Accounting Employment Trends

Despite recent negative economic cycles, accounting employment remains strong throughout the nation.  By 2012, the accounting employment rate is expected to increase by 19.5 percent for accountants, auditors, tax specialists, and bookkeepers due to anticipated demographic and economic changes. Accounting employment statistics for 2002 reveal that accountants and auditors held approximately 888,690 jobs.

There are a number of factors that have an affect on the trends of the accounting industry each year.  Increasing technology, tax season, laws, and the projection of new businesses affect the number of occupations in the accounting industry.  While candidates are able to complete processes more quickly and eliminate numerous steps with many of the automated systems available, these professionals are still needed to carry out many required procedures.  Evolving technologies may improve the accounting employment outlook as skilled and knowledgeable accountants are required.  Online services have and will continue to increase the amount of business companies take on by allowing tax, accounting, and consulting processes to be handled via online services. 

Each year spikes in business occur around the annual income tax season.  Many businesses put off planning and preparing records until late in the year, and must scramble at the last minute to get everything completed.  These deadlines often create the necessity for increased staffing.  Many employers plan ahead by visiting tax specialists year round in order to ensure all records are complete, and that available tax breaks have been utilized.  Tax professionals often file extensions to ensure they have adequate time for preparing documents for customers.

Forensic accounting careers have greatly increased due to the increased regulations on businesses.  As awareness of factors such as embezzlement, securities, and bankruptcy frauds increase, professionals trained to investigate and eliminate these occurrences are needed.  The economic growth projected among most industries will have quite an impact on the accounting field.  As new companies begin their businesses, associates will be needed to set up, test, and monitor systems, prepare financial statements, and handle tax procedures.  Accounting careers will experience growth as more companies originate. 

For additional information on accounting employment, professionals recommend researching websites specializing in accounting.  The following are websites dedicated to the accounting industry:

• First Research
• CMA Campus Connection
• Student Studio
• CPA Trendlines
• Long Island University

Our accounting job board is dedicated to assisting candidates find the positions they want and employers find professionals they require. Current job titles available include: