Accountant
1. OVERVIEW
Accountants and auditors prepare and examine financial records, ensure accuracy, assess operations, and support organizations in making sound financial decisions. The career spans across public, private, and government sectors with a wide range of specialties.
2024 Median Pay: $81,680/year
Job Growth (2023-2033): +6% (Faster than average)
Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree
Job Openings/Year: 130,800
2. WHAT THEY DO
Prepare and examine financial records for accuracy
Compute taxes and ensure timely filing
Assess internal controls and financial operations
Make financial recommendations to reduce costs or enhance profits
Use tools like AI and automation for data analysis and reporting
Specialties: Public, Management, Government, Forensic, Internal Auditing, IT Auditing
3. WORK ENVIRONMENT
Most work full time in office settings, though remote options are growing
Employers include accounting firms, corporations, governments, nonprofits
Travel may be required for audits
Overtime is common during audits or tax season
4. HOW TO BECOME ONE
Minimum Requirements:
Bachelor's in Accounting or related field (Finance, Business)
Internships during college help with entry
Common Certifications:
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) – Required for SEC filings; highly respected
CMA (Certified Management Accountant)
CIA (Certified Internal Auditor)
CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor)
CGFM (Certified Government Financial Manager)
5. CAREER PATH BREAKDOWN
ENTRY LEVEL ACCOUNTANT
Job Titles: Junior Accountant, Staff Accountant, Audit Associate
Education: Bachelor's degree
Certifications: Optional (CPA in progress helpful)
Experience: 0–2 years
Responsibilities:
Support audits and tax preparation
Maintain ledgers, reconcile accounts
Assist in preparing financial statements Salary Range: $52,000–$68,000
MID LEVEL ACCOUNTANT
Job Titles: CPA, Financial Analyst, Internal Auditor
Education: Bachelor's or Master’s preferred
Certifications: CPA or specialty cert (CMA, CIA)
Experience: 3–7 years
Responsibilities:
Lead audits and compliance reviews
Provide financial planning and analysis
Manage client accounts or internal controls Salary Range: $70,000–$100,000
SENIOR LEVEL ACCOUNTANT
Job Titles: Senior Accountant, Accounting Manager, Controller, CFO
Education: Bachelor’s + advanced certs; MBA often preferred
Certifications: CPA, CMA, CFA, etc.
Experience: 8+ years
Responsibilities:
Oversee accounting departments
Lead strategy, compliance, and budgeting
Interface with executive leadership and boards Salary Range: $105,000–$180,000+
6. RELATED OCCUPATIONS
Role: Bookkeeping, Accounting Clerks | Salary: $49,210 | Education Level: Some college
Role: Financial Analyst | Salary: $101,910 | Education Level: Bachelor's
Role: Budget Analyst | Salary: $87,930 | Education Level: Bachelor's
Role: Financial Manager | Salary: $161,700 | Education Level: Bachelor's
Role: Management Analyst | Salary: $101,190 | Education Level: Bachelor's
7. RESOURCES & RESEARCH MATERIALS
Articles & Guides
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/accountants-and-auditors.htm
AICPA Career Paths: https://www.aicpa.org/career
Corporate Finance Institute – Accounting Certifications: https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com
Books
"Accounting All-in-One For Dummies" by Kenneth W. Boyd
"Financial Shenanigans" by Howard Schilit
"The Vest-Pocket CPA" by Joel G. Siegel
YouTube Channels
CPA Strength
Farhat Accounting Lectures
Edspira
Training Platforms
LinkedIn Learning: CPA Prep, Excel for Accountants
Coursera & edX: Accounting Principles & Analytics
Becker CPA Review
Certifying Organizations
AICPA (CPA): https://www.aicpa.org
IMA (CMA): https://www.imanet.org
ISACA (CISA): https://www.isaca.org
IIA (CIA): https://www.theiia.org
8. JOB OUTLOOK
Strong demand due to complex tax laws, globalization, and digital transformation
6% job growth expected through 2033
Rise in advisory and analytics-based roles as automation handles repetitive tasks
9. STATE & AREA DATA TO EXPLORE
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics by State
CareerOneStop - Explore Wages by ZIP
