Standard 2: Functions of Standard 2: Functions of A BusinessA Business

EQ 1B: What are The Careers in The EQ 1B: What are The Careers in The Accounting and Finance Field?Accounting and Finance Field?

Finance Careers• Financial Manager

• Top level professional who may have final responsibility for aspects of a business’ financial activity

• Accountant• Professional who

produces and examines financial records, prepares financial reports and tax returns; may give budget, tax or investment advice to company/customer

Finance Careers, cont.

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)• Accountants who meet specific educational

requirements and pass a national examination

• Auditor• Professional whose work involves checking on

the accuracy of work completed by bookkeepers and accountants

• Bank Teller• Bank employee who handles deposits,

withdrawals, selling travelers check, accepting loan payments, preparing money orders

What do Accountants do?

• Track companies’ expenses• Prepare, analyze and verify financial

documents• Look for ways to run businesses

more efficiently• Keep public records• Make sure taxes are paid properly

Certified Public Accountants

•Perform audits•Prepare taxes for

corporations, government agencies, nonprofits and individuals

Management Accountants

Management accountants are members of the executive team who: •Record and analyze information about

budgets, costs and assets•Support strategic planning or product

development•Write financial reports for stockholders,

creditors or government agencies.

Government Accountants

• Maintain and examine government records

• Audit private businesses or individuals on the government's behalf

Internal Auditors

• Are fiscal “police officers”• Verify the accuracy of an

organization's financial records• Look for waste,

mismanagement and fraud.

Job Outlook in Accounting

• CPA accountants will continue to be in high demand, especially as states increase the education and experience requirements for the certification.

• Certified Management Accountants and those with MBAs will also fare well.

Job Outlook in Accounting

• Having a specialty, such as information systems, government regulation or international business, will help you land a job.

• Those without a degree or certification and those vying for the upper-most echelons of accounting will find keen competition for jobs.

Education Requirements

• A bachelor's degree is the minimum requirement, and to advance, you'll need additional certification or graduate-level education.

• Those in the accounting field can earn the Certified Public Accountant designation by meeting experience and educational requirements and passing an exam.