Accounting Jobs

There are many types of jobs that fall under the "accounting" title, from accountants for firms and internal auditors to accounts payable and receivable clerks. The one thing they all have in common is that they work with numbers on a recurring basis, just on different levels.

For example, accountants for large corporations may focus on company-wide revenues and expenditures - "big picture" stuff - while the accounts receivables person is responsible for handling incoming payments from clients and making sure invoices are being paid on time.

You can see that all levels of accounting personnel are working with numbers and dollar amounts, and each wants to see their accounts balance.

An accountant must be a stickler for details, because the misplacement of a decimal point could have a profound impact on the bottom line, and keep you from balancing. If you are a person who finds that kind of job interesting, challenging, and rewarding, seeking a job in the accounting field may be a great choice for you. If you want to get a taste of the business, consider getting a clerical job in an accounting office. Work your way up from there!

Accountants spend most of their working hours in an office, although some accountants working for accounting firms may travel to their clients’ locations across the country or even outside of it. They also usually work a 40-hour work week, unless they are responsible for taxes and other federal reporting, which means they may work extra hours to ensure filings and reports are accurate and turned in on time.

Here is a list of some of the more prevalent accounting jobs in the industry today:

Accounting clerk
Accounting director
Accounting manager
Accounting supervisor
Accounts payable specialist
Accounts receivable specialist
Bookkeeper
Bookkeeping clerk
Certified public accountant
Compliance auditors
Corporate accountants
Cost accountants
External auditors
Forensic accountants
General ledger clerk
Internal auditors
Management accountants
Staff accountant
Tax accountant

Below we provide basic information about obtaining a position in the accounting field. We’ll take a look at the future job outlook, the salary ranges of the leading positions in the field, and the education and training required to land a job.

Employment Outlook

It’s all good news when it comes to future employment in the accounting industry. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the number of accounting jobs, particularly higher level accounting jobs, to increase by 22% over current levels by 2018. The Bureau cites a growing number of businesses, government accounting regulations, and changes in laws governing financial reporting as the reason for this large increase in jobs.

Unfortunately, lower level positions such as accounting clerks will only see a 10% increase, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. People competing for these jobs may gain a competitive edge by receiving certifications and additional training from industry associations.

Salary Outlook

Since accountants are all about dollars and cents, it’s time to show you the average income for people in the accounting field. Keep in mind that salaries can vary greatly from company to company and state to state. For example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says the median annual salary for professional accountants is more than $59,000, while accountants in the mid-west may earn closer to $50,000 per year.

Accounting clerks at various levels earn an average annual salary of $32,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but again, that can vary depending on the size of the company and where you live. For example, an accounting clerk in New York can earn approximately $40,000 per year.

Education and Training Requirements

Most professional accountants such as CPAs, tax accountants, etc. are required to hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting or related discipline.

The government requires that any accountant who files reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission be certified, in other words, he or she must be a Certified Public Accountant, a designation earned obtained through each state. To become a CPA the accountant must pass an exam, and to retain the designation, he or she must take a certain number of continuing education classes. Each state’s requirements may be slightly different.

Accounting clerks and bookkeepers are not required to hold a bachelor’s degree, but job seekers may find they have a competitive edge over others if they hold an associate’s degree in accounting or bookkeeping. Once hired, clerks receive additional training. Clerks and bookkeepers can also earn certification through the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers.

Accountants will continue to be in demand in the coming years, earning good salaries. However, people seeking these positions will need to be prepared for the education and certification that are required. Clerks and bookkeepers will not be in as much demand, but certainly a modest increase in the number of jobs and normal turnover due to retirements, etc. will mean a good availability of jobs. You may have a better chance of obtaining one of these positions if you earn an associate’s degree and/or certification.

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