Accounting Jobs: Careers from Hollywood to Wall Street

Until recently, accountants were often viewed as unimaginative number crunchers. Nowadays, we hear of huge corporate scandals involving venerable accounting firms and huge corporations. If you are considering an accounting career, there are plenty of opportunities available for ethical professionals. Think of those two guys on the red carpet. An accounting job can lead almost anywhere!

Until recently, accountants were often viewed as unimaginative number crunchers. Nowadays, we hear of huge corporate scandals involving venerable accounting firms and huge corporations. If you are considering an accounting career, there are plenty of opportunities available for ethical professionals. Think of those two guys on the red carpet. An accounting job can lead almost anywhere!

Who carries a briefcase while walking the red carpet? Accountants, that’s who. Accounting firms do much more than prepare income taxes and make excuses for corporate crooks. If you like working with numbers, statistics, and forecasting financial trends, a career in accounting may be for you.

Accountants: From Nerd to Superhero?

When you think of accountants, you might think of auditors, such as the “tax man,” or slick corporate crooks who “cook the books.” Actually, accountants do a lot of interesting (and legal) jobs. Here are some examples:

• Financial Examiners verify compliance with laws and regulations governing financial and securities transactions, and also real estate transactions
• Public Accountants and Certified Public Accountants, or CPAs, may specialize in areas such as tax accounting, compensation and benefits analysis, and development of computerized accounting systems. May oversee tabulation of surveys, contests and polls.
• Business Managers for Entertainers, Artists and Athletes — Manage assets, create and administer budgets, and make recommendations for investments, and business activities.

You’ll Need More than a Calculator and a Briefcase

Most accounting jobs require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, and graduate work or certification is often required for high profile accounting positions. Many online degree programs offer accounting degrees and CPA programs designed to accommodate working professionals. You should seek an accredited program that suits your goals.

Source:

Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Handbook

Posted on June 9, 2006 at 5:46 PM

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