According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), accounting is a growing field, projected to grow 7 percent in the next decade. It’s a profession anyone can pursue with the right skills and knowledge, but many people think it’s all about numbers. It’s true that accounting professionals are in charge of keeping records of financial transactions, preparing financial statements, and making sure that all taxes are paid on time. But it’s also about people. In order to prepare these documents, they need an understanding of how their clients work, including their financials, management, and operations. In other words, communication is a big part of it.
How To Become an Accountant
The path to becoming an accountant depends on your career goals. Many people receive online degrees for accounting, which is perfect for this career field because you can usually work while attending. In fact, many firms will hire interns or people without degrees for jobs like filing or inputting data. These jobs can help you learn the basics while still earning a living. Once you have your associate degree, some firms will even let you work as a junior accountant if that’s your desire. Then, you can choose whether or not to go on to get your bachelor’s degree to become a staff accountant.
This will take at least four years, but it is necessary if you ever want to become certified as a CPA (Certified Public Accountant). You can do this by taking and passing the exam and completing the necessary coursework. You’ll also have to work under another CPA for a number of years in certain states.
Special Skills Accountants Must Possess
Accountants have a variety of skills that they need to have in order to be successful in the profession. And while there are different fields, many of them have similar attributes. For example, tax accountants need to know how to file taxes, prepare tax returns, and make sure that their clients are following the law. They also need to be able to work with numbers, know how to use the appropriate software, and be good listeners. But one important skill they need that is sometimes overlooked is organization. Tax preparers especially will handle a lot of private client information. To keep it separate, they usually keep documents in tax return folders that they return to the client after they’ve been filed. They also need to be prepared and preorder all the supplies they need, such as tax forms, tax envelopes, report covers, letterheads, and other important office supplies. While many firms have secretaries that keep their supplies stocked, it’s important to stay on top of these tasks and make sure you have the correct forms and paperwork each year.
What Jobs Accountants Can Do
Accountants are professionals who are responsible for the financial records of a company or individual. They are typically involved in the entire process, which involves recording and summarizing transactions, as well as preparing reports to meet regulatory requirements. They ensure that their clients have accurate books and prepare financial statements to provide information about their status. Most people know about CPAs and tax professionals, but there are other jobs you can do with these skills.
It’s a broad field that encompasses many different activities, but accountants usually specialize in one area. For example, some may specialize in tax accounting while others may specialize in auditing or forensic accounting. An auditor makes sure that a company’s financial statements comply with accounting principles. A forensics expert in the field investigates criminal incidents such as fraud and embezzlement. With this information in mind, you can decide if accounting is the right career path for you.