Login Now to visit your portfolio or Create An Account if you don't already have one.

Job Definition
View MovieExamine and analyze accounting records to determine financial status of establishment and prepare financial reports concerning operating procedures.
Job Zone

Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

Most of these occupations require a four - year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Interests
Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Enterprising - Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Investigative - Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Knowledge
Economics and Accounting - Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Skills
Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Tasks
Direct activities of personnel engaged in filing, recording, compiling and transmitting financial records.
Produce up-to-the-minute information, using internal computer systems, to allow management to base decisions on actual, not historical, data.
Conduct pre-implementation audits to determine if systems and programs under development will work as planned.
Review taxpayer accounts, and conduct audits on-site, by correspondence, or by summoning taxpayer to office.
Evaluate taxpayer finances to determine tax liability, using knowledge of interest and discount rates, annuities, valuation of stocks and bonds, and amortization valuation of depletable assets.
Examine records, tax returns, and related documents pertaining to settlement of decedent's estate.
Audit payroll and personnel records to determine unemployment insurance premiums, workers' compensation coverage, liabilities, and compliance with tax laws.
Supervise auditing of establishments, and determine scope of investigation required.
Prepare, analyze, and verify annual reports, financial statements, and other records, using accepted accounting and statistical procedures to assess financial condition and facilitate financial planning.
Confer with company officials about financial and regulatory matters.
Inspect cash on hand, notes receivable and payable, negotiable securities, and canceled checks to confirm records are accurate.
Examine inventory to verify journal and ledger entries.
Examine whether the organization's objectives are reflected in its management activities, and whether employees understand the objectives.
Examine records and interview workers to ensure recording of transactions and compliance with laws and regulations.
Collect and analyze data to detect deficient controls, duplicated effort, extravagance, fraud, or non-compliance with laws, regulations, and management policies.
Wages

In 2008, the California average annual wage was $71,500.00.

Most people employed in this occupation were paid between $41,000.00 and $108,470.00.

Outlook

During 2006, there were approximately 142,300 people employed in this field in California. It is projected that there will be 175,500 employed in 2016. This occupation will have about 3,320 openings due to growth and about 2,500 replacement openings for approximately 5,820 total annual openings. This occupation .

Colleges and Training
Below are college programs that are generally associated with this occupation. To view colleges that offer these programs, click on the titles below.
Accounting - A program that prepares individuals to practice the profession of accounting and to perform related business functions. Includes instruction in accounting principles and theory, financial accounting, managerial accounting, cost accounting, budget control, tax accounting, legal aspects of accounting, auditing, reporting procedures, statement analysis, planning and consulting, business information systems, accounting research methods, professional standards and ethics, and applications to specific for-profit, public, and non-profit organizations.
Auditing - A program that prepares individuals, including certified accountants, to perform independent internal and external appraisals to evaluate organizational financial and operational activities, ensure compliance with laws and policies, safeguard assets, and promote effective planning and resource allocation. Includes instruction in advanced accounting, audit tools and techniques, sampling, risk and control, audit planning, audit function management, law and regulations, environmental auditing, information technology applications, professional standards and ethics, and specific industry and service sector problems.
Similar Occupations
Treasurers and Controllers - Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization.
Financial Managers, Branch or Department - Direct and coordinate financial activities of workers in a branch, office, or department of an establishment, such as branch bank, brokerage firm, risk and insurance department, or credit department.
Purchasing Managers - Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of buyers, purchasing officers, and related workers involved in purchasing materials, products, and services.
Accountants - Analyze financial information and prepare financial reports to determine or maintain record of assets, liabilities, profit and loss, tax liability, or other financial activities within an organization.
Budget Analysts - Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports for the purpose of maintaining expenditure controls.
Financial Analysts - Conduct quantitative analyses of information affecting investment programs of public or private institutions.
Personal Financial Advisors - Advise clients on financial plans utilizing knowledge of tax and investment strategies, securities, insurance, pension plans, and real estate. Duties include assessing clients' assets, liabilities, cash flow, insurance coverage, tax status, and financial objectives to establish investment strategies.
Economists - Conduct research, prepare reports, or formulate plans to aid in solution of economic problems arising from production and distribution of goods and services. May collect and process economic and statistical data using econometric and sampling techniques.
Notes
You must be logged in to take notes, click here to login.
Job Openings
Click here for job openings in California.