Shadowing Practice: Is Becoming An Accountant Actually Worth It? - Learn English Speaking with Video
Creating lesson...
1
What if I told you that one of the most boring jobs in the world could actually be your ticket to freedom?
2
Alright, hear me out, freedom seekers.
3
In a world obsessed with crypto and NFTs, there's a stealthy career that's been quietly making millionaires.
4
Accounting.
5
Yes, you heard that right.
6
And believe it or not, you don't have to get a degree to become an accountant.
7
And we'll get into that later.
8
But is it actually worth it?
9
Well, stick around because in the next 15 minutes, I'm going to crunch the numbers on this supposedly dull profession.
10
And I'm going to show you why it might just be the most exciting career move you'll ever make.
11
Today, we're going to be diving into the world of debits, credits, and dreams.
12
That's right, we're going to be talking about accounting.
13
Now, I know what you're thinking.
14
Shane, have you lost your mind?
15
Accounting is about as exciting as watching paint dry.
16
But hold on to your calculators because we're about to flip the script on this misunderstood profession.
17
Let me introduce you to a concept I call stealth wealth careers.
18
These are jobs that fly under the radar but have the potential to build serious wealth and freedom.
19
And accounting, it's the ninja of stealth wealth careers.
20
Now, why am I, a guy who talks about remote work and entrepreneurship, suddenly singing the praises of traditional professions?
21
Well, let me drop some knowledge on you.
22
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for accountants in 2020 was about $73,000 a year.
23
But that's just the beginning.
24
The top 10% of accountants, they're pulling in over 128,000 a year.
25
And that's not even counting the potential for bonuses, profit sharing, and other perks.
26
But Shane, you might say it's not about the money.
27
And you're absolutely right.
28
That's why we're going to look at accounting through the lens of what I call the freedom formula.
29
And this is skills plus demand plus flexibility equals freedom.
30
Accounting gives you a superpower of understanding the language of business.
31
When it comes to demand, every business needs accountants.
32
It's recession proof.
33
And when it comes to flexibility with these skills, you can work anywhere, anytime.
34
And when you add these up, you get freedom.
35
The freedom to choose your path, your lifestyle, and yes, even your work hours.
36
Now, I know some of you are skeptical.
37
You're picturing a dimly lit cubicle, mountains of paperwork, and a soul-crushing 9 to 5.
38
But what if I told you that accounting could be your ticket to working remotely from a beach in Bali, starting your own successful business, or even becoming a high-paid consultant?
39
Sounds a lot more exciting now, doesn't it?
40
But here's the million-dollar question.
41
Is it actually worth it?
42
That's exactly what we're going to be exploring in this video.
43
We're going to be diving into the pros and cons of an accounting career, how to leverage your accounting skills for maximum freedom, and whether it's the right path for you in your particular circumstance.
44
And by the end of this video, you'll have a clear picture of whether accounting is your secret weapon for financial freedom
45
or if you should stick to your day job.
46
So are you ready to balance the books of your future to reconcile your dreams with reality?
47
Then let's dive in because it's time to audit your career options.
48
All right, so let's talk about the truth about accounting salaries.
49
That's right, we're going to be talking money, because let's face it, that's why we're all here.
50
Now, I've already thrown some numbers at you, but let's break it down even further.
51
Starting salaries for accountants are pretty sweet.
52
We're talking $50,000 to $70,000 right out of college.
53
And it's not just right out of college.
54
There are certain positions such as bookkeeper or junior accountant
55
that you can go into right away as long as you have the proper training, which by the way, I'll put some free resources for how you can get the proper training down in the description and the pinned comment below.
56
And this is from a company that's helped so many people get these entry-level jobs called Course Careers.
57
And I've interviewed a bunch of people on the channel that have actually gotten jobs through Course Careers.
58
And more and more often, companies are realizing that college degrees don't actually prepare people for the working world.
59
95% of the things you learn in college are theoretical or mumbo-jumbo or fluff, and it's just not that helpful on the job market.
60
So, so many different alternative education opportunities are popping up on the market right now and Course Careers is one of them.
61
So definitely check them out down the description and the pinned comment below.
62
But here's where it gets interesting.
63
After five years, you could be looking at six figures.
64
And if you make it to becoming a partner in a big firm, we're talking millions.
65
But remember, salary is just one piece of the puzzle.
66
Let's not forget about bonuses, profit sharing, stock options, et cetera.
67
Many accountants, for instance, because of the fact that they do taxes for different businesses, will kind of see where the opportunities are, and then they can potentially start their own business in those areas.
68
Now, I know what you're thinking.
69
Shane, all that sounds great, But what about the soul crushing work?
70
Well, my freedom seeking friends, let's dive into that next.
71
The day to day reality of accounting.
72
All right, let's address the elephant in the room.
73
The stereotype of the boring accountant.
74
Here's the truth.
75
Yes, there will be spreadsheets.
76
Yes, there will be numbers.
77
But modern accounting is much more than that.
78
You're not just crunching numbers.
79
You're solving puzzles.
80
You're like a financial detective.
81
And with technology automating the grunt work, you're free to focus on the big picture stuff.
82
Strategy, analysis, and decision making.
83
Plus, you're often working with cool companies like tech startups, fashion brands, and even pro sports teams.
84
But I'll be real with you.
85
Tax season, it's no joke.
86
Long hours, high stress, and deadlines galore.
87
And the question is, is the payoff worth it?
88
Well, let's find out.
89
Remember our freedom formula?
90
Skills plus demand plus flexibility equals freedom?
91
Well, accounting scores high on all three.
92
And accounting gives you a superpower.
93
You can read the story behind any business's numbers.
94
It's like having x-ray vision for finance.
95
And every business needs accountants, from small startups to Fortune 500 companies.
96
It's practically recession-proof.
97
And when it comes to flexibility, this is where it gets good.
98
With accounting skills, you have options.
99
You could work for a big firm, you can start your own practice, you can do freelance work, you could become a consultant for a niche type of tax accounting.
100
And here's the kicker.
101
Many accounting jobs can be done remotely.
102
That's right, beach office anyone?
103
But freedom isn't just about where you work.
104
It's about having options in accounting.
105
It gives you plenty.
106
Now, let's talk about the downsides.
107
Let's keep it real here, because I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't talk about the downsides.
108
First up, the education.
109
Even though there are some types of accounting jobs that you can get into without a college degree, many of them are still stuck in the mud and you are looking at four to five years of college.
110
Plus, if you want to become a CPA, which is basically a high-level accountant, you are going to have to get certified.
111
And you can only get certified if you have a college degree.
112
Now, there are kind of loopholes to get around that and do it a lot faster.
113
For instance, you can go to a college like WGU.
114
I've talked about that extensively on my channel where you can get a degree much faster, but it's still a huge pain in the butt.
115
However, like I said before, it's easy to get started doing jobs such as bookkeeper, and you do not need a college degree to get into that.
116
Next, let's talk about the hours.
117
Especially in public accounting, the hours can be brutal.
118
We're talking 60 to 80 hour weeks during busy season.
119
And let's not forget about the stress.
120
When you're dealing with people's money, the pressure can be intense.
121
But here's the thing.
122
Every career has its downsides.
123
The question is, do the pros outweigh the cons for you?
124
Now let's talk about leveraging accounting for maximum freedom.
125
And this is where it gets exciting.
126
How can you use accounting to create the life that you want?
127
Option one, you can climb the corporate ladder.
128
You can start at a big firm, work your way up, maybe even become a partner.
129
And that's where the big bucks are.
130
You can also go into a higher level career, such as a financial controller.
131
And a lot of them make over $250,000 a year.
132
Option two, go solo, start your own practice, be your own boss, choose your clients.
133
Option three, become a consultant.
134
Use your skills to help businesses grow.
135
This can be high pay, flexible hours, and it can be very interesting work.
136
Usually it will require that you have quite a bit of work experience first, because no one's gonna hire you as a consultant if you don't,
137
and it also typically requires that you are a consultant in a very niche type of accounting or a niche industry.
138
Option four, financial independence.
139
Use your knowledge to invest wisely.
140
Use your knowledge to potentially start your own business and retire early.
141
Live on your terms.
142
The possibilities are endless.
143
And that, my friends, is true freedom.
144
Next, let's talk about if accounting is right for you.
145
And this is the million dollar question.
146
Is accounting the right path for you?
147
Ask yourself, do you enjoy problem solving?
148
Are you detail-oriented?
149
Do you like the idea of understanding the financial side of business?
150
Can you handle periods of high stress and long hours?
151
Does the potential for high earnings and job security appeal to you?
152
If you answered yes to most of these, accounting might be your ticket to freedom.
153
But remember, no career is perfect.
154
It's about finding the right fit for you.
155
And I think a really good way to dip your toe in
156
and see if it's right for you is to check out the free course from Course Careers, which I'll put down in the description and the pinned comment below.
157
Now let's talk about alternative paths to consider, because if accounting doesn't sound like your cup of tea, don't worry, there are other stealth wealth careers to consider.
158
For instance, data analysis is a really good one.
159
Also information technology, tech sales, human resources, et cetera, et cetera.
160
And all of those Course Careers actually does offer a free course, which you can check out down the description and the pinned comment below.
161
All right, freedom seekers, let's balance these books.
162
Is becoming an accountant worth it?
163
Well, like any good accountant would say, it depends.
164
If you're looking for a stable career with high earning potential, skills that are always in demand, flexibility to work in various settings, and the foundation for financial freedom, then yes, accounting could be your golden ticket.
165
But remember, no career is perfect.
166
It's about finding the right fit for you.
167
So if you're intrigued by what you've heard today, I encourage you to do more research, talk to accountants, shadow someone for a day, get a feel for what the job is really like.
168
And hey, if you found this video helpful, smash that like button and subscribe for more career changing content.
169
Now, if you want to know other remote jobs that are really good, I've actually made videos on that.
170
For instance, these seven remote jobs that are almost always hiring.
171
And you can check that out by clicking right here.
📺 Same Channel
B21
5 Claude AI Side Hustles You Can Do In Retirement
Business EnglishWorking Adults
B21
What Is Biomedical Engineering? (Is A Biomedical Engineering Degree Worth It?)
Daily ConversationUniversity Students
B2Is a Philosophy Degree Worth It?
Daily ConversationUniversity Students
B11
Here's Why Mechanical Engineering Is A Great Degree
Daily ConversationUniversity Students
✨ Recommend Video
B22
401 sentences
Why "Do What You Love" Is Keeping You Poor - Robert Kiyosaki
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B2274 sentences
17 Normal Jobs that People Actually Like
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B22
132 sentences
Are You Made For A Career In Consulting? | MBB and Big 4
Daily ConversationUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
B2257 sentences
How I Escaped Help Desk Fast (Step-by-Step)
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B2156 sentences
MENTALLY BEAT THE MARKETS IN 8 MINUTES
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B23
197 sentences
The Financial Habits No One Talks About (But Everyone Needs)
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B21
146 sentences
【English Podcast】Is a College Degree Still Worth It? — 4 Things to Consider
Daily ConversationUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
B2203 sentences
How I Became Financially Free Without Money
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B21
304 sentences
The Economics of Owning a Restaurant
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B21
237 sentences
This Is Boring But It Will Make You Scary Intelligent
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B22
80 sentences
Gary Stevenson: “I was obsessed with making money” | The Louis Theroux Podcast
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B24
82 sentences
I Quit My $250K Tech Job — Now I Make $33K Selling Matcha
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This video has 171 sentences and 2009 words to shadow. The speech runs for 8:44. The speaker talks fast, about 230 words per minute, so expect linked and reduced sounds. 85% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English; the rest is worth studying before you start.
Key vocabulary in this video
15 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| accountant noun | /əˈkaʊn.tənt/ | One who renders account; one accountable. |
| skill noun | /skɪl/ | A capacity to do something well; a technique, an ability, usually acquired or learned, as opposed to abilities that are regarded as innate. |
| consultant noun | /kənˈsʌl.tənt/ | A person or party that is consulted. |
| flexibility noun | /ˌflɛksɪˈbɪlɪti/ | The quality of being flexible, whether physically or metaphorically. |
| pin noun | /pɪn/ | A needle without an eye (usually) made of drawn-out steel wire with one end sharpened and the other flattened or rounded into a head, used for fastening. |
| dive verb | /daɪv/ | To swim under water. |
| remote adjective | /ɹəˈməʊt̞/ | At a distance; disconnected. |
| salary noun | /ˈsæləɹi/ | A fixed amount of money paid to a worker, usually calculated on a monthly or annual basis, not hourly, as wages. Implies a degree of professionalism and/or… |
| profession noun | /pɹəˈfɛʃ.ən/ | A promise or vow made on entering a religious order. |
| distress noun | /dɪˈstɹɛs/ | Physical or emotional discomfort, suffering, or alarm, particularly of a more acute nature. |
| niche noun | /nɪt͡ʃ/ | A cavity, hollow, or recess, generally within the thickness of a wall, for a statue, bust, or other erect ornament. |
| downside noun | /ˈdaʊnˌsaɪd/ | A disadvantageous aspect of something that is normally advantageous. |
| stealth noun | /stɛlθ/ | The attribute or characteristic of acting in secrecy, or in such a way that the actions are unnoticed or difficult to detect by others. |
| bonus noun | /ˈbəʊ.nəs/ | Something extra that is good; an added benefit. |
| formula noun | /ˈfɔː.mjʊ.lə/ | Any mathematical rule expressed symbolically. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| check out verb | To record the departure or withdrawal of someone or something (such as guests, employees, books, etc.). |
| find out verb | To discover, as by asking or investigating. |
| get around verb | To move to the other side of (something, such as an obstruction) by deviating from a direct course or following a curved path. |
| make over verb | To renovate or to convert to a different use, particularly houses, offices, or rooms within them. |
| stick around verb | To stay; to linger; to remain. |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 47 contractions and reduced forms, such as you're, we're, don't. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “th” sounds: stealth /stɛlθ/, theoretical /ˌθi.əˈɹɛt.ɪ.kəl/, stealthy /ˈstɛlθi/
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: profession /pɹəˈfɛʃ.ən/, potentially /pəˈtɛnʃ(ə)li/, crush /kɹʌʃ/, recession /ɹɪˈsɛʃn̩/, shadow /ˈʃædəʊ̯/
- Long words — get the stress right: flexibility /ˌflɛksɪˈbɪlɪti/, potentially /pəˈtɛnʃ(ə)li/, practically /ˈpɹæk.tɪ.k(ə.)li/, theoretical /ˌθi.əˈɹɛt.ɪ.kəl/, supposedly /səˈpoʊ̯.zɪd.li/
How to practise with this video
- Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
- Start at 0.75× speed, shadow it sentence by sentence, then go back to normal speed once it feels easy.
- Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like accountant, skill, consultant.
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | that's been · I've already thrown · I've interviewed |
| Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it | can be done · are still stuck |
| Relative clauses who / which + clause — extra information about a person or thing | guy who talks · CPA, which is |
What is the Shadowing Technique?
Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.