Every business, organization, or individual that generates income is responsible for paying taxes. But even if this were not the case, good accounting would still be necessary if long-term growth is a major concern. Accounting isn't just about paying the IRS every year. It also involves budgeting, bookkeeping, saving, investing, and planning for the future. Given this wide range of duties, it should be pretty obvious that there are numerous opportunities for those interested in accounting careers in today's competitive business world.

Different Types of Accounting Careers

There are many different types of accounting careers at many different levels of expertise. Forensic accountants, financial investors, auditors, bookkeepers, retirement specialists, tax accountants, and legal accountants represent a small swath of what is available. And even within these, there are opportunities at the federal, state, and local government levels, as well as in the private and public sectors. It seems that a genuine love of numbers, an accounting degree or certificate, and a natural inclination for orderliness are the major prerequisites for this particular career sector.

Job Opportunities and Salaries for Accounting Careers

Fortunately, positions for accountants should be numerous in the coming years. The US Department of Labor predicts that this career will grow faster than the national average for all other occupations. Industry-wide, the median salary for accountants and auditors was approximately $50,000 in 2004. Of course, this figure is substantially higher for some sectors (accountants at large financial firms) than for others (auditors for municipal government bodies).

US Department of Labor

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