The term ''accountant'' refers to a very broad field of work in the accounting industry. In this job, you perform many different tasks, work in a variety of different locations and offices and specialize in several different fields. In their jobs, accountants and auditors work in governments and private business to ensure that the financial operations run smoothly and without any criminal activities. The functions they perform are vital for the future of the economy and the financial independence of individual clients. In this field you can work in public or private accounting, management accounting, taxation, government accounting, in the film industry, working with environment or with law enforcement. The possibilities are almost endless when you choose a career in accounting.
You do not necessarily need a university degree to work in accounting, although you would not be classified as an accountant. However, many professionals get started in the accounting industry in entry-level jobs such as payroll clerk, accounts technician or other office jobs in which they learn the accounting industry from the ground up and gain valuable experience that will help them advance in their careers. The fundamental tasks associated with accounting include the preparation of financial statements, records and documents. As you gain experience you can broaden the scope of your responsibilities to include the role of budget analyst, internal auditor or information technology consulting.
As a public accountant, you will perform a wide variety of accounting and auditing work as well as bookkeeping, consulting and advising as well as handling investments for clients. Some people in this area of the accounting industry concentrate on only one facet, such as tax preparation for businesses. Your clients may be large corporation or charitable organizations. Others can work in areas of compensation for employees in health benefits or in the design of data-processing systems to make work easier for accounting staff.
Management accountants are often known as cost accountants, corporate accountants or private accountants. In this position, you would be an accountant for a private company and be responsible for the financial information of that company. One aspect of the job may be to estimate the costs involved in taking on certain projects or making acquisitions and providing recommendations for the company management. When you do take on the projects, you will also have to maintain the financial records to ensure that they do not exceed the budget set for each one.
As an accountant with the government, you will work in the public sector in various capacities. You may work at auditing the books of government departments or private businesses or work with tax collection in state or federal governments. There are many positions available in reviewing income tax returns submitted by individuals and businesses. There are also many different types of highly specialized auditors, such as those that deal with auditing electronic processing systems or assessing insurance premiums. With experience and certifications, you can also set up your own business and take on clients of your own in the accounting field.
