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Job outlook for accountants in the United States
Accountant job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected accountant job growth rate is 6% from 2018-2028.
About 81,800 new jobs for accountants are projected over the next decade.
Accountant salaries have increased 8% for accountants in the last 5 years.
There are over 1,099,751 accountants currently employed in the United States.
There are 60,073 active accountant job openings in the US.
The average accountant salary is $54,890.
Are accountant jobs in demand?
Accountant job and salary trends over time
Accountant jobs over time
Accountant job growth rate over time
Year  | # Of Jobs | % Of Population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,099,751 | 0.33% |
| 2020 | 1,060,701 | 0.32% |
| 2019 | 1,076,179 | 0.32% |
| 2018 | 1,065,622 | 0.32% |
| 2017 | 1,053,644 | 0.32% |
Average accountant salary over time
Accountant salary by year
| Year | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $54,890 | $26.39 | +2.8% |
| 2024 | $53,390 | $25.67 | +1.5% |
| 2023 | $52,606 | $25.29 | +1.7% |
| 2022 | $51,748 | $24.88 | +1.8% |
| 2021 | $50,853 | $24.45 | +1.4% |
Accountant jobs by state
Most common states for accountants
| Rank | State | Population | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 317 | 46% |
| 2 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 182 | 17% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 158 | 16% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 941 | 14% |
| 5 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 742 | 13% |
| 6 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 725 | 13% |
| 7 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 419 | 13% |
| 8 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 700 | 12% |
| 9 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,472 | 11% |
| 10 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 924 | 11% |
| 11 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 458 | 11% |
| 12 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 392 | 11% |
| 13 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 345 | 11% |
| 14 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 215 | 11% |
| 15 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 114 | 11% |
| 16 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 630 | 10% |
| 17 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 138 | 10% |
| 18 | Vermont | 623,657 | 61 | 10% |
| 19 | California | 39,536,653 | 3,532 | 9% |
| 20 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 657 | 9% |
Most common cities for accountants
| Rank | City | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tallahassee | 19 | 10% | $44,715 |
| 2 | Atlanta | 38 | 8% | $49,966 |
| 3 | Boston | 32 | 5% | $62,769 |
| 4 | Tampa | 19 | 5% | $45,136 |
| 5 | Orlando | 15 | 5% | $45,046 |
| 6 | Des Moines | 10 | 5% | $45,889 |
| 7 | Denver | 29 | 4% | $52,610 |
| 8 | Lincoln | 10 | 4% | $44,607 |
| 9 | Baltimore | 21 | 3% | $58,761 |
| 10 | Washington | 21 | 3% | $71,991 |
| 11 | Indianapolis | 18 | 2% | $47,721 |
| 12 | Detroit | 12 | 2% | $51,626 |
| 13 | Minneapolis | 10 | 2% | $50,713 |
| 14 | Chicago | 33 | 1% | $50,446 |
| 15 | Los Angeles | 25 | 1% | $54,269 |
| 16 | Phoenix | 16 | 1% | $48,134 |
| 17 | Houston | 15 | 1% | $49,775 |
| 18 | San Diego | 11 | 1% | $52,818 |
| 19 | Dallas | 10 | 1% | $49,854 |
| 20 | New York | 13 | 0% | $68,492 |
Accountant job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of accountant experts
Hunter College of the City University of New York
University of Central Arkansas
Kent State University
Seattle University
University of Memphis
Washington and Lee University
SUNY College at Old Westbury
The University of Texas at Arlington
Skyline College
Western Kentucky University
Oakland University
University of Missouri - St Louis
Muhlenberg College
What general advice would you give to an Accountant?
Kirsten Cook: In accounting (like most other fields), I hope that graduates “began their careers” long before crossing the stage at commencement. That is, most college and universities offer a wealth of opportunities for students to interact with employers throughout their college careers. When an employer speaks in a class, holds an informational session, or tables at a career fair, make a point to introduce yourself, ask informed questions, and generally leave a favorable impression in that employer’s mind. Also, if possible, complete one or more internships while in college to understand the culture of professional accounting before your first day of full-time employment after graduation.
What Accountant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kirsten Cook:
Ten years ago, I would’ve said “soft skills” like verbal and written communication. Five years ago, data analytics was all the rage. I don’t believe these skills have become any less important; rather, we must continue to layer on new skills to match the changing professional environment. Today, I encourage students to be technologically agile. For example, if you learned to use Alteryx in a class, but your new employer uses PowerBI, recognize the similarities between these programs and build on your existing knowledge to master the new tool. Also, stay abreast of developments in accounting by not only reading the business press but also by connecting with experts on social media like LinkedIn.
What will help Accountants increase their earning potential?
Kirsten Cook:
Ten years ago, I would’ve said “soft skills” like verbal and written communication. Five years ago, data analytics was all the rage. I don’t believe these skills have become any less important; rather, we must continue to layer on new skills to match the changing professional environment. Today, I encourage students to be technologically agile. For example, if you learned to use Alteryx in a class, but your new employer uses PowerBI, recognize the similarities between these programs and build on your existing knowledge to master the new tool. Also, stay abreast of developments in accounting by not only reading the business press but also by connecting with experts on social media like LinkedIn.
Toshi Mitsudome PhD, CFA, CFP, CMA
Director of Accounting ProgramsHunter College of the City University of New York
Accounting And Related Services
What general advice would you give to an Accountant?
Toshi Mitsudome PhD, CFA, CFP, CMA: Try to pass the CPA exam as soon as possible. Studying for the exam while working full-time is not easy. Start studying early is the best strategy. If you can pass even 1-2 sections while in school, it will greatly increase your chances of passing all the sections within a reasonable time frame. Also, if you can pass even 1 section while in school, it will help you stand out among the candidates during your job hunting. I also believe getting a master's degree will help them increase the promotional opportunities and life-time earnings. A master's degree will help not only deepen their technical accounting knowledge, but also increase their critical thinking and research skill. As of now, master's degree is not required to obtain the CPA license (all 150 required credits can be earned as an undergraduate student). But I always advise my students: 'If you have to take extra 30 credits to fulfill the education requirements, why not earn a master's degree?'. One final advice is to grow your professional network through personal connections or social media, and by attending professional conferences and seminars. I highly recommend this because this is how most people will find their next jobs, which would help you achieve your professional goals and higher pay!
What Accountant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Toshi Mitsudome PhD, CFA, CFP, CMA: Beside the technical skills, as in (1), students should work on their communication skills, both verbally and in writing. I see this is one of the areas where our students can substantially improve. Additionally, students should be comfortable with technologies and data analytics, i.e., statistics, advanced Excel skills, various software for data analytics and visualizations (Tableau, Power BI, Python, R, etc.). Accounting students don't have to be coding professionals; they just have to understand the basic functions and syntax of these software, so that they can communicate the results of data analysis with their team members and clients. Also, they can facilitate communications between the IT, programmers and accounting professionals. This technical skill is expected to be increasingly more important in the next 10 years.
What will help Accountants increase their earning potential?
Toshi Mitsudome PhD, CFA, CFP, CMA: Two pieces of advice I can give them. First, I advise them to study hard and keep a good GPA. If you want to obtain a full-time position at a top public accounting firm, you should have the overall GPA of 3.4-3.5 or higher. This shows you have the capacity to pass the CPA exam and master the knowledge required for the jobs. Besides, you are competing against the top talents in the field, you should have a very good GPA to help you stand out. Second, I would advise them to brush up their soft skills, e.g., communication, teamwork, leadership, and stress management skills, while still in school. In today's public accounting field, accountants need to work in various teams and frequently communicate with clients with various backgrounds. It is essential for accountants to have highly effective communication skill. You should also have the right mentality and attitude, i.e., to be proactive, not afraid to ask questions, and have the 'yes' mentality. Always be prepared for meetings and ask questions. If your boss asks you to do a new task, just say 'yes', even if you have never done it before. The accounting firms always appreciate this type of attitude toward work in their newly hired. Finally, accounting work can be stressful sometimes because you have to meet the deadlines. You need to know how to organize your work to meet the deadlines, and also develop ways to manage your stress.
What general advice would you give to an Accountant?
Dr. Stephanie Watson PhD, CPA: Distinguish yourself! There are a lot of ways to do this. First is with a professional certification. Earning a certification like a CPA, CMA, etc. is something that you do for yourself; it belongs to you and demonstrates your expertise. Certifications can help with promotions where you are or mobility if you choose to make a move. Another way to distinguish yourself is to make yourself useful and irreplaceable. Don't wait to be asked; volunteer to help. Make it your mission to produce quality work, not minimum acceptable product. Be the employee that your supervisors and clients can depend on and don't want to live without; the promotions and raises will follow.
What Accountant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Stephanie Watson PhD, CPA: Stay in a learning mindset and be open to feedback. Your first two years will be a mixture of learning processes, software, and practical applications of what you learned in college. You will make mistakes, and that is okay. Accounting, as a profession, has a long history of supervisor review and feedback. Accept the feedback as a learning opportunity so that you aren't making the same mistakes over and over.
What will help Accountants increase their earning potential?
Dr. Stephanie Watson PhD, CPA: Skills that are on the rise are those related to automation, data analytics, and artificial intelligence, some used by accountants, some used by our clients. As accountants, we don't need to be computer programmers to be successful, but we do need the ability to understand how tasks are completed without these technologies and with them, and how our role is different with these technologies in place. Because new applications are constantly being developed, accountants need to be open to and comfortable with learning new software. However, no technology in the next decade is going to be able to replace the skills that have always been important for accountants including communication skills (the ability to convey technical concepts and processes to someone who may not be as familiar with them as you are), critical thinking and professional skepticism (being able to think beyond what is presented to see the bigger picture), and Excel skills or related tools for data organization and analysis.
What general advice would you give to an Accountant?
Scott Miller CPA, CIA, CFE, MAcc: During school, Accounting students should aim to complete internships. Many Accounting firms now seek out underclassmen who have the potential to complete multiple internships with them prior to graduation. Students who complete multiple internships and build up their service time with a firm can reach their first promotion quicker than others. Accounting professionals should also strive to pass the CPA exam as early in their careers as possible. This is incentivized by Accounting firms providing bonuses to candidates who pass all 4 parts of the CPA exam within their first 1-2 years on the job. Additionally, masters programs in Accounting can serve the purpose of better preparing candidates to pass the CPA exam, as well as providing candidates with an additional qualification that could help boost salary potential. Other more specialized credentials like the CIA, CFE, and CISA can be differentiators for professionals looking to get ahead in their field.
What Accountant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Scott Miller CPA, CIA, CFE, MAcc: Be up-to-date; never out-of-date. As technological advances continue over time, Accountants will be expected to keep pace. The Accounting profession has successfully adapted to change throughout its history, and accountants will need to continue to adapt. It is critical for accountants to remain as trusted business advisors who are capable of understanding and auditing the latest technology that their own firms and clients implement. Traditionally important skills such as critical thinking, empathy, and effective communication are necessary skills today and will remain so in the future.
What will help Accountants increase their earning potential?
Scott Miller CPA, CIA, CFE, MAcc: Recent Accounting graduates should begin building their professional networks right away. Relationships are critical in all fields, but particularly in business. Joining local chapters of professional organizations is a great way to meet others in the industry and develop networking skills. These organizations also serve the purpose of keeping their members current on issues and trends in the industry, so that members can be more effective within their roles.
What general advice would you give to an Accountant?
Gabriel Saucedo PhD, CPA: Maximizing salary potential really does depend on what a young professional wants to do with their career. As such, a new accountant should not forego or overlook the importance of networking and finding a mentor or mentors to help them navigate these waters (sidenote: no young professional should be afraid of networking because most anyone likes to talk about themselves and/or their respective job). First, earning and maintaining a recognized certification in the field (e.g., CPA), while grueling, still carries long-term income potential. However, there are numerous other certifications rising in importance with long-term value (e.g., CFE, CMA, CIA, etc.). Second, some will argue that finding a niche job early on and specializing will maximize earning potential. Third, and conversely, riding the public accounting wave until reaching management-level responsibilities will also have a notable impact on future salaries. The ongoing training and education firms invest in their employees, along with the diverse client base, is something that is hard to price in the short-term but future employers will gladly pay a premium for in the long-term. Fourth, lean into your strengths. For some people this may be in technology. But for others, a recruit that can carefully articulate difficult information to constituents and stakeholders is no doubt executive material.
What Accountant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Gabriel Saucedo PhD, CPA: Go out there ready to work hard, learn a lot, and undoubtedly make a lot of (unintentional) mistakes. We all know about the “busy season” expectations and that firms may jokingly compensate overtime hours with a slice of pepperoni pizza. But there are very few professions in which a young professional will have such a vast, global exposure to different business processes, technologies, and people. Furthermore, the training and educational opportunities most firms and companies offer their employees cannot have a price tag attached to them (jokes aside, they are incredibly valuable and non-taxable). On a personal note, I also remind my seniors that when work gets tough (e.g., busy season) it still super important to take a slice of time each day, even if just 5 minutes, to do something for themselves. Maybe a quick medication, a gym workout, getting their favorite coffee, or a dinner night with a close friend or loved one. Personal care and keeping grounded will keep life in context and balance.
What will help Accountants increase their earning potential?
Gabriel Saucedo PhD, CPA: Funny enough, the core skills expected and/or desired of an accounting professional in the next 3-5 years are likely the same as today, which are the same as they were 20 years ago when I started at KPMG as an Audit Associate. Firms (i.e., the profession) need someone who can think critically with an analytical mindset, proactively problem-solve, brainstorm and prioritize alternative solutions, and professionally articulate across any number of communication channels to any number of constituents. Accounting firms and companies continue to ask their recruits about their ability to meet deadlines, manage conflict, multi-task, etc. But what has changed and will continue to change are the technologies with which professionals will be asked to do all this, and perhaps where it will be done. In some cases, this may continue to be done remotely (at home) and in some cases there will be the need to work more across borders with constituents in a global business sphere. A little more regarding the evolution of technology. Undoubtedly, Artificial Intelligence and ChatGPT are all the buzz and clearly something the profession needs to be in front of. Some may say these technologies and tools will make accounting absolute. But as history has shown, every time there has been an evolution in technology or tools (e.g., computers, spreadsheet software, data analytics) the demand for accountants has gone up. That is because these technologies have opened venues and processes for more risk, in addition to more informed decision-making. That said, graduates should also have, at minimum, a foundational knowledge of data analytics and technology to make sure they can identify the related risks, but also stay ahead of peers that may be studying other non-accounting degrees (e.g., computer science, data analytics, information technology.
Rita Green Ed.D.
Teaching Associate ProfessorUniversity of Memphis
Accounting And Related Services
What general advice would you give to an Accountant?
Rita Green Ed.D.: Current students should consider anchoring their education with a strong minor, which can be fulfilled with elective courses, which already make up a certain percentage of required credits for an undergraduate degree. It will also be important for accounting students to acquire and maintain competencies in data analytics. Accounting curriculums are being updated to respond to this necessary skillset.
What Accountant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Rita Green Ed.D.: To be competitive for the best opportunities in the field, accounting graduates should consider pursuing certifications, which include the certified public accountant (CPA) and certified management accountant (CMA), amongst several others. Sometimes, certification can be more valuable than a degree. However, accounting certifications already require specific numbers of accounting education credits in order to sit for certification exams.
What will help Accountants increase their earning potential?
Rita Green Ed.D.: I would advise graduates to seriously consider their desired area of specialty in the accounting profession. Hopefully, graduates have had internships with companies, as students, and are in a better position to identify their interests. Like the medical field, there are specialty areas of accounting: financial, managerial, tax, nonprofit, forensic, governmental, and auditing. And this is not an exhaustive list. Opportunities abound in the accounting field because every business, including nonprofits that receive money, will need to have at least one or many accountants, depending on a company’s size.
Colin Reid
Associate Professor of AccountingWashington and Lee University
Accounting And Related Services
What general advice would you give to an Accountant?
Colin Reid: I think salary can be maximized by continuing to learn and develop expertise on the job. I would encourage graduates to think broadly about all of the possibilities within the field of accounting. Exploring various areas will help professionals find the areas of the field that they enjoy the most. Pursuing work that you find challenging and enjoy often leads to better performance, more opportunities, and eventually compensation will follow.
What Accountant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Colin Reid: Communication and critical thinking have always been important in accounting, but I believe the importance of these skills will increase. Professionals in accounting spend more time working in groups and with other people than many realize. Currently AI can assist with technical tasks and other repetitive work. I believe there will always be a role for accountants in terms of building relationships with clients, team members, and others with whom they work. Many problems that professionals face will involve multifaceted decisions that can be informed by data analysis but often will still need to be communicated clearly through a relationship built on trust. I believe that balancing a technical accounting education with the traditional liberal arts (e.g. humanities and social sciences) is critically important to help develop these critical thinking and communication skills.
What will help Accountants increase their earning potential?
Colin Reid: I would encourage graduates to continue to see the early portion of their career as a continued learning experience. Graduates often think that once we have graduated that the learning is over and the work begins. In fields like accounting, you really need to continue to learn and develop expertise over time. This learning should not only include building technical expertise but also include reflection on what part of the work that you enjoy. We can use this to guide our careers moving forward. The other piece of advice I would offer is consistency. Be consistent. A career is much longer than college or any other challenge you have faced. In order to be consistent though, we have to set a pace for ourselves that is reasonable.
What general advice would you give to an Accountant?
Patrick O'Brien: Currently, the demand for accountants is higher than the supply of accounting majors coming out of college. As a result, this is allowing students and other accounting professionals their pick of the type of firm, company, industry, etc. for which they would want to work. Additionally, the salaries in the profession are increasing because the talent pool is smaller than the number of jobs available.
What Accountant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Patrick O'Brien: There are a variety of fields in the accounting profession. Most accounting majors in college usually end up in public accounting working in either audit or tax. An audit professional will usually work for a public accounting firm, such as PwC or Deloitte, and will be assigned to various clients to perform audits of their client’s financial information. This could include tasks like reviewing the financial statements of the client he or she is working for, meeting with the client to discuss information and documentation needs, validating various transactions the company has recorded to ensure they are in compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), etc. A tax professional working at a public accounting firm will usually be working with his or her client to prepare income tax returns for the corporation, partnership, etc., as well as determining tax withholdings and liabilities. Some large public accounting firms will even work with high net worth individuals to assist them with their taxes given the complexity. Medium-sized and smaller accounting firms would work with individuals to have their taxes done and filed annually. There are other fields of accounting, such as forensic accounting, which becomes necessary when there is potential financial fraud occurring within a business. Additionally, there are always needs for accountants within the government on the local, state, and federal levels. These accountants would be responsible for providing financial information to the taxpayers and the general public. There are also accountants that work within companies and other organizations that are responsible for gathering, recording, analyzing, and summarizing financial data both inside and outside of the organization.
What will help Accountants increase their earning potential?
Patrick O'Brien: No matter the field of accounting that one goes into, each one has its own type of “busy season”. These busy seasons generally require an accountant to work more hours than a typical 40-hour work week for a set period of time. While the hours can be intense, they are usually predictable, so the accountant can plan accordingly. In terms of what people usually like about being an accountant, there are a number of factors. The main one is that it is a career (rather than a job) with a clear path for advancement and promotion (generally, speaking). With this, there comes a level of career stability that many other professions and jobs cannot provide. Additionally, it has often been said that the accounting profession is “recession proof”. During poor economic periods, accountants tend to experience less career disturbances than other professions. Lastly, every business needs an accountant! This allows accountants the opportunity to break into any industry or company that they desire. Many professionals begin as accountants within an organization and have incredible upward mobility (whether as accountants or not). Accountants see most aspects and operations of an organization, so this knowledge and understanding makes them excellent top-level executives.
What general advice would you give to an Accountant?
Amir Moeini Chaghervand PhD, CMA: I would advise a graduate beginning their career in the field to focus on continuous learning and skill development. The accounting field is constantly evolving, so staying up-to-date with industry trends and regulations is crucial for success.
What Accountant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Amir Moeini Chaghervand PhD, CMA: In the next 3-5 years, I believe skills related to data analytics, technology proficiency, and communication will become more important in the accounting field. As technology advances, accountants will need to be proficient in data analysis and interpretation, as well as effective communication to convey complex financial information.
What will help Accountants increase their earning potential?
Amir Moeini Chaghervand PhD, CMA: To maximize salary potential when starting a career in accounting, I recommend gaining relevant certifications such as CPA or CMA, pursuing advanced degrees, and seeking opportunities for professional growth and development. Additionally, networking and building strong relationships within the industry can also help in negotiating better salary offers.
What will help Accountants increase their earning potential?
James Lawson: The ability to leverage AI (artificial intelligence). There is a lot of discussion regarding the impact of AI on society, but AI is another tool that accountants can use to complete their tasks and add value to their client relationships.
What will help Accountants increase their earning potential?
Clemens Kownatzki PhD, MBA: As a beginner in any field, it pays to listen more than to talk. Be humble, pay attention, be nice to folks and probably most helpful is having a mentor who can guide you along and show you some best practices for navigating your career. You should take advantage of your education, not just to show a piece of paper that says you graduated but think of every single project, essay or paper that you write as part of a portfolio that demonstrates your skill sets. Especially in finance where we can sometimes be enamored with the beauty of a mathematical model, think about how any model should be applied in the real world. In some cases that might mean that you have to “get your hands on the wheel and learn how to drive.” I am not suggesting that you should put all your savings at risk and buy the next iteration of the latest cryptocurrency, but If you’re interested in a career in investing, put a small amount of money at risk and trade a stock, or if you must trade a few dollars’ worth of Bitcoin or Ether – as much as you would risk for a movie ticket seems reasonable. There are lots of virtual trading apps where you can trade with paper money, but there’s nothing like understanding risk when your own dollars are at stake, even if it’s just a few dollars. You should also absorb all the workshops, seminars and resources available out there. Follow Prof. Aswath Damodaran who has a YouTube Channel and hundreds of spreadsheets with financial models, all for free! Also follow some good content providers on various channels to get additional insights – in the field of finance, you need to be up-to-date on all events because those influence markets and the economy. Be ready to continue learning and update your skills and understanding while you’re working. Education doesn’t end after you finish your degree. All successful people are life-long learners.
What general advice would you give to an Accountant?
Timothy Egan M.S. Marketing: -Research the company well for your first job as it will impact the way you feel about full-time employment. -Your first job won't be your last job. Use it to learn about yourself and an environment you can thrive in -Don't be afraid to move for a job opportunity or a second one for the first few years. Because if you want a spouse/partner, children, pets and a home it will be harder to explore the world with all those responsibilities. -If you want to work 100% remotely that can be good/flexible for a young professional, but you make yourself vulnerable to layoffs and disconnection. Having face time with management and coworkers builds an important rapport. Hybrid is better than remote
What general advice would you give to an Accountant?
Ms. Leah Parker-Roth 15, CPA: One common criticism of accounting is the long hours and the demanding 'busy season.' However, based on my own experience working in public accounting, although there were long hours, I had the opportunity to work with various clients and was able to learn many skills, including sales tax, payroll preparation, financial statement preparation, bookkeeping, and tax return preparation.
What Accountant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ms. Leah Parker-Roth 15, CPA: Accounting is an excellent field to enter right now because it isn't going anywhere. Even with advancements in artificial intelligence and automation, clients still need accountants to interpret complex tax laws and regulations that are constantly evolving. Accounting is the language of business and is a valuable skill to have. Moreover, accountants examine financial information to provide useful insights to clients, enabling them to make well-informed business decisions.
What will help Accountants increase their earning potential?
Ms. Leah Parker-Roth 15, CPA: Due to the broad nature of accounting, it is challenging to describe an accountant's typical day-to-day life accurately. However, this is a good thing because there are various specific areas within accounting, such as public accounting and governmental accounting. Accounting professionals generally expect to perform a standard set of tasks and utilize specific skills, including analytical skills and effective communication with colleagues and clients. While anyone can gather and organize data, accountants possess the expertise to analyze and communicate the data. Accountants perform specific tasks, including preparing financial statements and tax returns, payroll processing, maintaining accounting systems, and providing consulting services.
What general advice would you give to an Accountant?
Abbie Daly PhD, CPA: Accounting has long been an excellent field to enter for those interested in any aspect of business – understanding a business requires speaking the language. However, now is an especially excellent time to enter the profession, as opportunities are plentiful with more accounting positions available than there are accountants. Further, rapid technological development is affecting the role of the accountant, with routine accounting tasks being automated as platforms such as artificial intelligence and blockchain become more widespread. This will increase accountants’ efficiency so that accountants can spend their time on more value-added advisory and analytical tasks. Those entering the accounting profession with these skills will have boundless opportunities available to them. At UW-Whitewater, students acquire these skills by taking classes on accounting analytics, artificial intelligence, and blockchain.
What Accountant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Abbie Daly PhD, CPA: Accounting is often referred to as the "language of business" because accountants communicate financial information. So communication is an integral part of an accountant’s day. For example, auditors and tax preparers meet with their clients to understand their financial information, and accountants at organizations prepare and communicate financial information to guide strategic decisions. To facilitate these communications, accountants analyze and interpret many data points. For example, in auditing the revenue recognized by a company, an auditor would examine the underlying transactions, contracts, and supporting documentation.
What will help Accountants increase their earning potential?
Abbie Daly PhD, CPA: There are so many career options for those with an accounting degree, that there is something for everyone to like. Further, accountants are consistently in demand, so accountants enjoy job security and good income. Accounting is often stereotyped as being a dull profession, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Accountants work in different industries and have different specializations so that it is an incredibly interesting career. Every organization needs an accountant, so someone with an accounting degree could be an accountant for a professional sports franchise or investigate business crimes as a forensic accountant for the FBI. Further, accounting is a noble career path for anyone wanting a career with purpose - ensuring that financial information is communicated with integrity supports a prosperous society.
What will help Accountants increase their earning potential?
Dr. J. Klaus Ph.D., CPA (KY): Tax accountants hold a pivotal role in managing financial records, ensuring tax compliance, and offering strategic financial guidance. Their daily activities encompass preparing tax returns, conducting financial analyses, and staying abreast of dynamic tax regulations. Recent graduates embark on a fulfilling journey, starting with foundational tasks and progressing through training, collaboration with experienced professionals, and client engagement. This profession offers continuous learning opportunities, with many aspiring to attain certifications like the CPA designation. Ultimately, becoming a tax accountant is not only rewarding but also crucial in contributing to financial transparency, efficiency, and compliance for individuals and businesses alike.
Tony Viertel
Accounting Dept. CoordinatorSkyline College
Accounting And Related Services
What general advice would you give to an Accountant?
Tony Viertel: Certain aspects of accounting can be repetitive and mundane. However, this is true of any
profession. Accountants work long hours, and the job can be very stressful. There is a lack of
work/life balance. Being an accountant is enjoyable because of the career opportunities,
professional stability, and intellectual challenges. Accountants can earn high salaries and the
profession can be used as a springboard to other professions.
What will help Accountants increase their earning potential?
Tony Viertel: Would you, or can you recommend a professor from your department to provide answers to our questions for the article?
What Accountant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Tony Viertel: This answer to this question depends on if an account is
working in public accounting or private industry. Public accountants perform the following
tasks:
a. Client communication: Public accountants frequently communicate with clients,
either in person, via phone calls, or through email. They discuss financial
matters, provide project updates, address client concerns, and gather necessary
information to complete tasks.
b. Auditing: For clients requiring audit services, public accountants conduct audits
to verify the accuracy and completeness of financial records. This involves
examining documents, conducting interviews, testing internal controls, and
assessing compliance with relevant regulations and accounting standards.
c. Tax preparation and planning: Public accountants assist clients with tax planning
strategies to minimize tax liabilities while ensuring compliance with tax laws and
regulations. They prepare and file tax returns for individuals, businesses, and
organizations.
d. Consulting Services: Public accountants offer consulting services to clients
seeking advice on various financial matters, such as budgeting, forecasting,
mergers and acquisitions, risk management, and internal controls improvement.
Accountants in private industry perform the following tasks:
a. Financial reporting: Private industry accountants are responsible for preparing
financial statements such as balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow
statements. These reports provide a snapshot of the company's financial health
and performance over a specific period.
b. Budgeting and forecasting: Accountants collaborate with management to develop
annual budgets and forecasts for revenue, expenses, and cash flow. They
monitor actual performance against budgeted figures, analyze variances, and
recommend adjustments to achieve financial goals.
c. Cost accounting: Accountants in private industry analyze the costs associated
with producing goods or services. They calculate product costs, track inventory
levels, and identify opportunities to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
d. Internal controls: Accountants design, implement, and monitor internal control
procedures to safeguard company assets, prevent fraud, and ensure compliance
with regulations and company policies. They may conduct internal audits to
assess control measures' effectiveness and identify improvement areas.
Stacy Bibelhauser Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorWestern Kentucky University
Accounting And Related Services
What general advice would you give to an Accountant?
Stacy Bibelhauser Ph.D.: While obtaining CPA certification is not necessary for all accounting positions, it does set you up with some of the best opportunities to get high paying starting salaries. It’s also important to negotiate or try to negotiate a higher salary than is in the original offer and it never hurts to ask.
What Accountant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Stacy Bibelhauser Ph.D.: Do your very best on every task you are asked to do and do not act as if a task is beneath you. You do not know who is watching, and your attitude and work ethic on each and every job will be noticed by those who are around you.
What will help Accountants increase their earning potential?
Stacy Bibelhauser Ph.D.: The integration of data analytics with accounting-related jobs is already prevalent and will continue to impact the field. I also believe a good working knowledge of cybersecurity practices and policies will become essential in all areas of accounting.
Liang Fu Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Accounting, ChairOakland University
Finance And Financial Management Services
What general advice would you give to an Accountant?
Liang Fu Ph.D.: Dislike: accounting is not for everyone, degree requirements/licensing requirements can be challenging. And sometimes, long work hours are required.
What Accountant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Liang Fu Ph.D.: Job opportunities and career growth trajectory.
What will help Accountants increase their earning potential?
Liang Fu Ph.D.: Really depends on what they do.
Thomas Kozloski PhD, CPA, CGMA
Chair - Department of AccountingUniversity of Missouri - St Louis
Accounting And Related Services
What general advice would you give to an Accountant?
Thomas Kozloski PhD, CPA, CGMA: Accountants use their business and accounting knowledge and skills to assemble and analyze financial and operational data and communicate that information to various internal and external stakeholders of the entity they work for. This includes preparing financial reports including financial statements. Accountants may also work in the tax profession preparing tax reports and returns, and the auditing profession where they conduct procedures and tests to provide assurance that financial information is fairly stated.
What Accountant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Thomas Kozloski PhD, CPA, CGMA: One of the things that people like about accounting and being an accountant is the fact that they are joining a prestigious profession where one can pursue any number of designations and credentials (such as the Certified Public Accountant, the Certified Management Accountant, the Certified Information Systems Auditor, etc.), and that their choice of accounting as a career offers so many different paths for one's career. Many, many CEOs of companies have risen through the accounting path to the top of their organizations. Others become CFOs, or advance in other areas of the organization.
Things that folks sometimes dislike include the rigorous preparation that it takes to enter the accounting profession, especially if one pursues additional accounting credentials or designations beyond completing their university education. In addition, some dislike the seasonal nature of some positions in accounting (i.e., being very busy at certain times of the year).
What will help Accountants increase their earning potential?
Thomas Kozloski PhD, CPA, CGMA: This is an excellent time to enter the accounting profession! Not only because technology continues to remove some of the more mechanical tasks that used to be performed by a person, but also because there is an extreme shortage of accounting-educated personnel across the country, especially those seeking to enter the profession. This fact is increasing salaries and benefits as hiring companies compete to hire new professionals.
What general advice would you give to an Accountant?
Ermira Mazziotta MBA, CPA, CFE: Understand what is one skill that is needed, example cyber security, understanding and utilizing Ai and invest on learning that skill. Become the person with the answers that helps your team reach their goals.
What Accountant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ermira Mazziotta MBA, CPA, CFE: Accounting students are in a very good position to land well paying jobs because of the demand. Most important advice I would give is to continue to learn and grow and invest in your professional growth by taking classes, working on different clients from different industries and most importantly network. If you have an option to work in the office, do that instead of working remotely. Making those face to face connections will help propel and grow your career.
What will help Accountants increase their earning potential?
Ermira Mazziotta MBA, CPA, CFE: Accounting students are in a very good position to land well paying jobs because of the demand. Most important advice I would give is to continue to learn and grow and invest in your professional growth by taking classes, working on different clients from different industries and most importantly network. If you have an option to work in the office, do that instead of working remotely. Making those face to face connections will help propel and grow your career.