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Job Description: Accountants work for independent accounting firms, government agencies, and other types of business organizations. Some are self-employed. Many accountants and auditors are broadening the services they offer to include budget analysis, financial and investment planning, information technology consulting, and limited legal services. Some may choose to specialize in certain areas of accounting such as budgets, internal auditing, or cost accounting. Many employers require that accountants hold a certified public accountant (CPA) certificate.

Duties: Public accountants perform a broad range of accounting, auditing, tax, and consulting activities for clients who may include corporations, governments, private companies, nonprofit organizations, or individuals. Within each field, they often concentrate on one aspect of accounting to include:

• Management accountants -- also called industrial, corporate, or private accountants -- record and analyze financial information
• Government accountants work for agencies such as the Internal Revenue Service and may be involved in evaluating operations at the federal, state, or local level
• Accounting consultants may offer advice on compensation or employee health benefits
• Forensic accountants investigate and interpret bankruptcies and other complex transactions
• Auditors examine clients' financial statements and report to stakeholders

For additional information on tasks, knowledge, skills, abilities, work activities, work contexts, job zones, interests, work styles, work values, and related occupations visit the O*Net Online, a division of the National Center for Occupational Information.

Working Conditions: Most accountants work in a typical office setting. Self-employed accountants may be able to do part of their work at home. Accountants employed by public accounting firms and government agencies may travel frequently to perform audits at branches of their firm, clients' places of business, or government facilities. Most accountants work a standard 40-hour week. Those who are self-employed may work longer hours. Accountants who are tax specialists are particularly busy during the tax season.

Educational Requirements: Persons planning a career in accounting should have an aptitude for mathematics and be able to analyze, compare, and interpret facts and figures quickly. They must be able to clearly communicate the results of their work to clients and managers. Most employers usually require four years of college (including 24 semester hours in accounting or auditing) or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Some employers prefer applicants with a master's degree in accounting or with a master's degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting. CPA certification is desirable. For related information and recommended courses to prepare for this occupation, Tennessee high school students may visit the Business and Information Technology Standards online.

Outlook: The estimated number of accountants and auditors in Tennessee is 16,820. It is projected there will be a 19 percent increase in this occupation through the year 2012 with 635 job openings annually. For additional information on this occupation, visit the nationally recognized Occupational Outlook Handbook online.

Salary

• Bureau of Labor Statistics, Tennessee Department of Labor website
• TN Department of Labor & Workforce Development website
• Bureau of Economic Analysis website

For an explanation of salary data please visit acinet.org

Last updated on: January 22, 2008