Best Careers: Accountant

The rundown:

This profession is the epitome of left-brain thinking. Logic and thoroughness are two of the most important skills you'll need. But there is also passion involved: To enjoy the job, you must love numbers, particularly the practical application of numbers. Most accountants work as public accountants charged with financial recordkeeping and tax services for a range of clients. Public accountants are typically employed by large accounting firms, but many have individual practices. There are also management accountants, who work for large companies and other organizations.

[See a list of The 50 Best Careers.]

The outlook:

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects accountant and auditor employment growth of 22 percent between 2008 and 2018, adding 279,400 more positions to the 1.29 million already-existing jobs. The accounting profession is often tied to the growth of the economy. More business creation means more clients. Despite the recession, the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the number of accountants to grow faster than the national average for job growth. Demand for accountants has increased because of more complicated financial regulations, such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The likely prospect of tax increases also means that people will turn to accountants.

Money:

In 2009, the median annual wage for accountants and auditors was $60,340, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The best-paid 10 percent of accountants made more than $104,450, while the bottom 10 percent made less than $37,690. The best-paid accountants reside in New York, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia.

Upward mobility:

There is significant room for advancement for a starting accountant. A public accountant might begin at the bottom of the totem pole at his or her firm, then after a few years rise to a managerial position, and eventually become a partner at the firm. Others might choose to start their own firms.

Activity level:

Accounting is not known as an adventurous career. The work is deadline-oriented, however, so you may feel more active than you would at a typical job.

[See a list of the best business careers.]

Stress level:

Moderate to high. Many accountants work more than 40 hours a week—especially tax accountants during tax season.

Education and preparation:

A bachelor's degree is the first prerequisite. To work as a public accountant, you will probably need to become a certified public accountant. That means taking a uniform exam set by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Like passing the bar to practice law in a certain state, you will probably need to take the exam in the state in which you wish to work. Most states require at least 150 hours of related of coursework before you become eligible to take the exam. That's one reason why many aspiring accountants choose to get a master's degree in accounting. There are other certifications. For example, the Institute of Management Accountants offers a Certified Management Accountant designation, which requires a bachelor's degree, two years of work in management accounting, and passing an exam. It is possible to do accounting work without these certifications. In that case, you would probably be working under a certified accountant.

[Find online degree programs in business.]

Real advice from real people about landing a job as an accountant:

An accounting degree, along with a well-rounded education, can increase your chances of success in this field. "Along with learning the technical skills, students should take communications courses and begin developing their leadership skills to prepare them for their future careers," says Vivian Moller, president of the American Society of Women Accountants. "Also, it's never too soon to begin building your network, which may lead to a future job or client." She suggests joining a professional organization after graduation to network, and considering continuing education opportunities.

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