| If you're interested in pursuing a career in | | | | employed by a Federal, State, or local |
| accounting or auditing, the opportunities may be | | | | government agency. Government accountants |
| yours for the taking. According to the Bureau of | | | | are responsible for maintaining and analyzing the |
| Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook, | | | | financial records of these agencies. They may also |
| 2008-09 Edition, the accounting profession will | | | | be responsible for auditing private businesses and |
| experience strong job growth over the period | | | | individuals. For example, accountants for the |
| from 2006 to 2016. Accounting jobs are | | | | Internal Revenue Service are employed by the |
| expected to grow by 18 percent between 2006 | | | | federal government to review taxes received by |
| and 2016. This growth is faster than the average | | | | businesses and individuals. In addition, they are |
| for all occupations. It is projected that almost | | | | tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that the |
| 226,000 accounting jobs will be created during the | | | | various government agencies are making |
| ten year period. The strong growth in accounting | | | | expenditures in accordance with applicable laws |
| and auditing jobs is expected to result from | | | | and regulations. |
| economic expansion, changes to financial laws, and | | | | Internal auditing jobs: Internal auditors are |
| stricter corporate governance. Accounting career | | | | responsible for ensuring that the financial records |
| opportunities will also be created by changes to | | | | of a company or individual are accurate. They |
| financial reporting standards, business investments, | | | | check for fraud or non-compliance with laws, and |
| mergers and acquisitions, and other events that | | | | they help to prevent financial loss. Other |
| are expected to lead to greater scrutiny of | | | | responsibilities of an internal auditor may include |
| accounting practices and company finances. | | | | reporting on audits, advising on or recommending |
| Growth in accounting jobs will also be driven by | | | | changes to a company's operations an/or financial |
| the desire to make government agencies more | | | | activities, reviewing data regarding a company's |
| accountable. According to the Handbook, | | | | assets, liabilities, stock, income and expenditures, |
| candidates with a master's degree, who obtain | | | | preparing reports and financial statements, and |
| certification or licensure, or who are skilled at using | | | | reviewing compliance with corporate policies and |
| accounting and auditing computer software will | | | | government regulations. |
| have the best career opportunities. | | | | What are the educational requirements for a |
| What jobs do accountants and auditors do? The | | | | career in accounting or auditing? Your duties as an |
| role of accountants and auditors is quite broad. | | | | accountant will vary according to what type of |
| Generally speaking, accountants and auditors | | | | accounting you decide to specialize in or what kind |
| prepare, analyze, verify and communicate financial | | | | of accounting job you want to pursue. |
| information for clients that may include | | | | Accordingly, if you are pursuing career |
| corporations, governments, non-profit | | | | opportunities in accounting or auditing, the |
| organizations, or individuals. But the specific job | | | | education and training requirements can vary |
| descriptions of accountants and auditors vary | | | | depending on your role. Most accounting jobs |
| depending on the type of accounting and auditing | | | | require at least a bachelor's degree in accounting |
| job. | | | | or a related field but some employers will only |
| What types of accounting career opportunities | | | | consider job applicants with a master's degree in |
| are there? There are four major fields of | | | | accounting, or a master's degree in business |
| accounting and auditing: public, management, | | | | administration with a concentration in accounting. |
| government accounting, and internal auditing. | | | | Licensure and certification for accounting jobs: |
| Public accounting jobs: Public Accountants provide | | | | Only a Certified Public Accountant is permitted to |
| a wide range of consulting services relating to | | | | file reports with the Securities and Exchange |
| accounting, auditing, tax, and other financial | | | | Commission (SEC). Accordingly, if you're |
| activities. A career in a public accounting involves | | | | interested in a career working for a public |
| providing services such giving advice to companies | | | | company that's registered with the SEC, you |
| or individuals to help them get certain tax | | | | need to be licensed as a CPA by your State |
| advantages and preparing and filing income tax | | | | Board of Accountancy. Most States require CPA |
| returns. External auditors are responsible for | | | | candidates to be college graduates and to have |
| auditing financial statements for companies to | | | | some accounting experience. To become a CPA, |
| ensure that they have been prepared properly. | | | | you must pass a four-part examination prepared |
| Many public accountants have the professional | | | | by the American Institute of Certified Public |
| designation Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and | | | | Accountants (AICPA). This is required by all |
| they may work on their own or in public | | | | States. |
| accounting firms. | | | | Things that can help increase your accounting |
| Management accounting jobs: Management | | | | career opportunities:o Previous experience in |
| accountants prepare and analyze the financial | | | | accounting or auditing, such as experience gained |
| information of the companies for which they | | | | in summer or part-time internship programs, will |
| work. If you pursued a career in management | | | | help your chances of getting an accounting job.o |
| accounting, you would be responsible for | | | | Knowledge of computers and financial software |
| maintaining budgets, managing expenses, analyzing | | | | applications will make you a stronger candidate for |
| financial information, preparing financial reports and | | | | an accounting job. |
| managing company assets. | | | | What skills do you need to succeed in an |
| Government accounting jobs: A career in | | | | accounting career? |
| government accounting means you would be | | | | |