Public Accountant

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A Public Accountant is an accountant who has not (or has not yet) obtained a state license in accounting by completing accreditation requirements. Accountants maintain and audit financial records for organizations or individuals, but they can specialize in any number of different areas. They can be bookkeepers or tax experts, government auditors or top-level financial planners for multinational corporations.

Becoming an accountant means overseeing the budgets and financial management of a company, business or any organization that requires financial responsibility and accountability. Accountants ensure that the financial records of an organization are precise and that all revenues, investments and expenditures are tracked and reported without discrepancies. Public accountants who do not possess their CPA license are not authorized to file financial documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Degrees for Public Accountants

A bachelor's degree in accounting is usually the basic qualification for entry into the field of accounting. Some companies prefer applicants to possess a MBA or master's degree in accounting to qualify for employment.

The goal of many who study accounting is to obtain a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license. To become a CPA, most states require candidates to possess a minimum of a bachelor's degree plus 30 additional hours of coursework for a total of 150 hours of college coursework. The candidate is then required to take a two-day, four-part Uniform CPA Examination prepared by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Additionally, most states require CPAs to renew their licenses by completing continuing education classes.

Public Accountant Job Description

Public accountants often work independently or on a contractual basis. They can perform a broad range of accounting, auditing, tax and consulting activities for their clients, which may be corporations, governments, nonprofit organizations or individuals.

The key to a successful career in accounting begins by acquiring the multiple skills and core competencies used in the discipline. These range from an in-depth understanding of accounting and business concepts to effective leadership and communication skills. Those who wish to become CPAs should also develop a broad business perspective to better assess the internal and external factors that can influence a business both in the short term and long run. They need to possess an inclination toward mathematics while also being able to communicate this information effectively, translating numbers into concepts, facts, trends and projections.

Practical knowledge of computers and relevant software is a necessity for those employed in the accounting field and for those seeking to enter the field.

Public Accountant Salary

A career as an accountant provides individuals with a competitive entry-level salary and excellent long-term growth potential. According to figures released by the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, bachelor's degree candidates in accounting received starting offers averaging $48,993 per year in July 2009.