When CPA Gail Rosen met her husband in 1983, she was working as an accountant for Arthur Young. Some of their mutual friends were gathered in Central Park at a Simon and Garfunkel concert.
Rosen recalls the first words he spoke to her. “I hear you are an accountant. Are you as boring as all of the others?” he asked. The two have been happily married now for more than 30 years, so you can guess what her answer was.
Maybe you, too, have always had an image of accountants as uninteresting individuals—certainly not dating material. Well, there are a lot of folks out there who would beg to differ.
Whether you’re considering becoming an accountant or thinking about going to dinner with one, there are a few benefits you might want to know about. We connected with real accountants and their significant others to find out some of the little-known perks of having an accountant by your side.
Dating an accountant is great because …
1. They are detail oriented
Now this may not be on the top of your list of must-have qualities for your ideal partner, but you will soon start to see it pay off. Whether it’s remembering your birthday or when to test the smoke detectors, dating a detail-oriented person definitely has its advantages.
“They pay very close attention to detail,” says Nikki Kerns, wife of an accountant. “If we go get our hair done, they can tell and pay a complement.”
2. They clean up well
Maybe it’s not all that important, but you have to admit it’s nice being seen in public with a snazzy dresser. Kerns says her husband, along with most of his accounting friends, have “very good taste in clothing.”
3. They’re reliable
There’s nothing worse than dating someone who is constantly letting you down. You won’t have that problem when dating an accountant, according to Rosen. She says being reliable is in more than just their job description; it’s in their DNA.
“If I say that I will be there at a certain time or I will do something, you can count on it,” she promises.
4. They’re wise investors
Remember, it’s an accountant’s job to detect liabilities and calculate risk, so they know a wise investment when they see one. You should feel valuable knowing that an accountant chose you as a partner because they’ve likely weighed the risk and still found you well worth it.
Emily Barry is engaged to a certified public accountant (CPA) and says, “Since CPAs know when to make wise investments, I like to consider myself a wise investment.”
5. They’ll help you become more financially responsible
“Since CPAs know when to make wise investments, I like to consider myself a wise investment.”
Having a money-conscious mind always around you suddenly makes it harder to spend frivolously or make rash financial decisions. You’ll probably discover that it’s not just guilt holding you back from splurging. There’s a good chance that some smart spending habits that have rubbed off on you.
“I’ve never been good at sticking to a budget,” says Brittany Berger, who has been dating a CPA for six years. She admits that his “stupidly smart financial decisions” have made her think twice about silly splurges, which has had a positive effect on her bank account.
6. They’re in it for the long-haul
Accountants are no strangers to working long hours. They’re used to putting in extra time and forgoing sleep when a deadline must be met. Rosen says that, like herself, most accountants refuse to throw in the towel; when they make a decision, they’re committed to it. She attributes her long, healthy marriage partially to the dedication she’s acquired from being an accountant.
7. They’re overly organized
Accountants work with many moving pieces to ensure financially flawless documents. They never let things fall through the cracks, especially those things that others may put off or even forget.
“There is no doubt you can count on us to be organized,” ensures Rosen. Whether it’s paying bills, meeting deadlines or searching to find the best price available before a purchase, accountants are organized individuals.
8. They come in handy during tax season
Most people would rather pull their own teeth out than attempt to do their own taxes. Only slightly less agonizing is footing the bill for someone else to do them for you. Berger affirms that those who are dating an accountant can bypass both of these situations because their significant other can take care of the dirty work.
Crunch the numbers
If you were already intrigued by a career in accounting, you’re probably even more interested after scanning this list. But knowing how datable you’d be in this position isn’t exactly the information you need to make an educated decision.
Your first step is to dig a little deeper by learning more about the industry. Check out the pros and cons of an accounting career to determine if it’s a good fit for you!
Do you know an accountant who would enjoy this article? Be sure to share it with them—and don't forget to check out this gift guide for accountants if you're looking for ways to show your appreciation.
