A Career In Accounting
The average pay for a career in accounting is high, and the opportunities for advancement are endless. With so many different fields to work within, you'll never run out of options!
If you're curious about what it takes to pursue a career in accounting and not sure where to start, this is the article for you! I'll be discussing how much an accountant's salary will depend on your skills and experience, what type of formal education is necessary, and whether or not there are any ways to break into the job market without a degree. I'll also go over some pros and cons of becoming an accountant as well as listing some competitive jobs that might interest you.
Before I begin though, let me just say that if you're reading this because you think accounting might be a great major for college, have a look at our Best Business Majors Rankings. Accounting is ranked #6 out of 200 majors, which means it's extremely popular and one of the best degrees to go into if you want to make money!
So, how much do accountants make?
This really depends on your education and what field of accounting you decide to specialize in. The average pay for an accountant can range from $23,000-$47,000 annually. The closer to $47,000 that you get the more specialized your degree will become. Accountants in the top pay range are very well educated and have extremely high certifications. Most people don't make nearly this amount, but they keep their salaries high by taking on more responsibilities and moving up the corporate ladder.
For example, a certified public accountant (or CPA) can make well over $60,000 a year. So if you're interested in becoming a CPA you should spend some time researching this field's requirements and how much income you'll receive when you finish your degree.
Where do you start your career?
The great thing about becoming an accountant is that you have a lot of opportunities to work for different companies and in different career paths. You could choose to be a personal accountant, or you may decide to become a corporate tax accountant. There are really hundreds of options open, which means you'll have tons of chances to advance in the future!
In order to specialize, however, there are a few things you'll need to know. If you're seeking a lucrative position as an accountant with a large company then they're going to want someone who has extensive education and experience. They'll also want to see that you can pass a series of tests that are required by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) before you can become certified.
What about the pay for an accountant with no education?
If you've never set foot in a classroom and want to be an accountant, I have bad news for you. You cannot just walk into any company and get a job as an accountant without years of experience, certifications, and even some college credit. If you don't have much experience or education under your belt then it would be very difficult for any company to offer you a good salary. They'll look at it and say, "Oh, you're just a high school guy with no experience. We don't want to hire you!"
However, if you decide on a career as an accountant without going to school, you're probably going to have to work hard to receive enough experience or education. The best way to do that is by interning at different companies. You can also volunteer at your local community college or ask your high school guidance counselor for help picking courses that will transfer into the career field of your choice.
What career paths can accountants pursue?
Accountants have a lot of choices when it comes to their careers. They can work in the public sector, private sector, or even be self-employed. Some of the best-paying areas are in the private sector and accounting firms. A CPA with a degree can expect to make well over $60,000 a year while working directly for a large company like Arthur Andersen.
The public sector offers some great opportunities as well, though it's not nearly as lucrative as the private sector. The federal government will pay you well for being an accountant and you'll have access to tons of benefits! You'll have great benefits and job security working for the government.
How can you break into the accounting world?
There are many ways to get into the accounting field. If you enjoy Computer Science and Math classes, you can easily get certified as an accountant and earn a degree at school. There are also certain certifications in the finance field that will allow you to become a certified public accountant. The AICPA is a good place to start your career as an accountant, because they offer tons of certifications and other benefits are available to those who are certified by them.
If you're interested in becoming a self-employed accountant, you can set your own hours and work whenever you want. You'll be able to charge for your services as well and become a full-time accountant. The best way to do this is to start by opening a small business of some sort, like a restaurant or coffee shop. You can then work on taxes and finances while still being able to spend time with your customers!
I hope you enjoyed my article on the average pay for an accountant and the earning potential of this career path. Please come back soon for more great career tips, advice, and information.
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This article is part of the Best Business Majors Rankings series. Check out our other rankings:
Best Public Relations Majors | Best Marketing Majors | Best Sales Majors | Best Management Majors | Best Entrepreneurship Majors | Best Biology Majors | Best Sociology Majors | Best Psychology Majors|Best Art History Majors|Best Business Management Masters|Top Financial Economics Masters|Top Human Resources Masters|Top Law Degrees|See All Popular Business Degree Rankings:http://www.bestmba.com/rankings
SEE MORE ON ACCOUNTING CAREERS HERE: How to Become an Accountant | How to Get a Job as an Accountant | CPA Career Track | Top Accounting Universities|Accounting Careers
This article is part of the Best Business Majors Rankings series.
Conclusion
Colleges and universities offer accounting degrees at various levels, from undergraduate Bachelors to the Masters and PhD. There are also a number of specialized accounting programs for accountants to obtain their certification. Accountants can work for a number of different companies and organizations, but the best-paying positions are available in large corporations or firms which earn high incomes as CPA's. There are many choices in career paths for accountants and it is easy to accommodate any schedule. The internet offers simple methods of going into business on your own without much initial capital investment.
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A Career In Accounting