Since 2002's Sarbanes-Oxley Act rewrote corporate accounting and disclosure practices, demand for accountants has soared. Now, top accounting schools report that their students are fielding job offers well before they graduate, and the National Association of Colleges and Employers says that starting salaries for accounting jobs have hit an all time high average of $44,564.
It Pays to Specialize
Specialized accounting jobs cater to a select clientele or perform a specific accounting service. Forensic accountants, CPAs, and Certified Fraud Examiners specialize in law, taxation, and fraud. They're also one of
U.S. News' eight most secure career paths. Certified Elder Care Specialists focus their estate-planning careers on the needs of our aging population. Another hot growth area for CPA jobs is assurance services, according to the AICPA. Accountants with this career focus verify information and do risk assessment for businesses.
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A Range of Degrees and Responsibilities
In most states, becoming a CPA requires five years of study. However, you don't have to go the CPA route to benefit from the jobs boom in accounting. You can get a financially secure, in-demand paraprofessional accounting position with an associate's degree in accounting from a community college or business school. Paraprofessional accountants now do tax audits, prepare tax returns for both individuals and corporations, and provide payroll services. If you want a lucrative and secure part time career during tax seasons, consider paraprofessional accounting.
Bachelor's Degree and Beyond
A 120-hour bachelor's degree in accounting program prepares you for most accounting and auditing jobs, like management accounting (analyzing corporate books and practices), internal auditing (checking for waste or fraud), or government accounting (working for Uncle Sam). If you land an internship with the business for whom you'd like to work, you'll step right into a career at graduation. To become a CPA, you'll take another 30 hours of accounting courses and pass the four-part Uniform CPA Examination of the AICPA. If you're great at math and at communicating facts and figures, any accounting career offers job security.
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About the Author
Wendy Croix, Ph.D. is a freelance writer, cultural critic and university professor. In her twenty years as a professional educator, Wendy has guided hundreds of students toward the careers of their dreams.
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