Career: Accountant

Logic is a characteristic of left-brain thinkers, and this very aspect makes them highly suited for professions in accounting and auditing. Along with an ability to be thorough with all aspects, good logics are highly essential skills for accounting professionals. However, any job to be perfectly accomplished must involve passion, and here it is a passion for numbers, more specifically the applicability of numbers. If you decide to practice as a public accountant, then you would be responsible for book-keeping and tax-related services for several clients. If however, you decide to work for an organization or company, then you would be considered a management accountant.

Accountancy is a popular career choice and employment prospects in accountancy and auditing are expected to grow 22 percent in the period 2008-2018. This is a statistical report released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which believes that accounting-related jobs would increase by another 279, 400, adding to the existing 1.29million opportunities. Accountancy is directly related to the economy and therefore growth in business opportunities implies more clients and more work! The Bureau of Labor Statistics believes that growth of career opportunities in accounting would be higher compared to the national average. Increased number of financial regulations and the numerous complications associated with it has made accountants in greater demand, not to mention the increased taxing regulations. More and more people are turning to accountants for varied services, thanks to various regulations including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Accountancy is also a financially rewarding career.  According to the statistics released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual income for accountants in the year 2009 was per year, $60,340. Even the least paid 10% managed to earn around $37,690, while the best paid earned over $104,450 annually. Most of the high-end professionals in accounting are located in New Jersey, New York and District of Columbia.

Accounting is also a career option that offers scope for upward mobility. As a beginner you can start at the very bottom of your firm and advance progressively, either to grow into a partner or even start out on your own. Being a deadline-oriented work, it adds that very tinge of adventure into your career. However, the very same deadline pressures that make an otherwise dull career adventurous also make it stressful, especially during audit and taxation seasons, where auditors can end up working up to 40 hours per week.

All said, in order to practice as an accountant you need to satisfy various educational criteria. The first and foremost is a bachelor’s degree. The next step is to clear the state’s Certified Public Accountants examination. This is similar to appearing for the bar exam for lawyers, and you would have to clear this exam in a state where you intend to practice. And in order to appear for this exam, you are expected to have completed a minimum of 150 hours coursework. And this is the very reason why most people who want to practice as a certified public accountant opt to complete the master’s degree for accounting. You can also opt for other accounting certifications like the Certified Management Accountant, for which you should posses a bachelor’s degree, have two-years work experience as a management accountant, and clear a public exam. The only other way wherein you can work in the field of accounting is to assist a certified accountant in their firm.

According to Vivian Moller, President of the American Society of Women Accountants, anyone aspiring for a career in the field of accounting should look at attaining good technical qualifications, as well as work on their communication and leadership skills. Also, building a good network is the best way to establish your career, as your network will give you future clients and job opportunities. All these factors will not only help you establish your career but also increase your prospects for success. Continued education is another factor that always acts in favor of accountants as it helps them keep up-to-date and ensure a successful career.