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Accounting
A major in Accounting is designed to provide the student with the technical skills necessary to pass the C.P.A. (or C.M.A.) examination and to enhance those skills with a solid background in the liberal arts. Thirty states now require a fifth year of education to acquire the 150 hours necessary to take the C.P.A. exam.
Careers in accounting and auditing are primarily concerned with examining and interpreting account records for the purpose of advisement or report. Furthermore, accountants may be involved in designing accounting systems and advising on cost-recording systems and other financial and budgetary data. This includes tracking financial performance and tax strategies by developing and using information systems. Therefore, accountants must be prepared to work with people, data, and things.
Operations planning and management are frequent outgrowths of an accounting position, leading to excellent opportunities for advancement to executive levels.
Because of the importance of the financial information provided by accountants, a high ethical standard is perhaps the most important personal quality an accountant should possess. Additional characteristics might include people and sales skills, initiative, computer skills, organization, and consistency. Aptitudes in mathematics, logical thinking, analysis, applied thinking and written and verbal communication skills are also valuable to one entering the field.
OCCUPATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Financial Accounting (CPA):
Auditing
Compilation and review
Taxation
Managerial Accounting (CMA):
Budget development and evaluation
Financial analysis and planning
Internal auditing
System design and evaluation
Some positions may require additional education and/or training.
EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK
Employment of accountants and auditors is expected to grow by 18 percent between 2006 and 2016. An increase in the number of businesses, changing financial laws, and corporate governance regulations, and increased accountability for protecting an organization’s stakeholders will drive growth. (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos001.htm)
POTENTIAL EMPLOYERS
Accounting firms Banks and financial institutions Government (local, state & federal)
Hospitals, agencies Insurance industry Nonprofit organizations
Private industry Schools and universities Self-employment
Accountants are needed in all areas of business and industry. The above list is a representative sample.
SOURCES FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Books (* denotes books available in the Career Center Library)
- *Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance, Vol. 2, Chicago, IL: Ferguson Publishing Co., 2000.
- *Fogg, Neeta, et.al. The College Majors Handbook, Indianapolis, IN: JIST Works, Inc., 2004.
- *Gaylord, Gloria L. & Ried, Glenda E. Careers in Accounting, Lincolnwood, IL: VGM Career Horizons, 1998.
- Paradis, Adrian A. Opportunities in Banking Careers, Lincolnwood, IL: VGM Career Series, 2001.
- The Harvard Business School Guide to Careers in Finance, Boston, MA: The School: dist. by Harvard Business School, 2001.
Professional Associations
- American Accounting Association, 5717 Bessie Drive, Sarasota, FL 34233-2399, http://aaahq.org/index.cfm
- Aerican Institute of Certified Public Accountants, 1211 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036 http://www.aicpa.org
- American Society of Women Accountants, 8405 Greensboro Drive, Suite 800, McLean, VA 22102, http://www.aswa.org
- The Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants, 535 Metro Place South, Dublin, OH 43017-7810, http://www.ohioscpa.com
- The Institute for Internal Auditors, 247 Maitland Avenue, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701, http://www.theiia.org
Web sites
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