Accountants

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This occupation is part of the Business and Financial Operations cluster

About the Job

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.

It is also Called

  • Accountant
  • Accountant Manager
  • Accounting Bookkeeper
  • Accounting Consultant
  • Accounting Manager
  • Accounting Methods Analyst
  • Accounting Officer
  • Accounting Supervisor
  • Accounting Systems Analyst
  • Accounting Technician

What They Do

  • Prepare, examine, or analyze accounting records, financial statements, or other financial reports to assess accuracy, completeness, and conformance to reporting and procedural standards.
  • Report to management regarding the finances of establishment.
  • Establish tables of accounts and assign entries to proper accounts.
  • Develop, implement, modify, and document recordkeeping and accounting systems, making use of current computer technology.
  • Compute taxes owed and prepare tax returns, ensuring compliance with payment, reporting or other tax requirements.
  • Maintain or examine the records of government agencies.
  • Advise clients in areas such as compensation, employee health care benefits, the design of accounting or data processing systems, or long-range tax or estate plans.
  • Develop, maintain, and analyze budgets, preparing periodic reports that compare budgeted costs to actual costs.
  • Provide internal and external auditing services for businesses or individuals.
  • Analyze business operations, trends, costs, revenues, financial commitments, and obligations, to project future revenues and expenses or to provide advice.

Interests

People who work in this occupation generally have the interest code: CE.

This means people who work in this occupation generally have Conventional interests, but also prefer Enterprising environments.

Work Values

People who work in this occupation generally prize Achievement, but also value Relationships and Support in their jobs.

Things They Need to Know

  • Economics and Accounting - Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
  • Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • Clerical - Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Things They Need to Be Able to Do

  • Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
  • 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.
  • Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Additional Resources


Education Required

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

Wages

In 2012, the average annual wage in California was $75,870 with most people making between $43,380 and $116,860

Outlook

1.58%
avg. annual growth

During 2010, this occupation employed approximately 134,000 people in California. It is projected that there will be 155,200 employed in 2020.

This occupation will have about 2,120 openings due to growth and about 2,880 replacement openings for approximately 5,000 total annual openings.

Common College Majors

Industries that Employ this Occupation

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