From small startups to large corporations, companies rely on accountants to help keep their financial matters in order. Without skilled accountants, many businesses would face serious financial challenges that could hurt their bottom line. Working in accounting jobs, you'll play a vital role in safeguarding a company's finances and ensuring that they're in compliance with state and federal laws. You'll also examine financial records, conduct financial audits, identify financial risks, and suggest budget cuts and other solutions.
When you choose a career in accounting, you'll work in a fast-paced environment with room for growth. There are currently tons of accounting jobs available to job seekers with related college education and the right certification.
You can also expand your search for finance jobs by checking out these similar positions:
Want to know what requirements are needed to get an accounting job? First, you'll need a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field. To become a certified public accountant (CPA), you must either earn a master's degree in accounting or complete a post-bachelor's certificate program. Then, you'll need to take the Uniform CPA Exam offered by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
In addition to a solid education, employers look for a certain skill set when hiring accountants, including:
To learn more about what steps you'll need to take to get an accounting job, read our article on how to become an accountant.
Do you have the skills and qualifications needed to work as an accountant? If so, the next step is to land that interview. Employers scan cover letters and resumes before choosing the candidates they want to interview, so it's critical that your application materials accurately represent your skills, experience, and abilities. Read our accounting resume sample to learn how to make your resume shine.
Your cover letter allows you to introduce yourself to potential employers and briefly describe why you're the most qualified candidate for the job. Read our finance cover letter tips and flip through our cover letter examples to get an idea of how to write a dynamic cover letter that's targeted to your job title.
During the interviewing process, a potential employer will have many questions for you. They'll want to know about your education and any previous work experience you have. Prepare yourself ahead of time by reading our complete list of accounting interview questions. These are some of the general questions a potential employer might ask:
Want to know how much you'll earn in an accounting career? General accountants in the U.S. earn a median salary of $55,899, but pay varies by job title. For example, tax accountants earn an average of $64,973 per year, and CPAs earn $68,941. You can find out how much money you can expect to earn by entering your job title and area into our Salary Guide.
Have a certain company in mind? We offer a list of company profiles so you can research organizations you're interested in. Here, you'll find:
Are you prepared for a career in accounting? If so, set up your profile on Monster for free and begin clicking on those accounting jobs. When you sign up with us, you'll receive custom job alerts and expert advice on how to negotiate your salary, how to nail your job interview, and more.