An accounting degree is a very practical business degree that opens the door to a great deal of different job opportunities. There are accounting jobs to be found on the both the private and public level that may require additional certifications to pursue. The best thing about accounting is that it’s very easy to find a job. This form of bookkeeping is required for just about every business on earth. There are over 190,000 accounting jobs in the United States. The average accountant takes home around $60,000 annually.
Certified Public Accountant
A certified public accountant, or CPA, is a special type of accountant that can hold specific jobs involving tax preparation for the public sector. Not every accountant becomes a CPA. The path to becoming a CPA requires a large amount of arduous study outside of an associate or bachelor’s degree in accounting. Certified public accountants have to pass a test proctored by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. A CPA may also have to pass a test administered on a state level. As with other forms of licenses, there is often continuing education required after graduating to ensure that the CPA keeps up with changes in tax laws. Many accountants never pass the CPA exam. They may still perform jobs related to CPA accounting within the capacity that the law allows. A CPA may also work as a business consultant. Accountants working in this capacity may look for ways to save businesses money. They may also use their accounting savvy to make the business appealing to prospective investors. Accountants with CPA licenses earn an average of $73,000 dollars annually.
Comptroller
A comptroller could be explained most simply as an accounting supervisor. Comptrollers often oversee various functions within business management that pertain to recording financial documents. Comptrollers monitor internal controls within a business to ensure that everything within the business is running smoothly on a financial level. Comptrollers may act in a similar capacity to auditors on an internal level within a business. Comptrollers that work for the state make a median salary of $170,000 annually. Becoming a successful comptroller can be an arduous process similar to reaching upper management positions within a corporation. If you decide you want to become a comptroller, it is a good idea to start out as a general accountant.
Tax Accountant
Tax accountants work for people looking for help doing their taxes. A tax accountant is usually highly knowledgeable in tax laws on a state and federal level. People hire tax accountants to help them keep money on their federal income taxes. Tax accountants may also work in preparing tax statements for businesses. There are many CPAs that work as tax accountants. These accountants earn an average salary of $59,000 per year. A bachelor’s degree in accounting is most likely a necessary step in becoming one of these professionals.
Auditor
Auditors are independent certified public accountants that look at financial statements that a company has made. Auditors make sure that the financial statements listed are accurate, complete and truthful. There are a set of standards and practices set in place that each auditor must follow known as GAAP. GAAP stands for Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Auditors in the United States have a median income of $61,690 annually. Becoming an auditor usually requires a bachelor or master’s degree. Auditor jobs are expected to grow 16% by 2020.