You Decide: How much education is necessary for an accountant?

You are at your family reunion when some relatives start asking you about your studies and plans after school. Upon learning your intentions to be an accountant, everyone was alarmed that it took five to six years to get a master’s degree in accounting. Your uncle says, “All you have to do is go to a computer store and pick up a copy of QuickBooks.

Computers do everything these days. The computer will do all the work and you can collect a paycheck!” Is five to six years too much time and effort to prepare to be an accountant, or is it necessary?