Resources: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics Web site and Careers in Accounting Web site
Post a 200- to 300-word response to the following: There are many career opportunities in the field of accounting. Visit the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics at for an overview of the accounting field.
? Visit for additional details such as salary expectations and general job expectations.
? Locate three job postings (within your state) for positions in the field of accounting.
? Write a summary of the educational requirements for each position, the starting salary (if listed), and a brief description of the responsibilities of the position.

Audit

Work in audit involves checking accounting ledgers and financial statements within corporations and government. This work is becoming increasingly computerized and can rely on sophisticated random sampling methods. Audit is the bread and butter work of accounting. This work can involve significant travel and allows you to really understand how money is being made in the company that you are analyzing. It's great background! (Find jobs like this)

SUMMARY:

Education:Interestingly enough this job description (found in the link above) does not detail ANY educational requirements. One can assume because of the nature of the position that one must know the audit field and have some experience because the listing does not state that there is any on the job or “other” training. So I concur that experience but not degree is necessary.

Starting Salary: Not listed. One would hope that it would fall within the parameters found at the labor statistics website.

Responsibilities:
•Assists IT Audit management in the development of the Audit scope and objectives, audit programs and reports
•Supervise and ensure audit activities are conducted on an efficient basis and that audit programs are completed. Need to manage 5 to 10 IT Auditors.
•Perform complex IT audits of systems and networks along with audits of the IT organizational and functional activities to determine the adequacy of controls and evaluate their effectiveness.
•Interact with IT line management to stay abreast of activities within IT for consideration for future audits.
•Assist IT Audit Director/Manager in the development of short and long term audit plans based upon perceived risks and IT management concerns and requests.
•Communicates progress of audits to IT Audit Director/Manager on a timely basis. Manages audit team resources through appropriate planning activities and utilization of departmental tools.
•Supervises auditors and specialists through daily interaction and conduct their work paper review. Ensures that assigned engagements are completed within departmental standards relative to quality and timing based on established metrics. Sets and fosters an atmosphere that focuses on meeting deadlines.
•Sets and supports high performance expectations from team members through goal establishment as well as on-going coaching. Provide constructive feedback to audit staff through formal performance evaluations.
•Understands and addresses client feedback from satisfaction surveys. Meets with business leaders on a periodic basis to examine and explore service opportunities and to address business risks. Incorporates interfaces into the on-going risk assessment process.
•Assists the Director/Manager in recruiting, developing and maintaining highly competent IT audit staff.

Budget Analysis

Budget analysts are responsible for developing and managing an organizations financial plans. There are plentiful jobs in this area in government and private industry. Besides quantitative skills many budget analyst jobs require good people skills because of negotiations involved in the work. (Find jobs like this)

SUMMARY:

Education:Interestingly enough this job description (found in the link above) ALSO does not detail ANY educational requirements. However, it does specify that 3-5 years of experience in budgeting analysis are necessary for consideration in the position.

Starting Salary: $30-$35 per hour. This position is listed as contracted.

Responsibilities:We are looking for an available Finance Professional with at least 3-5 years of budgeting experience within an international manufacturing company. Ideal candidates will possess strong Excel skills, in particular, with macros, as well as a good knowledge of Hyperion. Skills include:

  • Excel (must be proficient using Macros)
  • Hyperion is a plus
  • SAP is a HUGE plus
  • 5 years of budget analysis experience is required
  • Budgeting experience within an international manufacturing company is a HUGE plus

Tax

Tax accountants prepare corporate and personal income tax statements and formulate tax strategies involving issues such as financial choice, how to best treat a merger or acquisition, deferral of taxes, when to expense items and the like. This work requires a thorough understanding of economics and the tax code. Increasingly, large corporations are looking for persons with both an accounting and a legal background in tax. A person, for example, with a JD and an CPA would be especially desirable to many firms. (Find jobs like this)

Education:Interestingly enough this job description (found in the link above) IS very non descript. Since it is HR block I can only assume that they have their own criteria for weeding out candidates. This job description is very generic for that reason. I assume once they receive further information in the application process that they would be more forthcoming with information to a candidate if a candidates qualifications fit their needs. At this time a potential candidate can only refer to the Labor Bureau guidelines for the job description.

Starting Salary: Not listed Again one can only refer to the general norms as listed on the labor Bureau website

Responsibilities:Nothing concrete listed. But Does state H&R Block is the world's largest tax services provider and a leader in tax preparation. Each year, H&R Block employs thousands of seasonal and part-time associates as Tax Prepares in their branch offices, nationwide. To become a Tax Preparer - or Tax Professional - you will first take the H&R Block Income Tax Course*. It teaches you everything you need to know to become a Tax Professional and to prepare tax returns. With convenient locations and class times, skilled instructors - allowing you to learn from the best without interrupting your current employment or school schedule, teach the Tax Course.