The role of business accountant is one that you can do from home. You can choose to work with only one business as your client or you can work with several different businesses. As a professional accountant with a Bachelor's degree in accounting, you can set up your own office and set your own hours of work. If you want to earn a certificate as a certified public accountant, you should ensure that the type of work you do in your role meets the requirements for the certification eligibility and that your emlpyer9s) can complete the Certificate of Employment form that is required. However, it is best if you already have this designation before you start your business in order to be able to prepare the complicated tax forms for businesses.
In the role of business accountant, you can be both accountant and bookkeeper. Your duties can include entering transactions into ledgers, reconciling back accounts, preparing invoices for customer accounts, and paying the monthly bills for the business. You may also work as payroll clerk from your home and prepare all the monthly checks for the employees. This is a common occupation now for accountants as many businesses are outsourcing the duties for the financial aspects of their business and in so doing save money.
There are certain personal skills that you must possess in order to do well as an independent business accountant. You must be well organized and methodical in performing the duties of your job. You must also be of high moral character – honest, discreet and trustworthy, especially if you have to audit the books of a company. Your attention to detail and excellent performance will gain you may referrals from clients and so increase your client base and income. Tax laws are constantly changing, so you must keep up-to-date on these changes and know how they affect your clients so that you can obtain more tax credits and allowable deductions for then when preparing income tax returns.
It is possible that you will do general accounting work as a business accountant, but you can also specialize. You may be an external auditor called upon to do third part audits for various companies and government agencies. You may also work as a forensics accountant on a contract basis with the government or law enforcement agencies. Then again, you may specialize in tax accounting and only deal with individual and business income tax returns.
As you set your own hours of operation, you can also set your own fees as a business accountant. At various times of the year, such as income tax time, you may find that you are working long hours, while at other times of the year, you can actually take some time off for vacations. In your office setting, you do need to have the standard office equipment and be proficient at using the computer with the latest accounting software to make your job easier. When you fist start out on your own, you may have to shop for clients by creating brochures to advertise your business. However, as you become known for exceptional work, you will probably have to hire staff or turn away clients.
