Accounting as a Profession

Careers in Accounting
Traditional and Emerging Careers in Accounting
Accounting skills are required in almost every organization. Here is a list of
situations which gives some idea of the extensive range of possibilities:

● Small - medium - and large scale businesses

● Government departments
● Professions: legal, real estate, medical, dental, veterinary
● Finance: banking, insurance, investments
● Hospitals, schools, colleges, universities
● Charities
● Sports and social clubs and other non-profit organizations
 Traditional roles for the Accountant
Accounts Manager - leads the accounts department of an organisation and
prepares financial information for executives on recent performance and for
forecasting purposes.

Tax Accountant - could work in a large organisation to ensure compliance with

current tax regulations, or work in a self-employed capacity preparing tax returns
and giving advice on taxation issues to local clients.

Internal Auditor - whose job it is to provide an objective assessment of an

organisation’s financial systems and controls.
Emerging Roles For the Accountant
Environmental Accountant - specialist in ensuring a business is environmentally
responsible and profitable.

E-commerce specialist: has expertise on internet regulations and can initiate and
manage e-commerce projects.

Accounting Software Developer: researches and creates programs that meet

the complex needs of particular organisations.
 Career Range
- Record Keeping - Corporate Finance
- Financial reporting - Consultancy
- Insolvency
- Taxation
- Forensic Accounting
- Auditing
Examples of areas Accountant can specialise
● Financial Accountant

● Management Accountant
Initial Jobs in Accounting with any qualifications
- Accounts clerk - Book-keeper
- Auditing Clerk - Bank clerk
- Accounts receivable clerk - Management trainee
- Accounts payable clerk
- Payroll clerk.
- Accounts assistant
Careers in other broadly Financial Occupations
● Payroll Manager
● Marketing Manager
● Human Resources (HR) Manager
● Public Relations Manager

INSURANCE

● Actuary
● Claims Investigator
● Underwriter
Other Careers
Banking Entrepreneurship

● Bank Clerk ● Entrepreneurs design

● Bank Manager

● Investment Banker
 Practice Questions
1. Identify five (5) non-business and 5. Explain the role of
non-professional organizations that
A. An auditor
would employ bookkeepers.
2. Identify three (3) qualities you would B. a forensic accountant
expect of a person applying to be a
bookkeeper in your business.
3. Identify three (3) types of
professional organizations that would
employ accountants
4. Identify three (3) skills you would
expect of a person applying to be an
accountant in your business.