Career in Accounting

Career in Accounting Tammy Doll Everest University Online September 2012 Career in Accounting I have always wanted a career in Accounting. I was always good in math and keeping things organized. Although it is not what my parents wanted for me. They wanted me to become a nurse. There are quite a few steps that I must take to become an accountant. Through minimal education requirements and continued education I will better myself and grow within my career. As an Accountant I would have a multitude of responsibilities depending on what field that I decided to go in.There are several fields I could go into, Auditing in which I would go into a business or to an individual and do a complete audit on their financial history. There is a Budget Analysis career option in which I would be responsible for the financial plans of a business. Another career field would be Management Accounting which is basically running a business, deciding when and where to spend the money. The career that I woul d like to have in the accounting field would be to become a Certified Public Accountant.A certified public accountant is responsible for preparing and auditing annual financial statements. I would also be responsible for completing tax returns for businesses and personal income taxes. (Accounting coach, 2004-2012) There are several things that I have to accomplish before I get my CPA. First I must get my Associates degree in accounting, which will allow me to get some experience. Then I will go for my bachelor’s degree. Just a bachelor’s degree in accounting is not enough to qualify for my CPA license. Accounting coach, 2004-2012) I would need to have 150 college credits and also pass an ethics exam in order to sit for the CPA exam. Different states have different requirements to maintain my CPA license, but generally I would have to take so many higher education credits per year to recertify. To get where I want to be there is a lot of steps that I must climb, I am up to the challenge. There is a wide range of opportunities for me, depending on the degree I obtain in Accounting.Just having an associate’s degree in accounting certifies me to be a bookkeeper or an accounting clerk. The salary I could expect to make is $18,000 to $40,000 per year. Going on with my dream and pursuing my bachelor’s degree and ultimately my CPA I could earn $40,000 to $80,000 per year depending on experience. (Accounting coach, 2004-2012) Accountants must be well organized and be knowledgeable of financial documents. They must also be trustworthy, honest, have strong communication skills and be very attentive to detail. (Ford) Smith, 2012). It is also very helpful that I am knowledgeable of using Excel and similar computer programs, because spreadsheets are the core of accounting organization. After completing this paper and doing extra research, I still want a career in Accounting. I have a lot of hard work ahead of me. Organization and math was always one of my stronger qualities. I am ready to better myself through further education and be the best that I can be in my career. ReferencesAccounting Coach. (2004-2012). CPA requirements, accounting jobs and opportunities. In Accounting Coach (Ed. ), Retrieved from http://www. Accountingcoach. com/careers/CPA-requirement. html Careers in business. In (1997). Careers in Accounting. Retrieved from http://www. Career-in- Accounting. com (Ford) Smith. (2012). Traits, skills, and personal characteristics for an accountant. In Retrieved from http://www. chron. com/traits-skills-personal-characteristics-accountants-9716. html