There is a whole world of possibilities and opportunities waiting for
you in accounting. The new century will bring revolutionary changes
in your career path. Accounting, already a dynamic field, will
continue to evolve in exciting ways. The information explosion
sweeping our society is broadening the demand for and scope of
services provided by accountants.
The accounting profession has emerged as one of the leading growth
professions throughout the world, and is poised to make a strong entrance
into the new century. A variety of new specialties and above-average job opportunities make
accounting one of the "hot" professions for the year 2000 and beyond.
A study by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
shows that job opportunities in accounting are growing at
two-and-a-half times the national average.
Accounting is often
referred to as the "language of business." Instant communications,
rapid commercial transactions and expanding international trade have
enlarged the world's financial markets and increased the role
accountants play in the global business community.
Accounting opens
doors in every king of business-coast to coast. Professional
accounting careers are open to men and women of all ethnic and social
backgrounds. Success requires motivation, a commitment to service and
good skills in analysis and communication. Also important are the
abilities to work as a member of a team, think abstractly and solve
problems logically. Accountants are often required to draw upon their
knowledge of business operations and finance, as well as other areas
such as behavioral sciences.
Today, the role of the certified public
accountant (CPA) ranks among the most demanding in the American
economic community. It is a role that is vital to our business
environment. Certified public accountants can choose from a variety
of career paths. As public accounting practitioners, CPAs are
proprietors, partners or staff members of public accounting firms of
varying size and specialties. CPAs are also employed in business and
industry, government and education as chief financial officers,
controllers, internal auditors and a variety of other management
positions. They counsel and assist both privately-owned and
publicly-held companies, financial institutions, not-for-profit
organizations, individual investors and all levels of government.
A
sampling of career opportunities for certified public accountants in
public practice include: auditing and accounting services, tax
advisory services, personal financial planning, management advisory
services, and litigation support services. Many CPAs take positions
in business or industry and become important members of a company's
senior management team.
Areas of involvement for CPAs working in
business and industry include: financial reporting, internal
auditing, tax planning and compliance, management reporting, and
corporate finance. CPAs also have career opportunities in
governmental and not-for-profit organizations as well as a career as
an accounting educator.
So if you have a knack for numbers, the count
your lucky stars because a career in accounting can really take you
places.
Sound interesting? Here's how to get started-enroll in a
college or university that offers a degree in accounting or finance.
To get the most mileage from your accounting degree, plan on earning
150 semester hours of college credit (see model curriculum). To earn
the highest professional designation in accounting-the designation of
certified public accountant (CPA)-you must pass a rigorous
two-and-a-half day exam.
CPAs do more than simply "crunch
numbers"-whether as an auditor, tax adviser, educator, management
consultant, business leader or government official, CPAs carry out
their assignments with independence, integrity and objectivity. As
professionals, certified public accountants are trained to logically
seek out solutions to diverse problems while applying sound, ethical
judgments.
-- Article courtesy of the Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants. More information about the Society, please contact Member Relations Coordinator, Minnesota Society of CPAs, 1650 West 82nd Street, Suite 600, Bloomington, MN 55431. Phone: 952-831-2707. Fax: 952-831-7875. Web: http://www.mncpa.org/career/Stude nt_Resources/cc_futurecpa_center.asp
