I did accounting (actually bookkeeping) in high school, as did almost all my school-mates, and it is a very useful skill to have. From understanding debit and credit on a bank statement, to being able to read a balance sheet, accounting is a powerful tool in day-to-day life. South Africa has a bit of an accounting fetish (Chartered Accountants are the gods of the business world here), but it certainly is useful to know the rudiments.

We hear about coding being the "new literacy". I am sceptical, but if coding is the "new literacy" then basic accounting knowledge is equally important, in my opinion.