Accounting Jobs
Job Description
Accountants prepare, analyze and verify
financial information. Job duties might include budget analysis, financial
planning, consulting, record keeping and auditing. They may work for
individuals, governments, corporations or not for profit organizations.
Training
To obtain a job in accounting, most people
will be required to obtain at least a bachelors degree in accounting. A
masters degree would be helpful and some corporations may require this.
To become a CPA or Certified Public Accountant, accountants must pass a 2
day exam prepared by the AICPA. It is a rigorous exam and only about 25%
of test takers generally pass.
CPA's and public accountants may also be required to take continuing
education to maintain their credentials.
Working Conditions
Accountants work in a standard office
environment and work a typical 40 hour work week. Self employed accounting
professionals may be able to do much of their work from home but should
expect to work more hours. Government accounting jobs and corporate
accounting jobs may require extensive travel to audit branches or firms.
Salary
Because of the high level of training and
demand for accountants, wages are good. The average salary in 2004 was
slightly more than $50,000 with top earners earning close to $90,000.
Job Outlook
Accounting jobs should increase greatly over
the next few years. With the growing number of companies in existence and
increasingly complex financial laws and regulations, accountants will be
in high demand.
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