John Summit: From Big Four Auditor to Global DJ Superstar
Who is the most famous accountant in the world? It might be a DJ named John Summit.
If you’re even a casual fan of electronic music, you’ve heard his tracks. With 12 million monthly listeners on Spotify and over 2 billion streams, Summit doesn't just play clubs — he sells out stadiums and headlines Coachella, EDC, and Tomorrowland.
But before he was a global superstar, John Summit was a Big Four auditor.
From the Big Four to the Big Stage
Summit’s story begins in Chicago at Ernst & Young. He was an auditor by day and a DJ by night and weekend. His starting salary? $65,000.
He eventually did what thousands of accountants daydream about during every grueling busy season: He hit Control + Escape.
A Soundtrack for Your Cubicle
Summit doesn’t hide his past; he leans into it. His new album, CTRL ESCAPE, is a conceptual love letter to exiting corporate life. Even the release strategy is designed for the cubicle class: he’s dropping a new track every Wednesday because, as he puts it, “as a former accountant I know how much hump days fkn suck.”
The album is set to drop on Tax Day (April 15). The cover art features Summit sitting atop office ceiling panels, looking like he just escaped a fluorescent-lit underworld to find his freedom.
Out of the Cubicle, Into the Light
The first single, “LIGHTS GO OUT,” is a visual treat for anyone who has ever worked in a cubicle. In the music video, Summit dons a brown suit and striped tie while lounging in a rolling chair.
Keep an eye out for these specific details in the video:
The Desktop: A vintage CRT monitor and a standard desk phone.
The Tools: A classic 10-key calculator and stacks of paper files.
The Mug: A coffee mug that reads “Summit CPAs.”
The Transition: The beat drops, and the office transforms into a strobe-filled rave.
Get your Summit CPA swag
My favorite part might be the merch.
John Summit is selling the kind of swag that an accounting firm gives to its staff. Grab a Summit CPAs drawstring bag, pen, and sticker, plus an album t-shirt at johnsummitmerch.com.
You can also pick up a John Summit “Express Tax Services” tee.
Yes, He Was a Real CPA
I had to verify the credentials. Under his given name, John Schuster, he held an Illinois CPA license that was active in 2018 and expired in 2022.
It makes sense. When you’re touring the globe, the last thing you want to do is scramble for Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits. But John, if you’re reading this: think of the flex.
The John Summit Challenge: Reactivate Your License
John, imagine the power move of reactivating that CPA license. Not because you need it, but because you can.
John, next time you're 'rawdogging' a 16-hour international flight with just the flight map, imagine how you could be knocking out a huge chunk of your annual CPE requirement. Earmark is built for touring DJs (and busy auditors) who need to learn on the go without being tethered to a desk.
More Than Just a Fun Fact
What makes John Summit so refreshing isn't just the music — it's the relatability. He isn't a "manufactured" star; he’s a guy who worked a "boring" job, felt the same grind we all feel, and used that discipline to build an empire.
Summit’s success is also a reminder that the discipline and "hustle" learned in accounting can be a launchpad for almost anything. He proved that you can survive the grind and come out the other side as a superstar.
John Summit is, hands down, the best PR the accounting profession has had in decades.
