The Accountant's Job: What it is all About

Business and institutions run smoothly when all systems are working together. But who is crunching the numbers? An accountant. Without an accountant, no business or institution can keep track of its acquisitions and its gains; and high rollers and the regular Joes would be distraught without an accountant during tax time.

Job Description

A look at a job description for a banking accountant can intimidate anyone. The core of the job is to perform accounting functions, which include:

• reconciling numbers in all aspects of banking transactions
• preparing reports and giving in-depth analyses of bank performance
• assisting in external audit by providing the needed materials
• testing financial systems
• doing bank liaisons
• maintaining a log
• documenting policies and procedures
• contributing to special projects when assigned
• traveling when necessary
  

The list of skills required can also be quite daunting:

• Thorough understanding of accounting principles
• Strong analytical/accounting skills
• Intermediate knowledge of accounting software
• Excellent verbal/written skills
• Great interpersonal skills
• Ability to work with a team or independently
• Capability of working with minimal guidance
  

As for the educational qualifications, a degree in Bachelors of Science in Accounting is required. Four to six years’ experience in a related job, and Workers' Compensation experience are preferred but not mandatory.

But before you get discouraged, remember the job description and requirements were lifted from a major NY bank. The idea here was to show you what an accountant does in a major NY bank. More or less, the requirements for accounting positions are the same but the jobs won't be so demanding. Yes, you can be an accountant if you possess the basic requirement, which is a degree in accounting, and some work experience.

The Accounting Job

There are four fields in accountancy: public accountants are connected with public accounting companies; management accountants make sure that the company's money is well managed; internal auditors check company spending and see to it that money is not going into someone's pockets; and government accountants review government's transaction records and ensure these are accurately filled and filed.

The world of accounting may look complex on paper. Yes, accounting work is never without its complications, but there are different accounting specializations where your accounting skills and work experience may fit in. There are niches where you can work without the stress or the demands of high profile accountant jobs. You can be your own boss too and provide your accountancy services to small firms and private individuals during tax time.

If you are currently employed as a history instructor or an IT supervisor, you can get into the shoes of an accountant, work on two jobs, or explore possibilities with multinationals - that is if you have a certificate to show your competency in accounts.

Before embarking on an accountancy program, check out the local legislations in your area. Some states require an additional 30 hours beyond the four-year bachelor's degree or 150 semester hours devoted to college coursework.

But why accounting? No business and governments can survive without accounting because this is the language of business and finance. For you, the opportunities are there in all stripes of economies and industries.