Accounting Careers

Accountants and Auditors are responsible for the preparation and examination of financial records for a company. As the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) notes in the figures above, a large number of people are employed as accountants and auditors, with that number expected to increase in the next decade. Their primary objective is to ensure the accuracy of the financial records and that taxes are paid punctually and properly.

In addition to preparing and examining financial information, accountants and auditors must be able to communicate their findings to managers and clients through written and verbal reports:

  • Ensure financial statements are accurate and in compliance with laws and regulations
  • Compute and process taxes properly and punctually
  • Inspect account books and accounting systems for efficiency and appropriate accounting procedures
  • Suggest best-practices to management for ways to reduce costs, enhance revenues, and improve profits

Depending on the organization type, accountant and auditor jobs may specialize in assurance services, risk management, or other related areas. There are four specific types of accountants and auditors as well: public accountants, management accountants, government accountants, and internal auditors. Each of these capacities addresses a different aspect of a company's finances, such as forensic accounting, budgeting and performance evaluation, government record keeping, and identifying mismanagement of an organization's funds. Because these needs are diverse and necessary to ever business, the demand for accountants and auditors is increasing 16%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

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  1. Career Bank
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    American Institute of CPAs

Professional Organizations

  1. The Association of Accountants and Financial Professionals in Business

    This organization is the worldwid association for accountants and financial professionals in the business industry. The IMA has more than 65,000 members and is committed to helping expand professional skills and improve organizations.

  2. American Institute of CPAs

    The American Institute of CPAs is a central location for information and business opportunities related to Certified Public Accounting.

  3. American Accounting Association

    Promoting worldwide excellence in accounting education, the American Accounting Association (AAA) was fuonded in 1916 and is a voluntary organization of people interested in accounting education and research.

  4. The Professional Accounting Society of America

    The Professional Accounting Society of America is designed for enry- and mid-level professionals currently employed at public accounting firms in America. The PASA site lists accounting jobs, society news, and membership is free.

  5. National Society of Accountants

    The National Society of Accountants (NSA) strives to provide national leadership and member success within accountancy and taxation professions.

  6. International Federation of Accountants

    The International Federation of Accountants seeks to enable the global accountancy profession to become recognized as a valued leader for sustainable organizations, economies, and financial markets.

  7. The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

    This accrediting organization is responsible for promoting higher standards of quality for business schools and programs as well as offering accounting program accreditation.

Publications

Calendar of Events

  1. 2013
    job-fair

    Whitman School of Management Career Fairs

    The Whitman School of Management will be hosting this career fiar for accounting, finance, marketing and retail, and supply chain careers.

  2. 02 May 2013
    other

    AICPA Sustainability Workshop

    This workshop is designed for certified professional accountants and covers topics such as expanding enterprise-wide risk oversight and related risks and opportunities.

  3. 10 Jun 2013
    convention

    PASC Annual Convention

    The 65th annual Public Accountants Society of Colorado convention brings accountant professionals together and discusses the latest discoveries and changes in the industry …

  4. 22 Jun 2013
    conference

    IMA's 94th Annual Conference and Exposition

    This conference provides networking opportunities for business professionals to acquire industry knowledge and stay current on the latest changes in professional trends and …

  5. 09 Sep 2013
    job-fair

    Fisher Accounting Career Fair

    Ohio State University is hosting the Fisher accounting career fair to connect accounting majors with job opportunities in the industry.

Social Networks

  1. Big Four Accounting Consulting

    This open group has more than 143,000 members and respresents four of the top accounting consulting organizations.

  2. Accounting and Finance Professionals

    This locked group has more than 50,600 users and is very active. The group was started for accounting and finance professionals looking to expand their network.

  3. Finance and Accounting: Networking, Forum and Jobs

    In this group, finance and accounting professionals can find networking opportunities, access forum discussions, and view job openings. The group has nearly 37,000 members and is locked.

  4. Accounting Professionals

    This is a subgroup of Finance Club and has nearly 14,000 members. The group is locked and restricted to accounting professionals only.

  5. Finance and Accounting Recruiter Group

    Open to any finance and accounting professional, this group was created to showcase jobs and employees in the industry.

  6. Super CFO

    This open group has more than 27,400 users and is very active. The group promotes professionals in all areas of finance, including accounting, tax, IFRS, startup, CEO's, and more.

  7. Accounting Firms

    Community designed for members of the Big-4 and other accounting firms.

Get Experience

Licensure Information

  1. Step 1

    Earn 150 college credit hours (or bachelor's degree and one year of college or a master's degree). This requirement excludes California.

  2. Step 2

    Take examination to become Certified Public Accountant

Resume Samples

Accounting Careers at a Glance

Projected Job Growth

  • Job Growth for
    Accounting Careers
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  • 1,216,900
  • 1,407,600
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    • 2013
    • 2023
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Average Pay for Accounting Careers

  • Annual Pay National Average
  • Hourly Pay National Average

Best States for Accounting Careers

  Employment
in 2011		 Average
Annual Pay		 Average
Hourly Pay
New York 94,300 $85,140 $41
Colorado 30,030 $87,370 $42
District of Columbia 10,210 $87,370 $42

Sources:

Becoming an Accountant and Auditor

Becoming an accountant or auditor requires the right educational background, proper licensure and certification, and adequate experience in the industry in most cases. In terms of education, accountants and auditors need to have a bachelor's degree at minimum but preference is usually granted to those with a master's degree. Accountants filing reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) are required by law to hold Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure, but gaining that designation can be a strategic move for enhancing job prospects as well. Most states require candidates to have adequate experience in the field prior to applying for a CPA license, which can be gained through internships with public accounting or business firms, or by working as a junior internal auditor.

The recommended major for both accountants and auditors is an accounting degree, but related fields such as business management, internal auditing, and business administration will also be adequate. Because there is usually a preference to hire accountants and auditors with graduate degrees, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) can be a strategic choice for students seeking better careers in accounting and auditing. Even if the major isn't specifically related to business, students can incorporate the right classes to supplement their degree program that will give them the preparation and foundation they would need to satisfy the job requirements for accounting and auditing careers:

  • Accounting
  • Federal Tax
  • Business Math
  • Business Law

In addition to earning CPA licensure, accountants and auditors can gain a significant advantage in the competition for accountant and auditor jobs with certification. There are several different types of certification that accountants and auditors can achieve. The Institute of Management Accountants provides the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) certification to applicants with a bachelor's degree and at least two years of management accounting experience. The Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) certification offered by the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) is granted to college graduates with two years of experience in internal auditing. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lists several other options for certification for accountants and auditors.