Should I Consider Becoming a CPA?

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The Certified Public Accountant business is a favorable, honorable profession. However, there is much responsibility on the shoulders of any accountant. Many people perform accountant duties that are not actually certified, but this credential really accentuates your credibility in the field. There are tasks that uncertified accounting individuals may not perform, so the certification is good to have.

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers Survey in 2012, CPAs made an average of $50,500. However, the same source suggests those who earn their CPA license can expect to potentially reach $124,000 over time.

What Considerations are there for Certified Public Accountants?

Public accountants may work in their own personal office, for firms who need accountant onsite, or for businesses that does accounting as a profession. There is much autonomy in this field, with much one on one with clients and individual counseling. The business of accounting can be seasonally difficult with many long hours during tax season or at the end of fiscal periods. Certified public accountants have many different opportunities from private work to large firms and different spans of clients. There is opportunity to specialize in different fields, which may include anything from small single clients to large groups with a common theme.

Certified accountants will be individuals with attention to details, sharp concentration, and ability to work well independently. Ability to multi-task, diplomacy, and motivational skills are all great assets for this professional. Accountants must be able to think logically, be flexible, and professional with client as well as coworkers.

It is important to stay abreast of current software programs, word processing applications, and electronic securities. Accountants should be well-versed in computer code and programming languages; spreadsheet, database, and online assurance; how e-commerce works; wireless technology; Internet engineering and how to use Web-based accounting applications.

Certified Public Accountants Must Have a Variety of Skills

Even though much of the accountant’s work is technical, study oriented, and much documentation, good communication skills are imperative. Being able to listen to clients about detailed information and being able to make recommendations and offer feedback is of utmost importance. With all the technical helps in programs like spell checker and other features, writing skill is not as important as it used to be.

Still, translating complicated data into common language for the average lay person to be able to understand may take much practice in the field in order to make the client feel secure about your abilities. Being able to inform face to face as well as in groups is a helpful attribute.

Being knowledgeable about other individuals in the company and their job descriptions, as well as the responsibilities of other departments is something the accountant needs to know. You should know what other departments do and how their activities contribute to the bottom line. In addition, you should know the key players in each division — senior executives, administrative liaisons, project team managers. This helps with the vision of the different goals that an entire firm, or company may be trying to attain, and resource and prudent spending and appropriation of funds is needed.

This is an exciting career for the right person and one that pays well, even years after graduation.