Can I, an introvert, succeed in accounting?

Or do you need a more extroverted personality to work in accounting at a big firm?

I can talk to people and make friends and stuff but I'm not that chatty and I am more of the reserved type who gets on with their work.

Reply 1

Trapz99

The big four can be quite political so you'll need to make your voice heard and try to be social and outgoing but you can survive there as an introvert if you make some effort to talk to people and build relationships with clients.

Reply 2

Ladbants

You'll need to be social but you can still do that while being an introvert, just have to put yourself out there.

Reply 3

username1539513

Original post by squish562

Isn't accounting basically made for introverts?

Reply 4

Ladbants

Not really, both extroverts and introverts work in accounting. Accounting at a big4 tends to have more extroverted personalities.

Reply 5

Fred5134

You would think so, but the top of many different fields are dominated by the loudmouth, speak first think later personality type. You will need to be able to play the political game and know how to defend yourself, unfortunately.

Reply 6

citibankrec

No not really, sen managers and above are very loud and extroverted

Reply 7

cdude

Most accountants I've met are introverted. You'll do fine. Don't worry about it.

Reply 8

citibankrec

Original post by cdude

Most accountants I've met are introverted. You'll do fine. Don't worry about it.

really? I was on a insight week and all the people i met were very extroverted

Reply 9

Phusion

Yep. Extroversion is overrated anyway. There's more business development focus in big4 these days (mostly M/SM and above) but you can easily move into a different role or company by then.
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Original post by citibankrec

really? I was on a insight week and all the people i met were very extroverted

Sampling error. You get a certain type of staff signing up for those events; people like me who need a break from the office, think it's a brilliant opportunity to meet new people, and don't mind speaking to crowds.