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Public Accountants handle a variety of needs for corporations, individuals, or government agencies.  They may advise on employee healthcare benefits, the selection of company safeguards and controls, as well as deliver other basic accounting, tax, and/or auditing services.  Strict laws have been implemented in order to reduce the amount of interaction one accountant may have with a company’s finances.  Accountants, who provide investment consulting, asset management, and budget preparation, are not permitted to create individual financial statements when working for a corporation.  These regulations have made fraud more difficult to accomplish. 

Public Accountants may choose to specialize as Certified Public Accountants (CPA) or Forensic Accountants.  CPAs generally operate their own business, or work for large firms.  Forensic Accountants are in charge of investigating and reporting financial fraud, which has been increasingly scrutinized in recent years.  Their investigations, in which they work together with law enforcement officials, may include securities fraud, embezzlement, contract disputes, or money laundering.  Management, Industrial, Cost, Corporation, and Private Accountants work for an individual company, handling all financial activities such as creating budgets, performing evaluations, and asset management.  Government Accountants do these same activities, but are employed in State, Federal, or Local government offices.  They act as a guarantee that all funds are being acquired and paid in accordance with laws and regulations. 

Traditionally, accountants work from offices within an organization.  However, technology has made it feasible for work to be done out of clients’ facilities, or personal home offices.  Self employed professionals may work extended hours, but normal schedules are 40 hour weeks.  During peak times, such as tax season or the end of a fiscal year, extended hours may arise.  Accountants employed in government agencies or public firms may commonly travel to client businesses or homes to perform auditing duties. 

Mandatory education varies depending on the employer, but the most common form is a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or an equivalent combination of experience and college course work.  Some employers prefer only those professionals who posses a Master’s degree in Business Administration with an Accounting focus.  Previous experience is helpful when entering the accounting field which is causing many colleges to offer internship programs in conjunction with education.  Licensing for accountants is available and generally consists of a CPA examination.  The exam is a two day, four part exam and accountants must pass all four parts before they are able to become licensed.  There are various additional certifications available to CPAs depending on the specialty they have chosen. 

Accountant careers are projected to grow faster than average industries.  They will be continually needed as businesses grow and expand, creating increased financial records.  As the population has become aware of embezzlement, laundering, and other fraudulent activities, stricter laws and regulations have been implemented.  This will add to the demand for Management Accountants to ensure records are accurate, and Forensic Accountants for detecting existing activities.  Since Accountants are able to handle an increasing number of responsibilities, they are a great asset to organizations, and will have favorable opportunities through 2014.  For more information on a career as an Accountant, please visit the following sites:

• Society of California Accountants
• Accreditation Council for Accountancy and Taxation
• St. Louis Accountant
• South College
• Accounting Advice

For a list of available Accountant positions as well as a database of Accountant professionals, please visit iHireAccounting.