ACCOUNTANT By Radhika Bhakta WHAT ACCOUNTANT DO Accountants

ACCOUNTANT By Radhika Bhakta

WHAT ACCOUNTANT DO? Accountants prepare and examine financial records. They ensure that financial records are accurate and that taxes are paid properly and on time. They assess financial operations and work to help ensure that organizations run smoothly. Accounting is often called the "language of business" because it deals with interpreting and communicating information about a company's operations and finances

REQUIREMENTS Most employers require a candidate to have a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field. Certification within a specific field of accounting improves job prospects. Many accountants become Certified Public Accountants (CPAs)

WORK ENVIRONMENT Most accountants work full time. About 1 in 5 worked more than 40 hours per week. Overtime hours are typical at certain times of the year, such as at the end of the budget year or during the tax season.

OCCUPATION PAY Median Pay (annual) - $63, 550 Median Pay (hourly) - $30. 55 75 th Percentile - $87, 530 Median – $65, 940 25 th Percentile – $51, 130

WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO DO TO BECOME A CPA? The timeline to licensing includes education, examination and experience. Before you do anything else, complete a program of study in accounting at a college/university. The AICPA recommends at least 150 semester hours of college coursework. The next step is to take the Uniform CPA Examination. Upon passing the CPA Exam, you will receive your CPA certificate. This is not a license to practice. Once you have obtained your CPA license to practice, you will need to take continuing professional education courses annually to retain your license.

WHY SHOULD YOU GET YOUR CPA? The CPA credential is a symbol of trust and professionalism in the world of business. It's a highly challenging professional track, but the CPAs are considered the most trusted advisors in business.

WHAT KINDS OF OPPORTUNITIES ARE THERE FOR WOMEN IN THE CPA PROFESSION? During present time, women are becoming CPAs because accounting is a field with increasingly interesting work, flexibility, a high level of respect and attractive financial rewards. As of the year 2000, 57 percent of new accounting graduates were women.

BECOMING A CPA Accounting is extremely important to any company because the financial information, as interpreted by CPAs, allows executives to make informed business decisions-decisions that help those companies become more successful. Are CPA and accountants the same thing? All CPAs are accountants, but not all accountants are Certified Public Accountants (CPAs). The principal differences between accountants and CPAs are education, experience, and opportunity. Becoming a CPA is a challenging goal, but one very much within your reach. A CPA is a trusted financial advisor who helps individuals, businesses, and other organizations plan and reach their financial goals.

WILL I TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY? Yes, this occupation is my second choice after criminal justice. Maybe I won’t really take this opportunity but it’s the thought that counts. I just want to try this career out because my uncle and brother have completed the accounting phase.