Gen Z is reviving this boring job that millennials and boomers abandoned-and it's helping them land six-figure careers straight out of college | Fortune

"Some 340,000 accountants have already left their calculators behind and quit in the past five years, and some estimates suggest that 75% of those remaining are expected to retire in the next decade. For a field that is often judged as less exciting than others (according to one study, it is the second-most-stereotyped job of boring people), the crisis couldn't get much worse."

"One was a goat farmer who had only a landline and no access to the internet. Another was a young woman who was financially supporting her sister. Kelley was able to help them obtain a life-changing $6,000 back in refunds. One of Kelley's peers, Tristan Klascius-a student studying accounting and finance-helped an older woman gain access to her much-needed Social Security income that she otherwise couldn't figure out."

Millions of retiring baby-boomer accountants have created a looming talent shortage as America's tax system grows more complex. 340,000 accountants quit in the past five years and estimates indicate 75% of the remaining workforce could retire within a decade. Contributing factors include IRS leadership turnover, tax-policy disputes, and professional burnout. Gen Z students are increasingly entering accounting pathways, gaining practical experience through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) programs. These students assist vulnerable taxpayers—recovering refunds and accessing benefits—and provide free tax help in partnership with the IRS, helping to mitigate short-term service gaps and saving Americans millions.

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