Analyzes,
prepares and evaluate financial information before advising clients on the
financial state of their businesses. Accounting job field is broad and has many
specializations that require their own job description. An accountant may also
choose to specialize in other areas of accountancy such as:
Auditing: An auditor examines accounting
records and gives opinion on the financial position of the company and the
results of its operations.
Accounting: Pure accounting
involves the preparation of financial statements, giving advice on accounting
systems, budgets, management information, cash flows and on improving profits.
Taxation: The tax specialist
gives expert advice on tax matters including tax and estate planning, examining
computations and designing methods of tax savings.
Legal Matters: This covers the
financial and taxation implications of contracts, leases and hire purchase
advice on and interpretation of company and closed corporation law, and
administration of deceased and insolvent estates.
Finance: The expert in this field
gives advice in planning and arranging finances, including capital budgeting,
mergers and acquisitions, raising capital or loans, cash projections, decisions
regarding the purchase of assets and investment management.
Management: This includes
administration, financial and various other aspects of general business
management. Also called a cost accountant, managerial accountant, industrial
accountant, corporate accountant, or private account, accountant manager,
management accountant. Etc.
Information Technology: The
specialist in this field is concerned with electronic information processing,
financial modeling and advising on the acquisition of computer hardware and
software as well as the design and implementation of computerized information
systems.
In addition to specialization, all companies in most countries - including
small concerns - have to be audited annually; there would be many different
types of businesses and industries which would offer a wide variety of
interests to an accountant. One week an accountant might be auditing a
multi-million dollar company and the next a concern which specialized in stage
productions. In this case the accountant need to be a CPA - Certified Public
Accountant.
Computers are now an important part of most businesses and professions so the
accountant would have to be computer literate. An interest and knowledge of the
latest information concerning taxation, financial management, company law,
politics and marketing is also needed by an accountant.
Good communication skills and tact are helpful because much of accountant
work would be done in the offices of clients. If the accountant became part of
an audit team, they would have to be
able to get along with your fellow accountants.
Accountants including internal accountants should also be prepared to travel as many companies have
international offices and even local companies sometimes have many offices in
different parts of the country.
Employment Opportunities
Government, Self employment, Most Public companies and businesses, Banks,
Accounting and Auditing firms, Finance services providers, Private companies
and private businesses.
Expanding
Opportunities for the 21st Century
More companies and businesses establishments will grow
faster in future and therefore more accountants jobs are opening up to fill the
more need for auditing and management. Many people also need financial advice
and banking services.
Earning
Accountants can earn approximately $25,000 to $70,000
or more. Factors affecting earnings include the particular industry the
individual is working in, the specific employment setting, and location. Other
factors include experience, education, and responsibilities.
Generally, the more experience and education
individuals have, the higher their earnings. Salaries will be higher for
individuals working in metropolitan areas than they are for their counterparts
in less urban areas.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
The minimum recommended education for an Accountant is
a bachelor's degree. Some positions prefer postgraduate degrees. Required
majors for accountant differ from job to job. Accountants may have degrees in Commerce,
Accounting, Finance and banking, computer information systems, data processing,
or information science. Other individuals have degrees in business management,
or applied mathematics with an emphasis in accounting.
No matter what the degree, Accountants must have
courses in management, accounting and legal matters.
Continuing education in the field is necessary to keep
up with new technology. Many employers sponsor classes and training programs.
In addition, software vendors, professional societies, and trade associations
offer a variety of classes, seminars, and workshops.
EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
Accounting experience is usually necessary to get a job
as an Accountant. Individuals can obtain needed experience working as accountants.
While it is not a requirement, Accountant can be
certified by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) for
Certification of Certified Public Account (CPA). In order to obtain this
credential, they must pass a number of examinations. Individuals who hold the Certified
Public Accountant (CPA) credential may be preferred for positions as it
indicates experience and professional competency. Another voluntary
certification is offered by the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute (CFA) and the Association of Chartered
Certified Accountants(ACCA). In order to hold the designation Certified
Public Account (CPA), individuals must complete certain education and experience
requirements, pass an examination, and endorse a code of ethics.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Individuals
interested in accounting career can obtain additional information by contacting
the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), Chartered Financial
Analyst Institute (CFA) and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
TIPS
Large cities often host employment agencies
specializing in accounting-related positions.
Newspapers and job websites regularly advertise job
openings in this field. Look in the jobs websites and in the classified section
of the paper under "Accounting," "Accountant,"
"Manager," "Director," "Controller," "Analyst"
"Specialist" "Clerk" "Supervisor" "Auditors," "Cost accountants," "Senior
accountant," "Accounting clerk,"
"Assistant accountant," "Cash Manager,"
"Bookkeeper," "Fund accountant," "Financial Director" "Junior Accountant" "Credit
Analyst" Business Analyst" "Tax Specialist" "Internal Auditor" "Payroll Clerk"
"Billing Supervisor" or specific industry names.
Jobs are advertised in trade journals. In addition to Accounting
or IT-related trade journals, consider industry journals.
The placement offices of colleges and universities
offering degrees in Accounting related areas are usually notified of job
openings.
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