6 Career Options in the Accounting Industry

3 Career Options IN THE ACCOUNTING INDUSTRY A degree in accounting allows you to further your career options and open new doors to an exciting future. Learn more about just some of the possibilities available to you with an accounting degree. ALL ABOUT ACCOUNTING Median annual wage, 2010: $61,690 Median annual wage of all occupations, 2010: Projected job growth for accountants and auditors, 2010-2020 $33,840 16% $0 $100,000 A Master's in Accounting is the most popular master's degree for CPA positions Accountants with master's 13% degrees may a see starting salary 10-20% Master's in Taxation higher than those with just undergrad degrees 75% of grads hired had this degree 12% MBA in Accounting 1) TAX PREPARER Job growth, 2010-2020 (all tax preparers): Provides information for and/or assists in the preparation of tax returns 10% Advises clients on compliance with tax regulations Mean annual wage (about as fast as average) (all tax preparers): Median annual wage (all tax preparers): $35,520 $29,420 $0 $100,000 2) AUDITING CLERK Job growth, 2010-2020 (all bookkeepers, Verifies figures, postings, and documents for accuracy accountants, and Fixes or makes note of errors so auditing clerks): accountants can correct Mean annual wage (all bookkeepers, accountants, and auditing clerks): Median annual wage: (all 14% bookkeepers, accountants, and auditing clerks): $35,170 $36,640 (about as fast as average) $0 $100,000 3) CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT (CPA) Fills a variety of functions, including accounting, auditing, taxes, and consulting May work for corporations, governments, Beyond education, certification is also required and individuals Mean annual wage (all accountants and auditors): $71,040 Median annual wage: $59,390 $0 $100,000 4) FORENSIC ACCOUNTANT Aids law enforcement, businesses, or individuals in complex or criminal financial matters by evaluating financial records Must have excellent attention to detail and legal-proof confidence in their work Job growth, 2010-2020 (all accountants and auditors): Mean annual wage Median annual wage: 20% $72,000 Forensic accountants Median annual wage: without CFE: Forensic accountants "CFE (Certified Fruvd Exuminer) with CFE: (about as fast as average) $74,000 $107,000 $0 $100,000 5) FINANCIAL ANALYST Job growth, 2010-2020: 23% Helps companies decide how to invest; may review stocks, debts, companies, mergers, and takeovers Work involves meetings, phone calls, and strict deadlines (faster than average) Mean annual wage: $89,410 Median annual wage: $76,950 $0 $100,000 6) CONTROLLER Job growth, 2010-2020 (all financial managers): Oversees preparation of an organization's financial reports, including investments and raising capital May create financial plans for mergers and acquisitions (slower than average, but faster than all management occupations) annual wage (all financial managers): $123,260 Median annual wage: $109,740 $0 $100,000 Interested in furthering your career? An online Master of Science in Accounting from New England College could be just what you need to reach your goals. SOURCES: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Business-and-Financial/Accountants-and-auditors.htm http://www.businessadministrationinformation.com/degrees/earning-a-masters-in-accounting-can-be-important-to-your-career http://www.aicpa.org/InterestAreas/AccountingEducation/NewsAndPublications/DownloadableDocuments/2009 TrendsReport.pdf http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Certified_Public_Accountant_(CPA)/Salary http://www.bls.gov/k12/moneyoz.htm http://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/financial-analysts.htrm http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes132051.htm http://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/financial-managers.htmfftab-2 http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oesi13031.htm http://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/bookkeeping-accounting-and-auditing-clerks.htm http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes433031.htm http://work.chron.com/tax-consultant-15294.html http://www.bls.gov/ooh/About/Data-for-Occupations-Not-Covered-in-Detail.htm http://www.bls.gov/oes/2008/may/oes132082.htm http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Business-and-Financial/Accountants-and-auditors.htm http://www.indeed.com/salary?qı=Forensic+Accountant&lı= http://www.acfe.com/uploadedFiles/ACFE_Website/Content/documents/2010-comp-guide.pdf