What It's Really Like to Work in Accounting: Insights from ACCA Students

21 Jul 2026

5 Min Read

Taylor's Team (Editor)

IN THIS ARTICLE

For students considering accounting, it's natural to wonder what working in the profession is really like. Beyond technical knowledge and examinations, what does the day-to-day work involve, and what do employers expect from future accountants?

To help answer these questions, 40 Taylor's College ACCA students recently visited PwC Malaysia, one of the world's leading professional services firms, where they gained first-hand exposure to a Big Four working environment. From touring the office and meeting professionals to learning about different career pathways, the visit gave students a closer look at how accounting is practised and the skills required in the profession

Seeing Accounting in Practice

The visit began with an introduction to PwC Malaysia, where students learnt about the firm's background, core values and professional services across audit and assurance, tax and consulting. This provided useful context before they stepped into the workplace itself.

During the office tour, students observed how accountants collaborate across teams, communicate with clients and use technology to support their work. Exploring PwC's collaborative workspaces gave students a better understanding of how teamwork, communication and adaptability come together in a professional services firm.

For Chen Shi Ting, the experience provided a clearer picture of the working environment in a professional accounting firm while helping her better understand the expectations and culture within the industry.

Another highlight was hearing PwC professionals share their own career journeys and daily responsibilities. Rather than focusing only on their achievements, they also spoke openly about the challenges they had encountered and how they had grown throughout their careers.

According to Shi Ting, these real-life experiences made the industry feel more relatable and gave her a more realistic understanding of both the challenges and rewards of working in accounting

What It Takes to Succeed in Accounting

Q&A session with PwC Malaysia professionals

Alongside technical expertise, the sharing sessions highlighted the importance of communication, teamwork, adaptability and professionalism. The professionals explained how these qualities help accountants collaborate with colleagues, build relationships with clients and respond to changing business needs.

For Ooi Jia Chun, one of the key takeaways was the importance of developing these soft skills alongside technical accounting knowledge.

The visit concluded with a Q&A session, where students actively engaged with the professionals by asking questions about internships, recruitment processes and career progression. The discussions offered valuable insights into employers' expectations while helping students connect what they learn in the classroom with the realities of the profession.

Preparing for a Career That Continues to Evolve

Students get to ask more questions during the sharing session

One message came through consistently during the visit: learning does not stop after graduation. The PwC professionals encouraged students to continue developing both their technical knowledge and personal capabilities throughout their careers.

This same commitment to continuous improvement can also be seen in the journey of Choo Bao Jian, who achieved first in Malaysia and fourth worldwide for the ACCA FIA Managing Costs and Finance paper. Looking back, he attributed his achievement to maintaining discipline through a consistent study plan and regular practice, both of which helped him perform well in his examinations.

For Jia Chun, one piece of advice stood out above the rest: to continue learning and improving, not only academically but also personally.

By the end of the visit, students had gained a broader understanding of what working in accounting involves, from the technical knowledge required to the collaboration, communication and adaptability expected in the workplace. Experiences like this complement classroom learning by giving students the opportunity to interact with professionals, explore a Big Four working environment and better understand the opportunities an ACCA qualification can open in the future.

Curious about where an ACCA qualification can take you?

Explore the ACCA programme at Taylor's College and discover how classroom learning, industry exposure and professional insights work together to prepare you for a career in accounting.

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