Hollywood has provided movie-goers with versions of fictional accountants. Some examples include Andy Dufresne from The Shawshank Redemption, Jonathan Markdukas in Midnight Run, and Milton Waddams in Office Space. These characters hold the truth behind the financial puppetry that permit them to have the upper hand.
Real accountants actually have the upper hand in the financial realm of businesses in the corporate world and are godsends to individuals around tax time. If you have a gift with numbers, can work with strict deadlines, and have an ability to work with people, then accounting could be a career choice for you.
Overview of an Accounting Career
Like most careers accountants have multiple duties or work assignments. The time allotted to these activities vary, but for the most part the following are usual:
- Create and analyze financial reports and statements
- Understand and advise clients towards tax laws and payments
- Prepare budgets for a company and departments within the company
- Oversee budgets and prepare reports depicting expenses
- Maintain financial records for audits
Preparing for a Career in Accounting
People considering a career in accounting should consider the skills and interest needed. First, accountants need to have a strong grasp of mathematics skills, including arithmetic, algebra, and statistics. Furthermore, a background in finance and economics is a plus. Because of the need to supply reports and present information to both individuals and groups, an accountant needs a solid understanding of the written language.
Many students will take a career assessment, like the Career Orientation Inventory, to understand how their interests line up with careers. These assessments provide students with a Holland Code. Codes that match with an accounting career include conventional, enterprising, and investigative.
Studying to be an Accountant
Student who would like to attend college to become an accountant have choices or path to that career. Some college majors include accounting, finance, and business.
Most four year colleges or universities offer accounting; however, some colleges have more well-known accounting departments than others. Some colleges to consider, based on U.S. News and World Report, are the following:
- University of Texas, Austin
- University of Illinois--Urbana-Champaign
- Brigham Young University--Provo
- University of Southern California
- University of Michigan--Ann Arbor
People who would like to pursue a career in accountant can expect to make $45,000 to $60,000 a year on average. Accounting continually tops the careers in most demand year after year, so job security is stable. This career is advantageous to those willing to use math and analytic skills on a daily basis.
Kerrie Troseth - Kerrie is a licensed school counselor who works exclusively with adolescents. As a school counselor she is trained in the areas of ...
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