Accountants help both individuals and more complex organizations keep and analyze financial records. If you aspire to become a chartered accountant, you need to choose the best school in the field.
What kind of training is needed to become an accountant?
Most accounting jobs require at least a bachelor's degree, but with an accounting associate's degree, you may be able to perform certain accounting tasks, such as payroll, for an employer. Many accounting schools available to you offer accounting programs at the bachelor's level.school of accountancy
These programs include courses on accounting principles, finance, management, economics, statistics and ethics. It is also important to learn how to use accounting systems and tools such as spreadsheets and databases. Schools specialising in accounting education are best suited to teach these subjects.
How long does it take to become an accountant?
For most accounting jobs you will need a bachelor's degree, which usually takes four years at an accounting school. Once you have completed your studies, you can work in an entry-level position as an accountant, tax assistant or junior internal auditor.
Once you have gained some experience in your entry-level role (usually two years), you can obtain your licence. With three to six years of experience, you can advance to positions of responsibility in your area of expertise and then to management positions.
How much does an accountant earn?
The average annual salary for accountants was 60,000 euros in 2010. The top 10% of accountants earned more than 100,000 euros that year, while the lowest 10% earned less than 35,940 euros. Salaries also sometimes depend on the course of study and the accounting school the student attended.
What are the job prospects?
Accountants and auditors find themselves each year on many "best jobs" lists such as those produced by Forbes, Yahoo, and CNN. According to a job outlook survey conducted by the National Association of Employers and Schools of Accountancy, 51% of employers responding to the survey planned to hire accounting graduates in 2013.
What are the long-term career prospects for accountants?
According to one statistic, employment for accountants will increase by 16% between 2010 and 2020, compared to 14% for all other occupations over this period. Many consider accounting to be "recession-proof" work. This is because individuals and organizations have to pay their taxes and optimize their finances, which requires the services of an expert in the field. Despite this widespread belief, thousands of accounting jobs were lost during the great recession of 2008, but the profession is recovering.
Accountants can improve their long-term prospects by obtaining advanced degrees to distinguish themselves from other job seekers. There are many opportunities for career advancement in accounting. Accountants with experience and training can become directors and partners in accounting firms or teach in public accounting schools.
How do I find a job as an accountant?
Experience is the key to finding a job in accounting. Even a junior position may require two to three years of accounting experience. If you don't already have significant experience, consider an internship or entry-level clerical work.