Accountants(CPAs)

Corning-Painted Post West High School

Martha Marks

Outlook

It is estimated by 2007, 86,299 Accountants will be employed in NYS which is an increase of .87% each year.

During 1997, approximately 79,338 Accountants were employed in NYS.

What Does An Accountant do?

balancing the books, tracking expenses and revenue, executing payroll, and paying the bills of the company

taking care of the day-to-day operations of bookkeeping

being called on to offer advice and even make business decisions based on facts rather than on speculation

The jobs vary from company to company and from job to job but some typical tasks would include:

Accountants Today

The Accounting profession has faced many challenges the last few years. Several accounting scandals have grabbed the attention of the nation.

Despite these few scandals, CPAs today are viewed:

as leaders

as people on the cutting edge of business and industry

as people with private practices that matter

as people who are close to the heart of the action.

Today’s Accountants

Accounting Trends

Some Accounting Firms are moving to more flexible work arrangements to help meet various business needs, such as reduction of absenteeism and the reduction of labor costs.

Some typical types of arrangements:

Flextime Flexplace (telecommuting)

Job sharing Leaves and sabbaticals

Regular part-time Compressed work weeks

Fields of Accounting

There are four major fields of accounting:

1) Public Accounting

2) Government Accounting

3) Management Accounting

4) Internal Accounting

Career Tracks

There are many career paths for Accounting. As a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) you could work in:

Public Practice Business/Industry

Government Non-Profit

Education Private Practice

Pay for Accountants

In 2003, college graduates in Accounting started out averaging $40,647 a year.

In NYS in 2003, the annual wage range was between: $41,309 - $71,608

Tips on Getting Hired

Here are just a few tips to keep in mind before an interview:

Review your resume before your interview

Research the company before your interview – know about the company and the name of the person with whom you are meeting

Know exactly the site of the interview – make sure you know how long it takes you to get there

National Major Players

•Deloitte & Touche

•Ernst & Young

•KPMG

•PricewaterhouseCoopers

The Big Four Accounting Firms

Click on each graphic to take you to their webpage for more information

Why Some Accountants Love Their Jobs

It’s flexible

It’s challenging There are many different areas to choose from

You get to use people skills

It’s very analytical

Why Some Accountants Dislike Their Jobs

Certain times of the year can be VERY busy (tax time)

Some jobs can be monotonous

Some positions do not have much people contact

Specific High School Courses

Accounting I/II/III

Mathematics

Computers

Economics

Business Law

Communication/Marketing

Employers Who Will Hire High School Students

Local Accounting Firms

Retail/Grocery Stores (Wegmans, WalMart)

Financial Planners

Payroll Departments

Local Two-Year Colleges

Click on each graphic to take you to their webpage for more information

Four-Year Colleges

Click on each graphic to take you to their webpage for more information

Local Employers Who Would Hire Accountants

Corning Incorporated

Dresser-Rand

Wegmans

Banks – Chemung Canal, Steuben Educators (ServU), Corning Credit Union

Harding Associates

Sciarabba Walker & Co.

Accountants

Accounting is a great profession to get into. If this career interests you, please visit Mrs. Marks in Room 810.

Good luck with your future. Remember everything is out there for the taking!!!!

Choose wisely!