| A career in accounting means managing and | | | | $57,020. Going further into the financial services |
| reporting the finances of a business. Accountants | | | | industry, you could become a financial manager |
| help ensure that public and private financial records | | | | for a major corporation and earn in the |
| are maintained properly and that company taxes | | | | neighborhood of $105,410 a year according to the |
| are paid correctly and promptly. Budgeting, cost | | | | BLS. You can also work your way up the |
| management, and asset management are other | | | | corporate ladder to financial director, corporate |
| accounting duties. The bigger the company, the | | | | controller, or even chief financial officer (CFO). |
| more specialized a role you're likely to hold, while | | | | What Education You Need: Accounting Degree and |
| in smaller companies, you generally have the | | | | Certification |
| opportunity to broaden your accounting | | | | A college degree and certification are almost |
| experience. | | | | essential for advancement and a long term career |
| What You Can Count On: Job Security | | | | in accounting. A bachelor's degree in accounting or |
| For the 2007 fiscal year, Microsoft reported an | | | | a finance related topic is a solid start, and earning |
| annual revenue of $51.2 billion. Behind any | | | | a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential |
| company's revenue numbers--big or small--are | | | | furthers your employability prospects. You can |
| accountants and financial managers who balance | | | | even take it a step-further by earning a |
| the books. In 2002, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act | | | | specialized certification such as a Certified |
| added further scrutiny to corporate procedures. | | | | Management Accountant (CMA), Certified Internal |
| Between government regulations and the | | | | Auditor (CIA), Accredited Tax Advisor (ATA), or |
| thousands of companies that need to manage | | | | other credential. The American Institute of |
| finances, the immediate benefit of a career in | | | | Certified Public Accountants reports on a survey |
| accounting is a reasonable amount of job security. | | | | finding that candidates with a professional |
| Additionally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) | | | | certification can earn 10% more than other |
| predicts strong growth for accountants and | | | | accountants. A graduate degree can also help you |
| auditors through 2016. | | | | stand out from the crowd. |
| What You Can Take to the Bank: Strong Earnings | | | | If keeping track of the nickels and dimes is your |
| Another benefit for an accountant is that the | | | | passion, then accounting may be what you can |
| median annual salary for accounting, tax | | | | count on for a career. |
| preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll services is | | | | |