Accounting is More Than Just Numbers, It's a Solid Future

If there is any accountant who should be considered the foundation of the profession, it's the Certified Public Accountant (CPA). This is the most prominently known of the four identified categories, the other three being Certified Management Accountants, Certified Internal Auditors, and Accredited Business Accounts. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, of the near 2 million accountants as of 2008, 1.29 (nearly 65%) are CPAs. If that isn't enough, the Bureau projects exceptional growth, with a need for 22% more by 2018. That alone goes a long way towards explaining why obtaining a masters degree and becoming a CPA is also one of the stalwart professions of online colleges.



A strong head for numbers and a Bachelors of Science with a strong major in accountancy are the basics towards being a CPA. Computer literacy is an absolute must. From there, one must pass a state-run certification exam, preferably after doing a state-decided number of work hours. About the only real obstacle in the job is if an accountant moves out of state, he or she must apply to the new state for certification. In some states, that's just as simple filing of papers. In others, the accountant is required to take their exam.



The main responsibility of a CPA is to assure an investor, private individual, corporation or state authority that a financial statement is correct. This can range from a profit/loss statement, application for a loan, tax statement or any other similar record. As such, the accountant must also have knowledge of local, state and federal bylines regarding the types of financial statements.



The job also comes with a need for perpetual education, due to the ever-changing nature of the financial world. For instance, what could have been a tax deduction a year previously might not work today. To do this, many an accountant attends numerous seminars and additional online courses to stay on top of their field.



There are a number of professional organizations that will be glad to advise someone wanting to become an accountant. These include the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the American Institute of CPA's, and the National Association of State Boards of Accountants. They can be easily accessed through any competent search engine. Many of these groups also offer financial aid in the form of scholarships and grant programs.



Entering and advancing in the accounting field may be starting to sound as if it's just a lot of hard work. While there's no denying it does take dedication, the financial rewards are commensurate. Starting out, the new accountant will be in the mid-20's range, with a potential in the six-figures. Tax accountants, on average according to the BLS, earn approximately $62,000, while a state accountant earns around $50,000, with adjustments made for the state's own pay guidelines and the number of years of experience offered.



Additional perks almost always include health insurance, as well as a number of fairly intensive investment and retirement packages. Also, many board members and senior executives of major corporations started as CPAs, their financial knowledge opening doors for their advancement. Another option is to go on to purse a law degree for the lucrative field as a tax attorney.

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