Let me share you a true story…

A few months ago, a viral story from a doctor warning SPM straight-A students not to blindly choose medicine went viral.

He said:
Being a doctor means no personal time, constant standby, missed meals, endless studying and despite it all, still kena scold by patients.

After I read that, I really cannot tahan.

Because… same story happening to accountants like us!

You think being a professional accountant, life better meh?

Many of my accounting friends now openly say:
“If my kids want to do accounting… I won’t stop them.
But I won’t encourage either.”

Here’s why:

✅ Work Never Ends
Accountants have ‘closing season’, ‘audit peak’, ‘tax deadline’…
But the truth? Peak season = 365 days.
Weekend? Got job.
Public holiday? Got urgent client.
Family dinner? Still thinking about tax compliance.

✅ Midnight Oil is Normal
We’re the invisible heroes.
Nobody sees the overtime, 11pm Excel, nonstop WhatsApp.
But one small error? Whole world knows your name.

✅ Learning Never Stops
ACCA, CPA, ICAEW just the beginning.
Then come tax updates, audit standards, AI, e-Invoicing…
If you cannot keep up? Game over.

✅ Mental Pressure is Real
Some clients delay documents, blame us for late filing, don’t pay fees —
But still expect 5-star service with a smile.

✅ Family Time? What’s That?
“I see my client more than I see my family.”
Sounds dramatic, but very real during peak months.
Birthday, anniversaries… all sacrificed.

✅ Female Accountants = Extra Strong
Many ladies in our field push through:

• Working until due date
• Short maternity leave
• Return to double workload
  Some delay marriage. Some choose not to have kids.

✅ You Need Buddha’s Patience
We clean other people’s mess, chase missing receipts, correct wrong entries …
And still must act like all okay.

✅ Morals Must Be Top-Notch
One wrong move?
Your name, your firm, your license … gone.
Every day, must balance between client requests and ethics.

✅ Only the Fittest Survive
Like junior doctors, junior accountants go through:

• Burnout
• High turnover
• Office politics

That’s why even accountant parents are saying:
“Maybe don’t take this path lah.”

✅ Some say, “Go tech…”
✅ Some say, “Singapore better pay…”
✅ Some say, “Sales lah — don’t need study so much, earn faster…”

But here’s the honest truth:

Every profession got hardship.
Just make sure your kid knows the real story before choosing.

PS : I fully support my two daughters in choosing their own career paths. They dont pick accountancy 😄