Accountancy is a vital profession that keeps businesses and individuals financially healthy. It’s not the most glamorous career path but it takes a sharp mind and a strong work ethic to be good at it. Interestingly there are a number of celebrities who were once on the path to becoming accountants before destiny took them elsewhere.
1. Mick Jagger
Mick Jagger, the lead singer of the Rolling Stones, is known for his stage presence and voice. But before he was belting out hits like “Satisfaction” and “Jumpin’ Jack Flash”, Jagger was studying accounting and finance at the London School of Economics (LSE) on a scholarship. He was a dedicated student but the allure of rock and roll was too strong and Jagger left LSE after just one year to pursue his musical passion. The rest is history.
2. Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson, one of the biggest pop stars of all time, has an unexpected connection to accounting. Before joining the Jackson family business and launching her solo career, Janet studied accounting. She’s even been quoted as saying “If I wasn’t singing I’d probably be an accountant”. It’s a testament to her talent and determination that she made it in music but it’s also fun to think what would have been if she had chosen a different path.
3. Bob Newhart
Bob Newhart, the comedian whose deadpan delivery has been making us laugh for decades, was also an accountant. Before he became a stand-up legend and sitcom star, Newhart was drafted into the US Army during the Korean War. After his service he worked as an accountant at USG Corporation. Accounting wasn’t his true calling but it probably gave him some good life experiences he later drew upon in his comedy career.
4. Venus Williams
Venus Williams, a tennis champion for over 20 years, has an accounting connection. Williams studied Business Administration at Indiana University and accounting was probably part of her curriculum. She’s said “accounting almost killed me”. Thankfully she persisted and went on to be great on the tennis court. Her business degree has probably been handy in managing her career and business ventures outside of tennis.
5. Kenny G
Kenny G, the smooth jazz saxophonist behind the hits, is another celebrity with an accounting background. Before selling over 75 million records and becoming a household name, Kenny G studied accounting at the University of Washington. He credits his accounting background for helping him manage his finances in the early days of his music career. A valuable lesson for any musician, financial literacy is key to navigating the music industry.
6. John Grisham
John Grisham, author of the legal thrillers loved by millions, has an accounting background. He got a degree in accounting and was a tax lawyer. It was during that time he became fascinated with the legal system and the courtroom. That fascination led him to become a writer and his accounting background shows up in his plots and characters.
Here are just a few examples of people who were accountants before they became famous. Their stories prove there’s no one way to get to the top. Whether you want to be in music, comedy, sports or writing an accounting background can give you skills and knowledge that can apply to any career.
Accounting teaches discipline, organization and attention to detail. Those are skills that can be applied to any profession. Plus understanding financial concepts is important for managing your own finances no matter what career you choose. Even celebrities with millions of dollars understand financial statements and investments are key to long term financial security. So next time you think of accountants don’t just picture someone crunching numbers in a cube. Accountants are everywhere and they may even be the celebrities you idolize. Their stories are a reminder that success can come from anywhere and the skills you learn in one field can be valuable in another.
Conclusion
Accounting may seem a world away from the celebrity world. But the truth is these two worlds have more in common than you think. The celebrities who were accountants before they became famous are proof that the skills learned in this field are versatile. From financial literacy to organizational skills an accounting background can be an asset for anyone no matter what career you choose. So next time you think of accounting remember it might just lead you to unexpected success even if that path doesn’t involve a spreadsheet or a cube.
If you’re looking to kickstart or progress an accounting career, why not register for free to see what resources and exam prep materials are offered at Learnsignal.
Sources
Photo 1 – https://www.wsj.com/articles/mick-jagger-and-moonlight-mile-1432735648
Text 1 – https://hayhursts.net/ten-famous-celebrities-trained-accountants/
Photo 2- https://sublime.nl/janet-jackson-ontvangt-icon-award-op-de-billboard-music-awards/
Text 2 – https://www.accountingtoday.com/slideshow/10-celebrity-almost-cpas
Photo 3 – https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/bob-newhart-show-television-academy-event-conan-obrien-1202520811/
Text 3- https://www.topaccountingdegrees.org/celebrity-accountants/
Photo 4 – https://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2018/10/venus-willims-2018-saw-reversal-fortune/77457/
Photo 5 – https://time.com/4752790/kenny-g-delta-jazz/
Photo 6 – https://www.aarp.org/entertainment/television/info-2018/john-grisham-innocent-man-netflix.html
