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Lee Iacocca - Where Have All the Leaders Gone?

Book Review: Where Have All the Leaders Gone?

Lee Iacocca with Catherine Whitney

MBA Business Schools - Finance Jobs

Finance Jobs


Accounting and Finance Jobs: Your Ticket to the Executive Suite?

You listen to the news and wonder what's going on with high profile finance jobs. You're dedicated to honesty and excellence, and you want to enhance your career. An MBA degree can lead to executive positions in corporate finance.

 

By Karen Lawson
klawson@mba-business-schools.com
MBA-business-schools Columnist

You’ve put in a few years at a great company, but want more. You’re thinking about an MBA degree, and you wonder if it’s the right choice for your career path. An MBA degree can help you earn certification in multiple accounting specialties and prepare you for executive positions in accounting and senior levels of executive management.

Strong Outlook for Accounting and Finance Jobs

The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts average growth for accounting and finance management jobs through 2014 and estimates that candidates holding Master’s degrees will have better than average job prospects. Increased scrutiny of corporate accounting practices and requirements for detailed documentation of financial statements, capital management practices and corporate earnings statements have led to a need for management professionals in the areas of accounting and finance. An MBA degree can prepare you for management positions including:

  • Chief Accountant
  • Budget Director
  • Controller / Treasurer
  • Chief Financial Officer
  • Senior Corporate Executive (Vice President, President)

What Do I Need to Know?

Management jobs in accounting and finance often require special certifications. Your course of study for an MBA degree may include courses in preparing and evaluating financial statements, working-capital policy, capital- structure valuation, and accounting technology. Courses in accounting and finance can help you prepare for taking exams for professional certifications, and will help you meet specific job requirements.

Your MBA Degree Can Lead to the Executive Suite

If you want a corner office in the executive suite, an MBA degree can help you realize your dreams. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, many senior level executives have a background in accounting and finance.

Source:

Bureau of Labor Statistics

About the Author

Karen Lawson is a freelance writer whose interests include career education. She earned an MA degree from the University of Nevada, Reno.

Posted on July 14, 2006 at 06:06 PM

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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 09, 2006 at 05:46 PM

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