Also called: Staff Accountant, CPA
Prepares and checks financial records, makes sure taxes are paid and helps organizations understand their money.
At month-end you match the bank statement to the books, find a $3,000 mystery charge and chase it down. Then you prepare the financial statements and explain to your manager why expenses jumped.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in accounting; many earn a CPA license.
Ways in: 4-year college, Certification, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Accounting, Finance.
Growing faster than average (about 5% over 10 years). Faster than average; a shortage of new CPAs is boosting demand.
Medium risk for 10 years. AI automates reconciliations and draft statements, trimming entry-level work; accountants who interpret, advise and sign off remain needed.
Classes: Accounting, AP Statistics, Computer applications, Economics.
Official data: O*NET occupation 13-2011.
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