Accountants
Are the Most Wanted Employee
Hillary
Jeffries, Advertorial Writer, The
Shreveport Times, Shreveport, LA. Accountants
play an essential part in the business world today.
Responsible for keeping track of financial records, tax
laws, and
dispensing sound financial advice, accountants are
always needed to keep businesses running smoothly. It
should
come as no surprise then that college graduates with
degrees in accountancy are some of the most sought
after employees, according to a salary survey conducted
by
the National Association of Colleges and Employees.
There
are four different fields in accounting; they include
public, management, government and internal auditing.
Public accountants typically deal with taxation issues
for individuals and private businesses. Management accountants
handle financial records for businesses and advise them
on making sound financial decisions. Government accountants
maintain and examine government agency records and handle
other individuals and businesses that are subject to
government regulations. Internal auditors verify accuracy
of financial records and check for fraud within business
practices.
Education
and Training
A certified public accountant must be certified and licensed by the state of
Louisiana before they may practice. In order to obtain a license, applicants
must have a baccalaureate degree with 150 hours of college credit at an Accredited
institution. The 150 hours must include 24 hours in specific accounting and
24 hours of business courses. Applicants are also required to take the Uniform
Certified Public Accountant Examination, which is a four-part test offered
in May and November. The rigorous two day test covers everything related to
accounting including auditing, business law and professional responsibilities,
business enterprises, taxation, and managerial, governmental and not-for-profit
organizations. The test is given in New Orleans at the Superdome, Baton Rouge
at the Riverside Centroplex and Ruston at the Civic Center.
After
passing the examination applicants are required to complete
one year of experience under the supervision of a licensed
accountant before they can obtain their certificate.
Skills
Accountants need to have excellent mathematical skills, capable of analyzing
numbers and interpreting facts and figures for clients and firms to easily
understand. Accuracy plays an important role as well as solid oral and
written communication skills. Good judgment skills and a sense of integrity
are also necessary to advise others in making solid business decisions.
Strong computer skills are a must, as accounting software makes it easier
to keep track of financial records and reports.
Outlook
Accountants are a necessary component to ensure a successful business world,
and because of this the job market for accountants has been a positive
one. According to NACE, accountancy is the number one major in regards
to the number of job offers college graduates receive. The median salary
in the Shreveport area is around $33,503 for accountants. Many accountants
move up through the corporate ranks quickly and some open their own firms
or work out of their home offices.
Related
Fields
Other jobs related to accountancy include appraisers, budget officers, loan
officers, fine analysts, bank officers, actuaries, underwriters, tax collectors,
revenue agents, FBI special agents, and purchasing agents.
For
additional information on accountants check out these
websites:The State Board of Certified Public Accountants
of Louisiana www.cpaboard.state.la.us Career
Research, Accountants and Auditors www.careerfitter.com National
Society of Accountants www.nsacct.org National
Tax and Accountants’ Association www.ntaa.com.au Association
of Government Accountants www.agacgfm.org.
For
information regarding the Society of Louisiana Certified
Public Accountants, please refer to the following web
site http://www.lcpa.org
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