Public Accountants Career Specializations
A public accountant may specialize in anything from tax advice to corporations and
individuals, to employee compensation or benefits, or even to the design of accounting
systems within the firm.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
The job duties and responsibilities performed by the public accountant vary with
their area of specialization and their role within their firm. Some may be employed
to give advice on tax advantages and disadvantages to corporations and others may
be self-employed and prepare tax returns or give advice to private clients. Others
may assist in the design and safeguards for accounting software. Still others may
perform external audits for companies upon request.
Work Environment
Most often a public accountant will be found in a comfortable office setting and
working a standard 40 hour work week. However the public accountant who is self-employed
may work longer hours. Those who specialize in tax return and advice may find extended
hours necessary during tax season.
Employment Outlook and Opportunities
About 10% of all public accountants are reported to be self-employed the remainder
worked for larger public accounting firms.
According to a 2006 job outlook report published by the US Department of Labor the
job outlook the growth of employment opportunities for public accountants is predicted
to be faster than average. Changes in tax laws and the increase in scrutiny of company
finances are expected to increase the demand for the public accountant even further.
How much does a Public Accountant make - Public Accountant Salaries and Wages
Earnings for Public Accountants with 1 to 4 years experience are reported
to be in the range from $41,357 and $52,083 annually.
Earnings for Public Accountants with 5 to 9 years experience are reported
to be in the range from $44,236-$67,056 annually.
Earnings for Public Accountants with 10 to 19 years experience are reported
to be in the range from $41,236-$76,320 annually.
How to Become a Public Accountant
Education for Public Accountants
The most popular and useful major for a public accountant is a degree in accounting.
Most private sector employers prefer a CPA for candidates for the position of public
accountant. It is reported that the stronger the educational background, the better
the outlook is for the job seeker.
Federal law states that any accountant filing a report with the SEC is required
by law to be a CPA. This might also include many public accountants employed by
public accounting firms. To become a CPA, an accountant must pass a national exam
as well as meet their state requirements.
To maintain a CPA certification, continuing education credits are normally required
as well. Most states require an additional 30 hours beyond the usual four year bachelor
degree. Many schools, both online and traditional campus based have altered their
curriculum to accommodate these requirements.
Career Advancement
The public accountant normally will have a good number of choices in terms of career
advancement. Those working for public accounting firms may, after gaining some experience,
transition to being self-employed. Others may prefer the upward mobility within
a company and the supervisory positions offered there.
For more information on schools offering a public accountant degree a student can
use the links provided on this site.
Public Accountants Resources
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
National Society of Accountants