Prior to Shah's decision to push out higher-quality content, including beauty and make-up tutorials, she had about 5,000 Instagram followers, which quickly doubled to 10,000 in the early months of the pandemic.
Now, she has over 38,000 followers on Instagram and about 70,000 on TikTok.
The content creator, who did not share which Big Four firm she previously worked for, also opened up about her parents' reaction in a Business Insider interview:
"It was terrifying and I'm still very scared," she told Insider. At first her parents didn't understand the potential of social media. "It was a huge relief for them knowing that I have a foundation to fall back on and the worst case scenario is I can get another job."
Shah also noted that her background has helped her in her new career as a social media influencer:
"It helps that I know basic tax and accounting rules and a way to track profit and loss and expenses. I'm a finance girl and nerd so it was second nature to look at how much profit I was making."
Shah's goal has been to replace her income with her newfound social media job, and her journey is one that could inspire other accountants as well, even though many of her followers in the industry initially balk at her choice to leave a secure, stable role for the uncertainty of social media.
Even if you aren't looking to leave a lucrative career at one of the Big Four accounting firms -- Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Ernst & Young (EY), and Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler (KPMG) -- there is something to be said for considering a "side hussle" doing something you love.
Even before Shah made influencing her full-time career, she noted that it helped alleviate some of the mental stress she felt at times in the tax and accounting world.
Her story is one that might inspire other CPAs of all ages to express themselves outside of the office. Visit Tanvi Shah's Instagram page to see more of her content.
About Rebekah Barton
Rebekah's search engine optimization career began completely by accident as a college student. Over the course of her career so far, she has "grown up" with the SEO industry, from writing content while juggling classes to managing her own teams of writers and overseeing SEO strategy in subsequent roles. She is excited to bring her passion for high-quality content to CountingWorks, Inc.
Outside of work, Rebekah can be found doing yoga, shopping, watching the Indianapolis Colts, or spending time with her two young daughters. A lifelong Disney and Star Wars fan, she alternates between wishing she lived in Beast's castle or was making the Kessel Run in the Millennium Falcon.
