7 Career Options for the Aspiring Accountant

7 CAREER OPTIONS F the Aspiring Accountant Accountant and auditor positions typically require a bachelor's degree in accounting, business, economics, or a similar field. Certifications such as the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation and/or more job-specific certifications are highly desirable – in some cases, they are required. Once aspiring accountants fulfill these qualifications, what jobs should they look for? JOB GROWTH 16% for all accountants and auditors from 2010 - 2020 is about TAX ACCOUNTANT Expert in tax document preparation for local, state, and federal taxes Often works long hours during tax season (January through April) Stays up-to-date on code changes and clearly communicates liabilities and issues to their clients APRIL Avg. Salary: $60,000 each icon represents $5,000 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 Avg. Salary: $72,000 each icon represents $5,000 AUDITOR Internal auditors examine their organization's funds for signs of mismanagement External auditors do the same, but usually with more punitive intentions Must be highly ethical, communicative, and assertive, with a level of skepticism appropriate to their investigations Seeks to improve processes to avoid waste and fraud Avg. Salary: $66,000 each icon represents $5,500 MANAGERIAL ACCOUNTANT Prepares financial records for their organization's business managers for internal use Provides information and acts as a strategic partner throughout the chain of information processing and value BUDGET %24 Budgeting, performance evaluation, assessment of operational expenses Avg. Salary: $67,000 each icon represents approx. $5,500 FINANCIAL ACCOUNTANT Similar to a Managerial Accountant, except this work is for the benefit of outside parties rather than internal business managers Prepares financial statements (balance sheets, income statements, cash flow statements) Records and reports on business transactions and financial performance Avg. Salary: $61,000 each icon represents approx. $5,000 GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTANT Audits businesses and individuals who are government-regulated and taxed Verifies that revenues are lawfully accounted for and spent Oversees government agency records Avg. Salary: $61,000 each icon represents approx. $5,000 ACCOUNTING INFORMATION SYSTEMS AUDITORS Utilizes computer programming and accounting knowledge to manage software for accountants and other financial professionals Oversees operations and security of these tools May also help develop new accounting systems Avg. Salary: $77,000 each icon represents $5,000 WITH A DEGREE IN ACCOUNTING AND A CERTIFICATION, THE SKY IS THE LIMIT FOR YOUR ACCOUNTING CAREER. Where will your dreams take you? accounting.businessdegrees.uab.edu SOURCES http://www.bls.gov/och/Business-and-Financial/Accountants-and-auditors.htm http://www.bls.gov/h12/moneyOl.htm http://www.indeed.com/salary/Tax-Accountant.html http://work.chron.com/working-condilions-lax-accountant-14412.html http://www. indeed com/salaryol=Foreonsic+Accountanlall=