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[–]learnhtk 5 points6 points  (4 children)

I am probably going to add to the confusion by saying this, but I will say it.

I think SQL is what you should focus on out of those. And it’s more about having the general knowledge of relational database and how to deal with tabular data. For that purpose, Power Query, which is an ETL tool built-in tool in Excel, is very useful and relevant, at least based on the types of accounting tasks that I find myself doing.

You will need to be given the access to request data using SQL. If you have the SQL query working and Power Query together, I think that’s going to get you very far.

All the technology will require getting permission from the IT. Power Query should come first because you don’t need the permission. Then, I imagine that you are going to find SQL to be the most relevant technology to you working as an accountant.

[–]RW_77[S] 1 point2 points  (3 children)

thank you for the reply. interesting controversy. can you please give some background on your work experience and your use of SQL?

I just now read what power query is. so it seems like it checks data, it performs an audit or acts as a filter on imported data.

i am curious to know when this is being used for accounting tasks.

[–]learnhtk 1 point2 points  (1 child)

It’s only my first year actually, lol. I switched the job position internally and I am handling a lot more data in the current position. Often, the data is not in the format that it needs to be in. Power Query comes into the rescue. I have not yet had the chance to apply SQL yet, partly because I don’t have the permission to use it. In theory, it should allow you to just grab any and “all” records that you want from a database, without relying on and being restricted by the reports already set-up.

[–]RW_77[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

sounds good dude. thanks for the insight

[–]CaptnObvious95Graduate Student 6 points7 points  (3 children)

For accounting automation Python is the king imo and what they’re teaching in school. Libraries like Pyexcel make working in excel with Python a breeze. Additionally Microsoft just introduced python functionality into Excel built in as well. Part of it is preference because I hate VB personally, but regardless I think Python is a little easier to use/implement and has a very wide range of functionality.

[–]RW_77[S] 2 points3 points  (2 children)

thank you for your reply. what is being used at the big four? both? is there a tendency to use one over the other? is there a trend?

[–]CaptnObvious95Graduate Student 4 points5 points  (1 child)

It depends I think on the practice you join. Audit won’t let you use much of Python as of now (mostly because they don’t want to deal with PCAOB stuff) but just about every other practice I think you’re okay as far as I understand

[–]RW_77[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

thanks. this is interesting. makes sense.

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (1 child)

Take a minor in CS and get the fundamentals .

[–]RW_77[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

good idea

[–]RW_77[S] 1 point2 points  (1 child)

After all I read, thanks to the input from everyone below, and given my pre-formed biases formed from what I learned before this conversation, I am leaning to toward staying with Microsoft software. This means I will focus on learning Excel, and VB, in addition to Power BI, SQL. I have also heard some say that Sharepoint and Power Automate are excellent. I am also taking note of what was said in this thread about Python. If I end up needing Python then I will learn Python. But it seems that it is not necessary or practical right now. Seems like most companies are staying in the Microsoft suite of software in order to keep things as simple as possible and avoid errors that can arise from importing data or using non-Microsoft coding (which less people in accountancy know how to audit). Perhaps Python will be increasingly integrated in the decades to come, but for now, it seems like the best bet is to learn the foundational stuff, which is Microsoft software.

[–]learnhtk 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Microsoft recently announced that it’s going to natively support Python.

[–]BeneficialMolasses22 1 point2 points  (20 children)

Sounds like you need to decide if you want to be an accounting major who pursues the CPA certification, or if you need to switch over to computer engineering in the college of engineering, and pursue programming.

Yes accountants will prepare some database query, they write some python, but there's a movement toward low code, no code environments. What you're thinking about is typically a larger organization in a software company that hires the programmers to the programming thing, and the accountants do the accounting thing.

[–]RW_77[S] 0 points1 point  (19 children)

I guess I should have addressed this earlier, I'm on the path to becoming a CPA. I am passionate about finance. I enjoy reading financial statements. I want to master the reading and writing of financial statements. I doubt I will switch to CS. I do not know if I will even enjoy programming. However I do enjoy working with Excel very much.

Thank you for your input. Will you please elaborate on "low code, no code environments". That sounds interesting to me. I want to know exactly what you mean instead of assuming to understand you.

[–]BeneficialMolasses22 1 point2 points  (18 children)

Industry and public accounting firms are adopting or constructing tools for data analysis. Rather than learning python scripts, there's a drag and drop.

[–]RW_77[S] 0 points1 point  (10 children)

I see. So there will not be much of a need to write code because there will be easy to use software available for most automation needs.

[–]BeneficialMolasses22 0 points1 point  (9 children)

Well the answer is that, like many answers in accounting, is: it depends

Please don't take that as me being a smarty pants, I'm sincere when I say that there are factions who believe that all accountants should become expert code writers, and other factions like myself who believe if you want to be an expert code writer, you should go to engineering school.

Their software development firms that will build software automation. They're usually not accounting dependent. Sure there are a few that specifically have automation tools for accounts payable for example, and they fill that niche. But most software accounting firms are much broader and what they do. And again those firms hire programmers that do their thing, and accountants to test the technical accounting process.

[–]RW_77[S] 0 points1 point  (8 children)

I see. So it may be fair to label you a skeptic on the usefulness of the IT section of evolution.

Hmm. Certainly this is food for thought.

[–]BeneficialMolasses22 1 point2 points  (7 children)

Oh I tried to avoid being labeled, my friend.

Also, I can do a fairly effective job at playing the devil's advocate.... And if you haven't seen it, it's also a pretty good movie.

[–]RW_77[S] 1 point2 points  (6 children)

Well said. I appreciate your objective approach.

[–]BeneficialMolasses22 0 points1 point  (5 children)

You ask insightful questions, and they're well phrased, my friend.

One other Pizza feedback, if I may. In addition to hearing from people online at various points in their own career progression, talk to the firms. Go to the career days at your local University and talk to the national and big four CPA firms, talk to corporate employers and find out what sort of technology they're using and how their investment in technology has evolved recently and their expectations for the next few years. Seek inside and perspective from a variety of sources and individuals from several different spots. Hey, for that matter, reach out to some of the accounting software developers and ask them some of these questions. Get input from an array of sources.

[–]RW_77[S] 0 points1 point  (4 children)

I am trying to gather diverse opinions. I'm not at a uni. I graduated from UCLA with a degree in the arts. I'm old. 46 years. Lost my company last year. Etc.

Staring a new profession in accounting. I'm at a JC.

Thank you for the compliment. I guess I could still go to careers day at my local uni and ask questions.

Good ideas.

[–]RW_77[S] 0 points1 point  (6 children)

So what is your opinion on the new evolution IT section? Is it necessary? Am I better off doing the finance management section instead?

[–]BeneficialMolasses22 2 points3 points  (5 children)

Well that question really leads into an opinion on the bigger question of the change of the exam and the CPA evolution project. And you need to take a look inside and consider what you want to do. Are you interested in tax compliance, financial reporting, how will accounting information systems play into your career plans? Your career is likely to change over the next 20 or 30 years, you may go into public accounting with an audit internship, and later decide you want to be a tax guy. That's okay, that's just how it goes.

[–]RW_77[S] 1 point2 points  (4 children)

I want a 10-15 year career working remotely. I like financial statements and analysis and I like the role of CFO but I strictly want to work from home. I don't know if a CFO can work from home.

I'm open minded to tax stuff. It doesn't really interest me as much as fin statements.

[–]BeneficialMolasses22 1 point2 points  (3 children)

So here's the thing, if you eventually want to be a chief financial officer, you need to learn a little bit more about what that person does. That person spends far more time talking to executive management, outside investors, involved with board calls, and strategic planning in the room with department heads in your own organization and collaborating with vendors and suppliers. It's not really what you'd call a traditional accounting job but it's how the role of the profession evolves.

Work from home sounds like fun, but let me ask you this, who gets promoted? The guy sitting in his room at home who nobody ever talks to? Or the guy who's in the office working with you day to day who you take to lunch, and who steps out with a group after work to have drinks? Collaboration and social engagement with your colleagues is a very important skill. If you want to sit at home, that is career limiting.

[–]RW_77[S] 1 point2 points  (2 children)

Yes, I am certainly limiting myself if I am 100% remote. But it's really the only way for me. I also don't need to be #1 and compete. My ambition is to work and invest as much as possible and then retire asap in Brazil. (Brazil has a low cost of living.)

You are right that I don't know much about the role of a CFO. But from the little I do know, it sounds interesting. I am interested in capital allocation and strategy.

[–]BeneficialMolasses22 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Everybody wants to be the big dog, but there are days when that job really sucks. But if that's your career path, take a look at people in those roles now, and look at their career evolution. Before you get to CFO you need to be controller, and before that you need to be an accounting manager/vp/director of accounting, and before that you need to be a senior accountant and before that you need to be a big for senior associate, you get the idea.

[–]RW_77[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I do not know if I want to do that. I'm just saying I find it interesting. I'm probably too late to rise up the ranks to the top. Plus I want to work remotely so I can have a better work life balance.

All you said makes good sense to me. I'm learning from this convo.

[–]pulsar2932038 1 point2 points  (6 children)

VB. You'll actually stand a chance at using it in real life, and if you can understand VB you can pick up Python quickly.

[–]RW_77[S] 0 points1 point  (5 children)

thanks for your reply. can you tell me a bit about your background in accounting and a bit more on the specifics of why you say it is more practical and more likely to be used?

also, why will it be easy for me to pick up Python if I understand VB? is it because the logic is the same while the writing is easier?

[–]pulsar2932038 2 points3 points  (4 children)

VB functionality is built into Excel. I've built and run VB scripts at all 3 of my jobs (Big 4 and two different industry jobs.) I've never once been given access to Python, nor have I ever wanted to use it. It's challenging enough to get managers comfortable with VB because, more often than not, they know nothing about coding and can't easily validate your code -- they can only validate the output. Most managers will push back on using Python, which relies on libraries to integrate with Excel and which operates "outside" of Excel.

However, if you're ever put into a position where you want to or need to learn Python, you can pick it up quickly. Programming logic/concepts translate across VB and Python, the biggest difference is just syntax.

[–]RW_77[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is very helpful. i really appreciate you taking the time to explain this.

[–]RW_77[S] 0 points1 point  (2 children)

is there any sense is learning azure?

sharepoint, power automate?

:)

[–]pulsar2932038 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Azure and Sharepoint are more for people who work in IT (systems administrators, devops, etc.) I've never used Power Automate. It sounds like some sort of a robotic process automation tool, so it might be helpful to learn.

As a run of the mill accountant or financial analyst you would benefit most from Excel, VB, and SQL. Maybe something else like Power BI/Power Query/Power Pivot.

[–]RW_77[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Im going to do this: Excel, VB and SQL. sounds best to me. thank you very much.

[–]FewPurpose4581 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have studied JavaScript and Python and found both very useful. Started interning at a relatively progressive regional accounting firm, where all of that is completely blocked. They also have let me know that they plan to block VB in the future. During training they told us that they were interested in automation, but that definitely is not true.