Brandy Garcia-CortezWest Los Angeles College

A certified public accountant is a great job career for anyone, especially for those looking for a career change.

With a little dedication and passion, becoming a CPA will be a rewarding experience. CPA's are needed in every

state and the job market increases each year. Depending on where you plan on working, the average CPA salary is

around 48,000-70,000. If these facts interest you, bear with me and find out what it takes to become a successful

CPA.

INTRODUCTION

•Accountants are experts at preparing and analyzing financial reports.- Analysis purpose & decision making- Record keeping- Financial accounting & reporting•Accountancy is the universal language of business and figure•Very challenging career

JOB DESCRIPTION

•Analyze company budget, expenses and revenue•Oversee bookkeeping and payroll•Figure company benefits•Auditing•Manage bank accounts and investments•Prepare profit and loss statements•Compile and analyze financial information•Explain billing invoices and accounting policies•Supervise the input and handling of financial data and reports

DUTIES & TASKS

•Business attire at all times.•Accountants tend to work in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment.•During the tax season, which lasts from January 2 to April 15, when taxes are due, many public accountants work long hours preparing tax returns for individuals and companies. •The job involves much contact with customers.•Accountants must be patient and accurate, because their job involves details and numbers.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

•a Bachelor's degree

•some credit experience in accounting obtained at a CPA college or at a CPA online school

•24 semester units of accounting & business-based subjects

•150 semester units of education in total

•Meeting CPA requirements & passing CPA exam

EDUCATION & TRAINING REQUIRED

•Computer skills•Higher mathematics•A way with numbers•A passion for detail•Laws. Rules, & regulations•Good communication skills

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Office equipment such as:

•A computer with accounting software.

•Calculator

•Columnar pads

•Fax machine

•Telephone

TOOLS & EQUIPMENT USED

EXPECTED EARNINGS

•Employment of public accountants is expected to increase at a rate of 16% faster than the average for all professions through the year 2020.•Because of increasing corporate scandals, improvement is being pressured thus, accountants have a better chance of getting a job.•the continued globalization of big businesses will create a demand for accountants that understand international accounting rules.

JOB OUTLOOK

•The Association of Accountants and Financial Professionals in Businesshttp://www.imanet.org/ima_home.aspx.•American Accounting Associationhttp://www.aaahq.org.•American Society of Women Accountantshttp://www.aswa.org.•Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accountinghttp://www.alpfa.org.•National Society of Accountantshttp://www.nsacct.org.

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

“Accounting.” Investor Words. WebFinance, n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2012. <http://www.investorwords.com/48/accounting.html>.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition.

“CPA”. Career Explorer. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2012. <http://www.careerexplorer.net/accounting-finance/cpa>.

“Importance of Accounting/Accountancy.” AccountantNextDoor. WordPress, n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2012.

<http://www.accountantnextdoor.com/importance-of-accounting-accountancy/>.

WORKS CITED