Accountant

Leah Estep
Why I want to be an Acountant
I like to do math and figure problems out.
I keep everything organized.
I feel like accounting is easy and fun.
Job Posting #1
http://jobview.monster.com/Tax-Audit-Accounting-
Staff-Job-Roanoke-VA-140400381.aspx

Job Posting #2
http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobseeker/jobs/jobd
etails.aspx?sc_cmp1=js_jrp_jobclick&APath=2.21.0.
0.0&job_did=JHR3C45XNG68ZJ3STJC&showNewJDP
=yes&IPath=QHKV0A

Job Task and Responsibilities
Prepare and examine financial records
Organize and maintain accurate records
Ensure that financial statements comply with laws and
regulations
Compute taxes owed, prepare tax returns and ensure
prompt payment
Assess financial operations
Advise ways to reduce costs, enhance revenues and
improve profits

Occupational Outlook Quick Facts
2012 Median Pay-$63,550
per year; $30.55 per hour
Entry-Level Education-
Bachelors degree
Work Experience in a
Related Occupation-None
On-the-job Training-None
Number of Jobs, 2012-
1,275,400

Job Outlook
Employment of accountants
and auditors is projected to
grow 13 percent from 2012
to 2022, about as fast as the
average for all occupations.
In general, employment
growth of accountants and
auditors is expected to be
closely tied to the health of
the overall economy. As the
economy grows, these
workers will continue to be
needed to prepare and
examine financial records.

Job Description
On the job, accountants:
Examine statements to ensure accuracy
Ensure that statements and records comply with laws and regulations
Compute taxes owed, prepare tax returns, ensure prompt payment
Inspect account books and accounting systems to keep up to date
Organize and maintain financial records
Improve businesses efficiency where money is concerned
Make best-practices recommendations to management
Suggest ways to reduce costs, enhance revenues and improve profits
Provide auditing services for businesses and individuals

Work Environment
Most accountants and auditors work full time. In 2012,
about 1 in 5 worked more than 40 hours per week.
Longer hours are typical at certain times of the year,
such as at the end of the budget year or during tax
season.
Skills Required
Analytical skills. Accountants and auditors must be able to identify issues in
documentation and suggest solutions.
Communication skills. Accountants and auditors must be able to listen carefully to
facts and concerns from clients, managers, and others. They must also be able to
discuss the results of their work in both meetings and written reports.
Detail oriented. Accountants and auditors must pay attention to detail when
compiling and examining documentation.
Math skills. Accountants and auditors must be able to analyze, compare, and
interpret facts and figures, although complex math skills are not necessary.
Organizational skills. Strong organizational skills are important for accountants and
auditors who often work with a range of financial documents for a variety of
clients.

The Career Project #1
Accounting Clerk Female, age 27
Her job field is in finances and she is a accounting clerk.
She has worked for Homes and Land Magazine for two
years, and she works about 40 hrs. a week. Her duties
and responsibilities are the A/R, A/P reports and mainly
data entry. Her gross income was $25,000 in one year.
Career Project #2
Accounting Clerk Senior Female, age 36
Her job field is accounting and the job title is
Accounting Clerk Senior. She has worked for Big Ten
University for two years; 40 hours per week. Her duties
and responsibilities are recording accounts, creating
monthly and daily accounts receivable and accounts
payable reports and to enter payroll information. Her
gross income was $35,000 in one year.
Pros and Cons
Pros
1. You know your path
2. Potential for growth
3. Accountants are in high
demand
4. You have the potential to be
paid well
5. Youre not tied down
6. Different career areas

Cons
1. Getting certified
2. Accounting may be a bit
boring ...
3. Work-life balance

Experience and Skills
Some classes that I have taken to help me in my
preferred career:
Business Computer1-2
Accounting
I have great organization skills.
I am great with math.
I love to do accounting.
Plans and Goals After Graduation
After high school, I plan on taking some time off
before I go to college. My first year of college will be
at New River Community and Technical College just
to get my prerequisite courses out of the way. Then,
I plan on transferring to Concord. I am going to
major in either accounting. I will probably find a job
closer to Concord after I move, so I wont have much
travel time. My dream job is to be an accountant.
Sources
http://www.allbusinessschools.com/business-
careers/accounting/job-description
Bureau of Labor Statistics
http://www.thecareerproject.org/job-
profile/2792/Accounting
http://www.thecareerproject.org/job-
profile/346/Accounting
http://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/business/blog/mus
t-know-pros-cons-accounting-career/