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Accountants manage and "account" for the money moving into, through, and out of all organizations. The work of an accountant involves:
- examining, correcting, and interpreting accounting records and documents;
- recording costs and other data and checking for correctness;
- preparing financial reports;
- keeping up with changes in tax laws and accounting procedures;
- using computer spreadsheet software.
Many accountants do not have a certificate beyond the college diploma, but others get a Certified Public Accountant (C.P.A.) to open up more opportunities. A CPA must have several years of experience and pass a special state exam.
| Education: |
A four-year degree in accounting |
| Certificates, licenses: |
Preferred: C.P.A. (Certified Public Accountant), P.A. (Public Accountant), R.P.A. (Registered Public Accountant, or A.P. (Accounting Practitioner) |
| Desirable traits and skills: |
Focused; written and oral communication skills; attention to detail; able to understand complex financial information; mathematical reasoning |
| For more information: |
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Harborside Financial Center 201 Plaza III Jersey City, NJ 07311-3881 http://www.aicpa.org
National Society of Accountants and the Accreditation Council for Accountancy and Taxation 1010 North Fairfax St. Alexandria, VA 22314 http://www.nsacct.org | |
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