skills needed by an accountant

Here's why you may want to become an accountant

Specific skills needed by an accountant

Accountants and auditors keep track of a company's money. The company's managers and people outside the company read their reports. Managers look at the accountants' reports to see how well their companies are doing. Governments use the reports to tell how much tax a company should pay. Some people read them to decide if they want to do business with the company. Others use them to decide if they want to lend money to the company or not.

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How to get the skills needed by an accountant

Most accountants have a college degree in accounting. Public accountants have to take a special test as well. Public accountants also must have a special license from the State in which they live. Some employers want accountants who have a master's degree in business or accounting. Most employers want accountants who know quite a bit about computers.

People who want to be accountants should be good at math. They also should be able to write well, so that they can tell others about their findings.

Job Outlook for people who acquire the skills needed by an accountant

Employment of accountants and auditors is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2012.

Accountants have good job opportunities. Accountants who have a lot of special skills, such as certified public accountants (CPAs) and certified management accountants, should have the easiest time finding a job.

Click here to go to our Resource Box of schools that can help you understand more about the skills needed by an accountant

Note: information is partially based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics