Accounting as a career

So You Want To Be an Accountant

Accounting is a diverse field with many job opportunities Financially , accountants and auditors earned an average of 50 ,770 in May 2004 , according to the U .S . Department of Labor website

It is never too early to plan a career in any field , so high school students who are considering a career in accounting should start by focusing on math and on any basic accounting classes offered in their high school . It is important to apply to a college with a good business program . According

to the Wall Street Journal , the top five business schools are as follows : University of Michigan , Carnegie Mellon University , Dartmouth College , University of Pennsylvania , and University of Chicago (Business Schools in the United States . Some of these schools are difficult to be admitted to and can be expensive , but there are many more worthwhile business schools throughout the United States . When selecting a school , it is important to keep in mind that accounting programs may focus on the philosophy of accounting , the mechanics of accounting , or both (Bloom et al . 59-60

Once a student has been admitted to an accounting program , they need to think past college and prepare to enter the workforce . Students should join any relevant clubs , find study groups , and get a subscription to a worthwhile business magazine in to keep up on the latest news . It is important for students to make their presence known among their professors as these are the individuals who will be writing letter of recommendation later . Students should consult an advisor immediately in to keep track of the classes they should be taking and classes that might assist them in the future . Accounting students should expect to start with basic accounting courses , as well as other related classes such as business law , ethics and finance . Once the lower-level accounting courses are out of the way , it is time to take classes that focus specifically on a possible career field . It is also feasible to consider a double major . Accountants who also have degrees in finance , statistics , international business , economics or who plan to attend law school are particularly valuable . Accountants who speak a foreign language fluently may find job opportunities abroad

Accounting is a highly competitive field , so students must concentrate on keeping their grades up . This is why it is important to join study groups , consult with professors for help , and to meet with accountants already in the field

Career Fields within Accounting

The following are the main career fields in accounting , but these are by no means the limit to what a qualified accountant can do after graduation (Hayes , 1

Certified Public Accountant (CPA : Accountants who wish to work with the public need to take and pass the CPA exam in to become licensed Often , they are required to have some experience within the field before taking the exam (Certified Public Accountant

Auditing : This field involves inspecting ledgers and financial statements within corporations and...