| If there is any accountant who should be | | | | education, due to the ever-changing nature of the |
| considered the foundation of the profession, it's | | | | financial world. For instance, what could have been |
| the Certified Public Accountant (CPA). This is the | | | | a tax deduction a year previously might not work |
| most prominently known of the four identified | | | | today. To do this, many an accountant attends |
| categories, the other three being Certified | | | | numerous seminars and additional online courses |
| Management Accountants, Certified Internal | | | | to stay on top of their field. |
| Auditors, and Accredited Business Accounts. | | | | There are a number of professional organizations |
| According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, of | | | | that will be glad to advise someone wanting to |
| the near 2 million accountants as of 2008, 1.29 | | | | become an accountant. These include the |
| (nearly 65%) are CPAs. If that isn't enough, the | | | | Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of |
| Bureau projects exceptional growth, with a need | | | | Business, the American Institute of CPA's, and the |
| for 22% more by 2018. That alone goes a long | | | | National Association of State Boards of |
| way towards explaining why obtaining a masters | | | | Accountants. They can be easily accessed |
| degree and becoming a CPA is also one of the | | | | through any competent search engine. Many of |
| stalwart professions of online colleges. | | | | these groups also offer financial aid in the form of |
| A strong head for numbers and a Bachelors of | | | | scholarships and grant programs. |
| Science with a strong major in accountancy are | | | | Entering and advancing in the accounting field may |
| the basics towards being a CPA. Computer | | | | be starting to sound as if it's just a lot of hard |
| literacy is an absolute must. From there, one | | | | work. While there's no denying it does take |
| must pass a state-run certification exam, | | | | dedication, the financial rewards are |
| preferably after doing a state-decided number of | | | | commensurate. Starting out, the new accountant |
| work hours. About the only real obstacle in the | | | | will be in the mid-20's range, with a potential in the |
| job is if an accountant moves out of state, he or | | | | six-figures. Tax accountants, on average |
| she must apply to the new state for certification. | | | | according to the BLS, earn approximately |
| In some states, that's just as simple filing of | | | | $62,000, while a state accountant earns around |
| papers. In others, the accountant is required to | | | | $50,000, with adjustments made for the state's |
| take their exam. | | | | own pay guidelines and the number of years of |
| The main responsibility of a CPA is to assure an | | | | experience offered. |
| investor, private individual, corporation or state | | | | Additional perks almost always include health |
| authority that a financial statement is correct. This | | | | insurance, as well as a number of fairly intensive |
| can range from a profit/loss statement, | | | | investment and retirement packages. Also, many |
| application for a loan, tax statement or any other | | | | board members and senior executives of major |
| similar record. As such, the accountant must also | | | | corporations started as CPAs, their financial |
| have knowledge of local, state and federal bylines | | | | knowledge opening doors for their advancement. |
| regarding the types of financial statements. | | | | Another option is to go on to purse a law degree |
| The job also comes with a need for perpetual | | | | for the lucrative field as a tax attorney. |