The definition of accounting is the study of how a business keeps track of its income and assets over a period of time. Accountants not only prepare financial statements and records, but they also compute costs, compute efficiency gains from new technology, participate in strategic moves in mergers and acquisitions, do quality management, conduct tax strategy, and manage healthcare benefits.

There are three types of accounting businesses: sole proprietor—a lone and independent CPA with numerous clients; partnership—one CPA company working with another CPA firm and sharing clients or a CPA who joins an established firm; and corporation—joining a big company which employs many accountants. An accountant can work for a for-profit firm or for a non-profit organization like a city, state, or federal organization. The private jobs pay more on average compared to the government jobs, but there is less job security.

A career in accounting is very rewarding. You will learn the workings of a business from the inside out, and you will be stimulated and challenged in a job that is forever evolving. Accountants learn the nuts and bolts of a company because they delve deep inside the structure of the business. It is a fact that many very successful business people got their starts as accountants. Most CFOs of the biggest companies have an accounting background. There is not a much better choice for a CFO than an accountant because accountants truly understand what drives business and profits within a given company.

Accountants are in demand. There are many accountant jobs available even in these tough economic times. Accountants will never go out of style, nor can they be replaced with computers. In light of the many financial scandals in the news recently, the field of accounting has expanded.

If you could get yourself hired at a public accounting firm to get your feet wet, that would be of great benefit. Very few people become partners at these big public firms, but the experience you attain is priceless.

There are tens of thousands of people in the United States who are hired into public accounting firms at the entry level each year. These are typically new college graduates who have done an internship in college. People are hired into small businesses as bookkeepers, accountants, and auditing clerks without necessarily having to have attended college. Sometimes just training and a general interest in working with financial records will suffice in landing this type of accounting job.

If you wish to get into accounting, you should have strong math, computer, analytical, and communication skills and of course a great knowledge of accounting, depending on the level of the position. There are career opportunities for people with varying levels of formal education. Accounting is called the ''language of business.'' This language is far reaching and there are many careers that fall within the scope of accounting. A career in accounting is promising, and the job opportunities are great.

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