TOMORROW . Gone are the days of just recording transactions with a pencil and paper . While accountants still file taxes and perform audits , we ’ re also strategic business advisors , providing insight and financial guidance to drive an organization ’ s success .

Young people with an eye for problem solving can thrive in this role , technology advancements have reduced bean-counting , so more time is spent troubleshooting and providing results for clients at a higher level .

ACCOUNTING EMBRACES THE PERSPECTIVES AND GOALS OF OTHERS . The modern accounting profession has adapted to the

changing work landscape , allowing for a hybrid of remote work and collaborating in the office with coworkers and clients . This means that young professionals have the advantage of being bootson-the-ground learners . Modern accountants invest significantly in learning about what ’ s important to their clients and communities so that they can work towards seeing those things become reality .

Today ’ s accountants aren ’ t just looking at debits and credits ; they ’ re guiding long-term financial plans of organizations , which in turn builds stronger communities and better quality of life for everyone . Today ’ s young people want to use their careers to make a difference for our future . Those of us who work with colleges and universities can let them know they can do that in public accounting .

Rick Blanton , CPA , is a Senior Manager in Warren Averett ’ s Audit Division in Montgomery . He specializes in planning and conducting audits for higher educational institutions , nonprofits and governmental entities .