Almost all corporate accountant jobs require a four-year bachelor degree with an accounting or finance concentration for even entry-level accountant jobs. Jobs for accountants requiring specialized skills or managerial skills may have additional requirements such as a CPA (certified public accountant) license or an advanced degree. An accounting or finance degree at the Bachelor level focuses on the skills and software required in most general accountant jobs and during the course of study, the college student can choose to focus their degree on sub-specializations. Examples might be finance, management or tax accounting certifications and focuses during school.
A CPA license requires a 4-year degree with a focus in business, finance, auditing or accounting equal to 24 credit hours, a Master or PHD with a concentration in accounting may also be substituted for this requirement. In addition, a comprehensive and exhaustive test is required for licensure as a CPA. Though the requirements are stringent for this licensing, it opens doors for accountant jobs that an unlicensed non- certified accountant may find closed.
Accountants who specialize in tax, auditing, finance and more may find that certification from their respective accounting specialty organizations is beneficial in terms of job advancement and the job search for accountant positions. In addition, professional organizations can help the accounting professional meet their continuing education requirements in order to keep certifications or licenses current.
The corporate or company culture is not suited for every accountant, and many find employment within federal government agencies or nonprofit organizations where accountant jobs are just as plentiful as in private industry.
Federal local and state governments have many jobs for accountants who specialize in such areas as tax accounting, as well as many general and management accountants in order to keep track and allocate resources. The IRS is only the most well known of these government accounting branches many more positions exist outside the tax accounting specialization.
The job search for accounting jobs is usually a matter of choosing location, interests and specializations, deciding if the candidate is willing to relocate. Then selecting whether the candidate feels comfortable in a corporate situation or prefers a consulting or small business environment, and then choosing among the offerings.
Federal accountant jobs require a four-year bachelor degree, and in some instances advanced certification or degrees as well as the usual civil service examination. These positions are well-compensated and very stable employment opportunities with a set rate of advancement.
For those reaching for the top, then a corporate accounting position may be more in line with their career goals. Advanced degrees may be required for the more senior accounting positions with supervisory or executive responsibilities. These types of jobs for accountants may be found through corporate web sites, job fairs, and letters to the human resource departments of corporations and online job search sites as well as traditional word of mouth sources.
A polished resume is essential for the job seeker who is searching for the best jobs in accounting. The resume is the first contact with the employer. It is important to remember that just as the accountant presents a professional appearance in an interview, that the resume and cover letter that accompany the inquiry into a job for an accountant should be just as professional and polished. Persons who are not comfortable with making their own resumes may find that investing in a professional resume a wise investment.
Jobs for accountants are steadily growing and the job seeker does not always have to settle for a ''job that is just barely good'' instead with a consistent and focused search with their particular career goals n mind, the right accountant job can be found for any temperament or personality. Some of the more attractive jobs for accountants require licensure and the wise jobseeker with a career path in mind may well begin working on their licensing as soon as they graduate.