10 people who trained to be in finance that you didn't know about!

Bookkeeping or a place in an accounts team can lead to many job roles in the finance industry. It can also lead you to places you might not expect. e-Careers lists 10 people that you didn't know trained to be in finance. Some names you may recognise, some you may not!

1. John Grisham

The bestselling writer, attorney, politician and activist may be best known for his popular legal thrillers, but he also has a BS degree in accounting. He graduated from Mississippi State University in 1977. Grisham has gone on to sell over 275 million books worldwide, translated into 42 languages.

2. Eddie Izzard

Stand-up comedian, actor and political activist Izzard is the son of an accountant and studied to be one himself at the University of Sheffield. His accounting career did not come to fruition. But, he has gone on to become one of the most well-known and recognisable British comedians of recent times.

3. Robert Plant

Plant is best known as the lead singer and lyricist of rock band Led Zeppelin. He trained to be a chartered accountant, leaving after only two weeks to attend college in an attempt to gain more GCE’s and become part of the Midlands blues scene. Now 69 years young and revered as one of the greatest lead singers of all time, it’s safe to say that Plant doesn’t regret his transition.

 4. Mick Jagger

One of the most influential frontmen in the history of rock. Jagger studied accounting and finance at the London School of Economics. It was around this time that he became close to childhood friend Keith Richards. He didn't last a year at LSE before getting involved in rock and roll and defining the sound of a generation. He received a knighthood for his services to popular music in 2003.

 5. John D. Rockefeller

Considered to be the wealthiest American of all time and the richest person in modern history, Rockefeller became an assistant bookkeeper at the age of 16 before entering a business partnership aged 20. At his peak, he controlled 90% of all oil in the United States of America. He had a rumoured peak net worth of around $336 billion after inflation adjustments. Look what he achieved from humble Assistant Bookkeeper beginnings!

 6. J. P. Morgan

The famous banker started his career as an Accountant on Wall Street. He was left with the family business interests including J.P. Morgan & Co and Morgan Jr after his father's death. Morgan played a big role in financing the Allied Forces in World War I, loaning a total of $512,000,000 to Russia, France and Britain combined.

 7. Josiah Wedgewood

OK, so the famous potter didn’t actually study to be an Accountant or Bookkeeper, but he did invent “Cost Accounting”. He needed to find a way to track bottom line costs and profit which he would use to determine the costs of his product and how much money he could make. He was one of only a few hundred potters to survive the depression. He is credited with the industrialisation of the manufacture of pottery. Another fun fact, he’s the grandfather of Charles Darwin.

 8. Chuck Liddell

Before he became one of the most recognisable faces in mixed martial arts history, Liddell graduated from California Polytechnic State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Business/Accounting in 1995. It was at “Cal Poly” where Liddell became a Division I wrestler, combining this with his knowledge of Koei-Kan karate and training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu to join the UFC. He made his debut three years after graduating in 1998.

 9. Arthur Blank

American businessman and co-founder of The Home Depot, the USA’s largest home improvement retailer, Blank graduated from Babson College in 1963 with a B.S. degree in business administration and accounting. Shortly after graduating, he landed a job with Arthur Young and Company where he was a Senior Accountant. Today, he is the Chairman, President and CEO of AMB Group LLC, parent company of NFL franchise the Atlanta Falcons and MLS team Atlanta United.

 10. Kenny G

The best-selling instrumental musician in modern history, Kenneth Gorelick sold more than 75 million records worldwide. Kenny graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in accounting. Kenny credits his degree with helping him to arrange his finances early on in his career.

e-Careers offer courses in accounting and bookkeeping for any level of knowledge or experience, so we will help to boost your career, no matter what stage you're at.