There are many different types of accounting careers. These include financial accounting, management accounting, cost accounting, tax accounting forensic accounting, internal auditing and government accounting. Due to the many different careers, there are a great deal of accounting jobs. These jobs include:
- Bookkeeper – This is an entry level job that does not necessarily require a person to possess an accounting degree or qualification. In some cases, a company will provide on the job training for a bookkeeper. The main task for a bookkeeper is to keep record of routine transactions such as sales, purchases, expenses and payroll
- Accounting clerk – This is also an entry level accounting job but with upward mobility prospects. An accounting clerk will assist an accountant in carry out some of the more mundane accounting tasks such as maintaining ledgers. A clerk is not expected to have a degree but some accounting qualification will be good.
- Accountant – He will work for a company that is large and complex enough to warrant the services of an in house accountant. He is responsible for the preparation of financial reports and analysis of financial statements. An accountant will be required to have an accounting degree and another accounting qualification such as a CPA.
- Comptroller – This is an accountant at top level management. He is responsible for the entire accounting department in the organization. He is also charged with developing and implementing policies that make the company more efficient and profitable.
- Accounting Director – In a large accounting department, the accounting director will work under the comptroller and will be responsible for specific functions such as cost accounting.
- Management accountant – A top level accountant responsible for aiding management make decisions regarding the company’s strategic direction.
- Tax accountant – He is responsible for preparation and filing of income tax returns. He will also act as advisor to the company on all matters tax such as ways of avoiding tax liability.
- Chief financial officer – This is the most senior accountant in an organization. The CFO will use his extensive knowledge and experience to analyze information from the finance and accounting departments in order to determine the level of risk the company is exposed to. He will be responsible for formulating ways to mitigate the risks to the company. He is responsible for all the financial decisions the company makes. The CFO will report directly to the chief executive officer (CFO) and is usually a member of the company’s board of directors.
