| Accounting is pervasive in every field and discipline | | | | professional accounting, auditors, accounting |
| in the world. It constitutes the backbone of | | | | administrators, payroll administrators, |
| businesses and world economies. Those who are | | | | computerized accounting specialists, forensic |
| disciplined, proactive self-starters, committed and | | | | accountants and financial accountants, to name a |
| good with numbers can find excellent career | | | | few. The career that you settle in will largely |
| avenues in accounting. Accountants take care of | | | | depend on formal education, specialization, |
| financial accounting and auditing of individuals and | | | | certification and experience. Students can also |
| businesses like maintenance of books, payroll, and | | | | acquire additional certifications such as CPA and |
| tax compliance and filing returns. | | | | CMA by qualifying in respective exams. |
| There are a host of programs offered by | | | | Career outlook is strong for the accounting |
| institutions to prepare students for careers in | | | | discipline since no business can effectively function |
| accounting. These programs are offered through | | | | without them. As per Bureau of Labor Statistics, |
| campus and online modes making it convenient | | | | growth in Accounting and Computer Technicians |
| for working staff to balance work and study | | | | fields is projected at 18% and 37%, faster than |
| commitments. Programs span Associate's, | | | | average of all occupations, through 2016. Salaries |
| Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees. | | | | vary but are generally attractive. As per a salary |
| Professional certifications like Certified Public | | | | survey conducted by National Association of |
| Accountant [CPA] are also available accrediting | | | | Colleges in 2006, the average salary offer for |
| individuals on their proficiency. | | | | Bachelor's degree holders starting in this field was |
| The programs usually cover auditing, taxation, | | | | $46,718. Likewise, it was $49,277 for those |
| cost accounting, economics, law, finance, | | | | holding Master's degrees. |
| management and quantitative methods. Courses | | | | Accountants can potentially earn salaries between |
| focus on data, analysis and interpretation for | | | | $32,320 and $88,610 as per the U.S. Department |
| purposes of problem solving and decision making. | | | | of Labor. Average salary of payroll administrators |
| Course ware discussions and activities involve | | | | in the USA was $46,940. The levels of salary also |
| financial statements, risk assessment and control, | | | | depend on responsibilities being handled. CPAs and |
| tax preparation, managing accounting information | | | | federal tax examiners enjoy lucrative salaries |
| systems alongside audits and fraud detection. This | | | | drawing median incomes of $50,770 and $52,830 |
| field is more about the practical aspects rather | | | | respectively in 2004. Forensic accountants on the |
| than purely theory. | | | | other hand drew median annual salaries of |
| The accounting discipline offers tremendous | | | | approximately $50,000 in 2004 with potential to |
| career opportunities through domestic and global | | | | go over $100,000. This is in fact one of the |
| forums enhancing career mobility. New entrants | | | | fastest growing professions. Budget analysts also |
| step into entry-level positions before graduating to | | | | experience lucrative salaries and drew median |
| higher positions based on level of education, | | | | annual salaries of $56,040 in 2004. |
| specialization and experience garnered. | | | | Overall, this is an exciting and lucrative discipline |
| Certifications are crucial for career advancement. | | | | offering excellent career opportunities for potential |
| Career paths can traverse personal and public | | | | accountants in different specializations. |
| accounting, managerial accounting, cost accounting, | | | | |