To qualify for accounting job openings and be successful in the field, you have to have a particular aptitude for numbers as well as be able to pay close attention to detail. It is also important for accountants to have high-level computer skills and to be good at communication, both written and oral. This career is one where accuracy and the quality of your education will make a big difference in how well you do.
Should you be an accountant? Take a look at how you have done in math throughout your schooling and look at the classes that are most appropriate if you are still in school. If you love detail and enjoy mathematics maybe you should check out opportunities in this field. Look at colleges and universities that offer degrees or specializations in accounting to see if you can enter them.
To become a certified public accountant (CPA) or get state certification as an accountant, you will need to have a bachelor's degree in accounting or related field. You will have to take a number of accounting courses; plus your state will have different degree requirements as well. Some states require as much as 150 hours for an accounting degree. Check out all relevant requirements before you start your program. Otherwise, you could end up in a situation where the colleges you have applied to do not fulfill all your requirements.
There are multiple fields in which you might look for accounting job openings. Government accounting, public accounting, internal auditing, and management accounting are the biggest areas. However, each of these major fields is made up of a large number of sub-fields and each has many different specializations. Make sure you know a lot about each of them so you can decide which one is right for you.
If you do not get the experience in your classes, you will have to develop high levels of proficiency with all the major software packages. This will help you expand your resume and be more desirable for top accounting positions.
If you can, try to work part-time positions or internships that require little to no accounting experience while you are still in school. This will help you progress in your career later. Lots of firms looking for entry-level accounting graduates require you to have had an internship or other job during your schooling.
Once you have your degree and the appropriate internship, you will probably need to take the two-day CPA examination put together by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. To take the test, you will have to have your degree and some experience. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time for the exam since only a quarter of candidates pass all four parts of it their first time through. In some states, passing two parts may qualify you for partial certifications.
To get a leg up in the job market, you may want to think about going on to graduate school. A master's degree in accounting or a degree in business administration with an accounting emphasis can be a big help. Other things you can do to improve your chances include networking in professional associations, attending seminars, and taking continuing education classes.
Accountants generally work standard weeks. However, if your specialty is in taxes, you should expect to work significantly more during tax season. This can be stressful and difficult, but generally translates to higher income during this period. Accountants are extremely useful to many people who have trouble with their taxes, and they are likely to seek you out as an accountant even if you do not have a specialty in taxes.
Accounting is an excellent career field for people with the right dispositions, and there is no better time to start your new accounting career than now. If you are looking for a brand-new start in a bad economy, now is the time to get it. Check out your potential opportunities in this field and see whether or not you might be suited to take on this challenging career.
Accountants are always in demand, and there are often lower-level positions available for people with partial schooling or who have the aptitude but not the training. You could be an auditor or similar worker in addition to becoming a full accountant.
If you love mathematics and have great detail and people skills, an accounting job or one in a related field could be the perfect choice. Take a look at job openings in these fields and see if you have the qualifications or find out what it takes to get them. You could open a lot of new doors just by taking the time to research accounting positions.
