Accountant Careers

Accounting Career Overview

Accounting degrees can lead to a variety of different careers, and two of the most common are accountants and auditors. Accountants and auditors make sure that businesses are run efficiently, and they do so by providing the businesses with important financial information as well as by keeping very accurate records.

On a day-to-day basis, accounting usually includes bookkeeping, such as the tracking of expenses and revenue, payroll, and paying bills. Accountants are also responsible for

• preparing balance sheets
• profit and loss statements
• financial reports
• analyze trends, costs, revenues, and financial commitments

Accounting professionals are increasingly becoming highly valuable members of business teams because they had understand the company's financial position better than anyone else in the company. Accounting professionals who become auditors closely look at the financial data and procedures to make sure that a company is in compliance with all government guidelines and tax laws.

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Accounting Training & Education

A degree is a must for all would-be accountants. To get an accounting job, you must have an accounting degree or training in the field or a related subject from an accredited institution. Earning a degree in Accounting while you work can help you quickly climb the ladder of success. Some employers may even pay a portion of your educational costs.

Future accountants should also seek professional recognition through associations in order to boost their chances of being hired. CPAs (Certified Public Accountants) are accountants who have been licensed by their state.

Almost all states now require additional coursework to become a CPA. CPA candidates must pass an extremely difficult test in order to get their license. Only 25% of people who take the test each year are able to pass all parts.

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Accounting Career and Salary Outlook

Employment in the field of accounting is expected to grow at a faster than normal rate through the year 2014. As the economy grows, there is a greater need for accountants to keep track of all their money.

In addition to this, recent accounting scandals have increased the need for financial scrutiny within corporations. It is also expected that a large number of positions will be opening up due to retirement in the next 10 years.

The median salary for a new accountant is $36,263, while an account who has a few years of experience may make $52,019. The more experience an accountant receives the more they should expect to earn. The top 10% of accountants are earning over $80,000. In addition to this, many company presidents, CEOs, and other high level executives have a background in accounting.

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Career Fields/Specializations

Bookkeeper Career

As the job sounds, a bookkeeper is in charge of keeping the books. They perform general accounting duties including maintaining financial records, keeping track of accounts, entering payments and deposits into budgeting software, and preparing financial statements or records. They could work for large corporations, small businesses, or even individuals.

Auditing Clerk Career

The job duties of an auditing clerk involve verifying the accuracy of other employees' figures, calculations, and statements. For example, they will check to make sure that all of the expenses listed on an expense account are legitimate and make sure that everyone is getting the proper commissions. Auditing clerks should have a keen eye for detail, since they are trying to catch other people's mistakes.

Tax Accountant Career

A tax accountant will keep the tax records and prepare all necessary tax forms, either for an individual or a company. They are responsible for filing taxes at the local, state, and federal government levels. They may advise a company's decision makers about the tax related impact of certain decisions. Tax accountants should be well organized and detail oriented.

Controller Career

The Controller is in charge of a company's budget and financial resources. They determine all the accounting practices for the company. They should prepare quarterly financial reports and make suggestions as to how the company could perform better financially. A controller should have at least seven years of accounting experience and the ability to find and solve problems.

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