The basic training you need to get started in the accounting industry is a Bachelor's degree in accounting or business. One important component of this degree program is one of more internship terms in which you work in an accounting office and apply the theory you learn in your courses to practical work in the field. The first job you get when you graduate from university will be that of a junior accountant, which is an entry-level position in the field.
As a junior accountant in a firm, you will report to the controller or senior accountant. Your duties will consist of performing day-to-day routine tasks associated with the financial operations of the business. Some of these will include performing monthly closing operations, assisting in accounts payable and accounts receivable, and the preparation of monthly financial statements and reports. At the end of each month you will be required to do the bank reconciliation of the accounts and ensure that all transactions are recorded properly. Entering data into the financial database is another duty, as is the profit and loss calculations for the company.
The junior accountant in a firm is responsible for compiling, entering and posting entries for the general ledger. This may include the monthly payroll entries and preparation of the employee paychecks. In this capacity, you will be responsible for ensuring the proper deductions are made from the gross earnings for taxes, health benefits and other deductions the employees choose to have taken out. Auditing the company books is also an essential part of this job and you do have to make sure that you meet the company deadlines for each type of audit you perform. These audits are often just to check the accuracy of the calculations in order to prepare financial statements and profit/loss reports on a regular basis.
Along with your educational skills, you do need to possess other skills to do well in the job of junior accountant. Since most of your work will involve the use of a computer, you should be proficient in keyboarding, word processing and in using accounting software. Excellent oral and written communication skills are also important, as are excellent interpersonal skills. You will have to prepare and deliver reports and interact with other professionals in the office setting.
There may be other duties assigned to you by your supervisor that will help you gain the experience you need to take on more complicated and challenging accounting work. As you gain experience, you will also be able to advance in the company and meet the work experience requirements you need to become eligible to write the CPOA exam. During your time as junior accountant, you should engage in continuing education taking courses needed to fulfill the education requirements of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. This experience will also give you an idea of the many areas of accounting in which you can specialize and may lead to your decision to pursue additional certifications. It is not difficult to advance in the accounting industry once you have the experience and the credentials to enable you to do so.
