| It's no big secret that corporations and | | | | experience earned between $36,000 and $60,000. |
| governmental agencies employ accountants. | | | | Senior accountants and auditors earned between |
| There are also those who help families and | | | | $43,250 and $79,250, managers between $51,250 |
| individuals with tax preparation, securing | | | | and $101,500, and directors of accounting and |
| retirement plans and deciphering mortgages. While | | | | internal auditing between $68,000 and $208,000. |
| a Certified Public Accountant and higher can | | | | The variation in salaries reflects differences in size |
| certainly do the job, they aren't always | | | | of firm, location, level of education, and |
| necessary. An aptitude in math and a traditional or | | | | professional credentials. |
| online college degree can get you started. | | | | In the Federal Government, the starting annual |
| For the general public, it's probably best to hire an | | | | salary for junior accountants and auditors was |
| Accredited Business Accountant. This kind of | | | | $28,862 in 2007. Candidates who had a superior |
| accountant specializes in the needs of | | | | academic record might start at $35,752, while |
| small-to-mid-size businesses and in financial | | | | applicants with a master's degree or 2 years of |
| services to individuals and families. In states where | | | | professional experience usually begin at $43,731. |
| use of the word "accountant" is not permitted by | | | | Beginning salaries are slightly higher in selected |
| non-state licensed individuals, the practitioner may | | | | geographic areas. Accountants employed by the |
| use the term Accredited Business Adviser. They | | | | Federal Government in nonsupervisory, |
| are also called general accountants. | | | | supervisory, and managerial positions averaged |
| Accreditation comes from the Accreditation | | | | $78,665 a year in 2007; auditors averaged |
| Council for Accountancy and Taxation. To obtain | | | | $83,322. |
| that designation, the candidate must pass the | | | | Wage and salary accountants and auditors usually |
| eight-hour Comprehensive Examination for | | | | receive standard benefits, including health and |
| Accreditation in Accounting which tests proficiency | | | | medical insurance, life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and |
| in financial accounting, reporting, statement | | | | paid annual leave. High-level senior accountants |
| preparation, taxation, business consulting services, | | | | may receive additional benefits, such as a |
| business law, and ethics. The candidate must also | | | | company car and an expense account. |
| have a minimum of three years experience in the | | | | As with all forms of accounting, the best way to |
| field, although the Council is willing to swap two | | | | advance in the field is two-fold. The first is to gain |
| years of education, either online or on campus, | | | | experience on the job. The other is to continue |
| for two of those years of experience. | | | | one's education, both in staying on top of the field |
| According to a 2007 salary survey conducted by | | | | for the latest rules, regs and advances, as well as |
| Robert Half International, a staffing services firm | | | | going on for a Bachelor of Science or higher as |
| specializing in accounting and finance, general | | | | far as degrees are concerned. It's also not |
| accountants and internal auditors with up to one | | | | uncommon for accredited business accountants to |
| year of experience earn between $31,500 and | | | | go on to become Certified Public Accountants, |
| $48,250 a year. Those with 1-3 years of | | | | Internal Auditors or Management Accountants. |