USA Do accountants type all day?

[scdp]

Just wondering if accountants spend their entire days just typing stuff into computers. I have some hand issues and while I can use a computer a good chunk of the day, just typing non stop for hours on end is painful. Should I not do accounting?

Is it basically a data entry job?

 

[John Baker]

In many companies, the line between an accountant and a bookkeeper can be vague. With the advent of the PC, mainframe use has been dramatically reduced, as well as the prevailing corporate thought process - " if you're smarter you can do more work."
Downsizing has also added to the multitasking job function, the impacts of imports, offshore and out-of-house administrative roles, has focused more on data processing - data in many different forms, then letting the spreadsheet agendas do their thing..
If you're not open to the increasingly dependent use of the personal computer, networking/shared data stations, and even homegrown spread sheet management, this profession is not for you.
With all the educational requirements required at the outset of one's career, then to rarely use that education while it's still fresh in your mind, but being subordinated to a input clerk's position, ….. then asking not to sit in front of a Excel Spreadsheet, or an off the shelf bookkeeping program for most of the day, is unrealistic.

 

[kirby]

Hi SCDP

Modern day companies vary in their automation of data. So you will find some where more manual data entry is required for an entry-level position and you will find some with much less required.
Given the manual ability you have now, per your description, that is sufficient for most companies. So don’t let that hold you back from learning more about opportunities in accounting.

 

[John Baker]

[U]scdp[/U],
When you start in this profession. come back and advise us all of your observations.

 

[John Baker]

SCDP,
".....just typing non stop for hours on end .....".
Where did you get the impression that accountants, bookkeepers do this?

 

[pos325]

It's way more than that but yes, it is mostly done on the computer. But you could do it the old way, on paper, see how long that will take

 

[Fidget]

Most office based jobs will require a fair amount of typing whether that's emails, spreadsheets, letters, documents etc. Data entry is a different kettle of fish. That is basically just constant transfer of data from paper into computer, and doesn't have to be anything to do with accountancy.