What Are the Different Types of Career Opportunities for Accountants?

A wide variety of career opportunities for accountants are available. Public, private, and government agencies generally offer several accounting positions. Certain aspects of accounting such as auditing, taxes, and bookkeeping might be a few of the career opportunities found in a number of different industries. Budgeting and management are two areas that usually offer specific accounting jobs as well.

An auditor examines the financial records of an institution and certifies they are correct and properly recorded. Career opportunities for accountants in the auditing field usually require patience and a desire to pay attention to many details. Auditors might work for an agency and be sent out to various job locations, or it is possible for them to work on their own and select their clients.

Tax accountants usually handle a variety of accounting procedures relevant to government tax laws. This generally requires additional accounting knowledge specific to the region’s tax laws. Career opportunities for accountants who work in the tax industry might involve seasonal tax work or year-round work for large corporations that have extensive tax regulations to follow.

Financial recordkeeping is another one of the career opportunities for accountants usually available in the workforce. Many business owners either have little time to worry about bookkeeping or feel they do not have the required knowledge. This usually means they hire someone to keep these records for them. A general accountant might have his or her own company and provide services for a variety of clients or serve as the staff accountant at a company.

Budgeting is an aspect of accounting that is sometimes handled by a general finance department or assigned to a specific individual or group of people. This task usually involves ensuring a budget is created, the budget is adhered to, and any necessary adjustments are made. Some entities require minimal budget accounting while others utilize it throughout the year.

Management accounting is usually performed within a management team. This type of accountant is generally responsible for assisting management in creating a budget for specific projects and assessing the financial costs and risks of certain decisions. Management accounting usually involves a variety of projects at once, depending upon the size of the company and the number of projects they have going at one time.

Various industries might also have specific career opportunities for accountants. Those responsible for working within these various industries must usually possess knowledge applicable to that particular field, specialized financial training, or certifications. This might require additional education or on-the-job training.