Why More and More Accountant Parents Don’t Let Their Kids Study Accounting

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

#makeaccountinggreatagain

#maga

PS : Authored by Mr Koh Teck Peng, the Group Principal, in his personal LinkedIn post

Visit Us

Wisma KTP, 53 Jalan Molek 1/8, Taman Molek, 81100 Johor Bahru
Wisma THK, 41, Jalan Molek 1/8, Taman Molek, 81100 Johor Bahru

KTP (Audit, Tax, Advisory)

An approved audit firm and licensed tax firm operating under the KTP group based in Johor Bahru providing audit, tax planning, advisory and compliance services to clients

THK (Secretarial, Bookkeeping, Payroll, Advisory)

A licensed secretarial firm in Johor Bahru providing fast reliable incorporation, secretarial services, corporate compliance services, outsourcing bookkeeping, and payroll services to clients