Corporate Crackdowns Lead to Plentiful Accounting Jobs
By Joe Taylor Jr.
joe.taylor@university-of-phoenix-campus.net
University of Phoenix Columnist
Analysts once expected computers to eliminate most accounting jobs, corporate scandals and new legislation have put accountants in high demand.
Business disasters like Enron and WorldCom fueled a wave of corporate legislation that has invigorated the accounting field. Laws like the Sarbanes-Oxley Act require strict compliance with accepted accounting principles. Even smaller businesses must team up with accountants that have completed audit training, to assure their books meet government standards. These developments make an accounting career more lucrative than ever.
Instead of popping up only in the months before tax time, accounting jobs appear regularly in want ads and on Internet job boards. According to government statistics, many accountants earn more than $43,000 in their first year on the job. By adding a minimal amount of coursework to an existing bachelor's degree, working adults can earn a Bachelor of Science in Business with an accounting concentration.
With an accounting degree, job seekers can grab an entry-level accounting job.
Even in their first year, new accountants can often enjoy professional development and tuition-reimbursement programs. Online accounting training can keep you up-to-date on new laws, while qualifying you for promotions and bigger projects.
Quality accounting training became even more essential after the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants recommended that CPA candidates complete 150 hours of accounting coursework before earning certification. With most states adhering to that stricter guideline, an MBA in Accounting has become essential for anyone who wants to build a long-term accounting career.
Despite the innovations of software packages like QuickBooks, graduates of accounting training programs can expect to choose from a wealth of available accounting jobs.
Sources
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Sarbanes-Oxley Forum
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
About the Author
In addition to his work as an author and business coach, Joe Taylor Jr. has covered business and finance news for Financial Times Television and CNBC.
