Hello all I am currently in training to develop my professional project which is to become an accountant. I need to conduct a survey as part of my training to better understand / discover the job in order to realize if the field of accounting suits me. I would really appreciate it if any accountants could answer a few questions that could help me greatly. If this is not the correct place to pose these questions can you suggest other forums? Thank you for your attention and time spent answering. Thank you in advance 1. What is a typical work day for you? 2. What are the main tasks? 3. What skills are needed to practice the profession? 4. What qualifications are required to enter this profession? 5. What are the working conditions (teamwork, autonomy, job responsibility)? 6. What are the hours? 7. What are the constraints? 8. What qualities are necessary? 9. What are the development opportunities (promotion)? 10. What is the average salary? 11. What are the positive and negative aspects of the job for you? 12. What area of accountancy do you work in?
Some questions about the accounting profession
Answers
1. What is a typical workday for you?
Our job roles are usually defined by the company. We work under the framework set on us like any other job.
2. What are the main tasks?
Here are some of the responsibilities of an accountant:
- Prepares asset, liability, and capital account entries
- Documents financial transactions
- Recommends financial actions
- Summarizes current financial status by collecting information and other reports.
- Substantiates financial transactions
- Maintains accounting controls
- Reconciles financial discrepancies by collecting and analyzing account information.
- Secures financial information
- Complies with federal, state, and local financial legal requirements
- Maintains professional and technical knowledge
3. What skills are needed to practice the profession?
Here's a list of skills required:
- self-motivation.
- integrity.
- ability to reflect on one's own work as well as the wider consequences of financial decisions.
- business acumen and interest.
- organizational skills and ability to manage deadlines.
- teamworking ability.
- communication and interpersonal skills.
- proficiency in IT.
4. What qualifications are required to enter this profession?
US CPA, CMA, bachelors, masters, and a diploma in accounting should help you
5. What are the working conditions (teamwork, autonomy, job responsibility)?
Depending upon the size of the organization you work for, you may work in teams (for large MNCs) or individually (smaller companies)
6. What are the hours?
Standard 40 - 50 hours work weeks except for busy and interim seasons
7. What are the constraints?
A job can get too monotonous if you're not upskilling and taking up new and opportunistic work coming your way
8. What qualities are necessary?
I have briefed it in answer 3.
9. What are the development opportunities (promotion)?
Initial years may be a little low, but promotions and income grow wildly as you spend certain years in the field
10. What is the average salary?
This highly depends on the company and the job role
11. What are the positive and negative aspects of the job for you?
It takes time to earn something big with accounting as a career. Waiting is frustrating. But with patience comes virtue!
12. What area of accountancy do you work in?
Auditing and other accounting support