Accounting

Career and Major Information
Related Career Titles
Web Sites
Salary Information

The Associate of Science degree in Business at Walters State Community College is designed to fulfill course requirements for the freshman and sophomore levels of a bachelor’s degree.  This program is a university parallel curriculum, designed to transfer; however, it is not course specific for any particular college or university.   A student will need to consult with a faculty advisor at WSCC or at the four-year school to which he/she intends to transfer to determine individual course requirements.  The link for the Business Division at WSCC is: http://www.ws.edu/businessdiv/default.asp. 

Career and Major Information:

This information was taken from the Occupational Outlook Handbook 2004-2005.

Most jobs in this field require at least a bachelor’s degree.  Accountants who have pursued expertise in specialty areas or masters degrees will be more attractive to employers.  The job outlook for accountancy is very good in the next several years due to increased accountability for financial record keeping and expected growth in businesses.

Accountants assist businesses in running smoothly by ensuring that public records are kept correctly, financial obligations are met on time, and operations of the business are conducted efficiently.  Due to the increase in technological expertise, many accountants have become proficient in computer and information technology; some may be able to correct or design software to meet specific accounting needs.  They may serve as financial advisors for clients who want consolidated financial services.  There are four major fields in accounting.

Public accountants perform several different functions for their clients, including tax preparation, auditing, accounting and consulting.  The clientele may include corporations, governments, or individuals.

Management accountants record and manage financial information for companies.  They may be part of management teams who deal with budgeting, cost management, and asset management, and financial reporting.

Government accountants and auditors maintain and examine the financial records of government agencies, private businesses and individuals.  The Internal Revenue Agency is part of this group.

Internal auditors check for accuracy, mismanagement, and waste or fraud by evaluating their firms’ financial records and instituting controls.  They may assist managers in making decisions by supplying them with pertinent data.

Further certification or licensure may include obtaining the Certified Pubic Accountant certificate, which involves meeting requirements determined by each state and by passing an examination prepared by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Related Career Titles:

Web Sites:

Accounting.com http://www.accounting.com/ Finance and Accounting Information www.careers-in-business.com

Careers in Accounting http://www.careers-in-accounting.com 

Accountants & Auditors (Occupational Outlook Handbook) http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos001.htm

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Occupational Outlook Handbook: Budget Organizations/ Analysts http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos003.htm

Financial Managers http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos010.htm

Salary Information:

In 2002, the median wage and salary annual earnings of accountants and auditors were $47,000. The middle half of the occupation earned between $37,210 and $61,630. The top 10 percent of accountants and auditors earned more than $82,730, and the bottom 10 percent earned less than $30,320. In 2002, median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of accountants and auditors were:

According to a salary survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, bachelor’s degree candidates in accounting received starting offers averaging $40,647 a year in 2003; master’s degree candidates in accounting were initially offered $42,241.

Salary figures quoted are based on national figures. Local or regional salaries may be lower.