Expert Advice for Young Accountants from Seth Fineberg

Young accountants are entering a profession that has been transformed by technology, automation, and rising client expectations. Firms now expect more than just technical accuracy; they value adaptability, effective communication, and the ability to transform financial data into actionable business insights.  

Accountants ask about the skills that matter most today and how they stay relevant. What mindset accelerates growth in the early years of their career? 

Ace Cloud Hosting spoke with Seth Fineberg, an accounting industry consultant, content strategist, and speaker. With over 30 years of experience following the profession’s evolution, Seth has seen firsthand how firms are reshaping their services to stay relevant and responsive to client needs. 

Before founding Accountants Forward, he spent decades as a business editor and journalist, helping the accounting community understand key trends and innovations shaping the industry. 

In this expert Q&A, Seth Fineberg shares his best advice for young accountants, from essential early-career habits to the opportunities that will define the next era of the profession. 

You’ve spent years researching trends in the accounting profession. From your perspective, what are the biggest shifts young accountants need to understand as they enter the field today? 

I’d say that, for the most part, they have options coming out of college or going into accounting; they don’t have to follow the same path.

While plenty still begin their careers at a Big 4 or large firm, only to work long hours for pay that is not on par with other professional service careers, more are finding their career paths can also be at smaller, or more niche-type firms that welcome young talent and have training and mentoring as a priority.  

There are also more options for those who are tech or marketing savvy to get into an accounting firm, as those skills and knowledge sets are in high demand at the firm level. 

You’ve talked to hundreds of CPAs and firm leaders over the years. What common traits have you noticed among those who succeed early in their careers? 

Honestly, the ones I see most successful are those willing to embrace change, even stay ahead of the so-called curve, and adopt a more entrepreneurial attitude towards what accounting is and can be.

It’s not possible to be entirely proactive without incurring a high degree of risk, but those who can strike a balance of measured yet forward-thinking planning tend to do their best.  

Also, this has been for a while now; those who develop a specialty or knowledge set in a specific field, like serving dental practices, restaurants, hospitality, etc. Whatever it is, the phrase goes “There are riches in the niches,” and it holds true today. 

The accounting profession often struggles to attract and retain young talent. What do you think firms should do differently to engage the next generation? 

Attracting and retaining are, in fact, two different things, and these days, attracting is the greater challenge, as I see it. Even if you do earn an accounting degree, there’s still an impression, and in some cases the reality, that you will indeed work long hours and at a pay level not on par with other professional careers.  

As such, many are graduating and helping startups and young businesses, or even established businesses, and guiding their success. The narrative to attract talent at the firm level needs to change from not “telling a better story” but “having a better story to tell.” 

Show how working at your firm is indeed different, challenging, and rewarding, and how it offers opportunities to make an impact not only on the firm and their careers, but also on the businesses they serve.  

After all, those who go into accounting have a drive to want to help, and leaning into that, as well as showing the firm is on trend and with the times, offers flexibility and modern technology, all the bells and whistles, or at least some of them. 

Technology is reshaping how accountants work, from automation to AI-driven insights. How do you see technology influencing the skills and mindset young professionals need to develop? 

As I mentioned, young professionals and even those who are establishing themselves in accounting want to work with tools that not only cut down production time but also make them better professionals. Not that a firm needs to have the latest and greatest of everything, but at least a sense of what is happening and available in the market, and be willing to try new tool sets.  

That willingness is a factor that makes you a firm a young professional would want to even consider working at. And yes, it does play to the mindset of a firm that is willing to invest in more modern platforms and the training to keep up. 

You’ve been at the intersection of journalism, data, and accounting leadership. What lessons from your own journey would you share with someone just starting out in the profession? 

This may sound trite, but I would say do not be afraid to lean in. Come as your true, professional self and know that even though you are just starting out, you are very much a part of that firm’s culture and direction.  

You may not yet hold the title or even have the confidence of someone who’s been in the field for some time, but your willingness to show your value as well as your willingness to listen, absorb, and actually be taught along the way will take you further than you can know. Be humble, patient, and present. 

What Does It Take to Build a Future-Ready Accounting Career? 

For young accountants, the path forward is more than technical knowledge; it’s about developing the mindset, adaptability, and curiosity needed to grow with a rapidly changing profession.

Seth Fineberg emphasizes that those who embrace technology, communicate effectively, and stay engaged with industry trends will be best positioned to advance, add value, and build lasting careers. 

At Ace Cloud Hosting, we support both emerging and experienced accounting professionals with secure, scalable cloud solutions, including hosting accounting applications such as QuickBooks, as well as providing fully managed virtual desktops, managed IT services, and AI-powered cybersecurity services. Our goal is to help teams work smarter, collaborate effectively, and stay prepared for the future accounting trends.  

What steps are you taking to strengthen your accounting career? Share your thoughts in the comments.