Careers in Accounting

Careers in Accounting

Andrea Perrucci

Renee Zysc

Accounting 101

Strayer University

12/01/2014

Careers in Accounting

CAREER CHOICES

When you pursue a career in accounting there are several paths that you can take.  There are public and private accountants that work in auditing, tax, and forensics and as CPA’s to name a few.  As an auditing accountant you may have a more interactive relationship with your clients while as a tax accountant you may be more hands on in a company’s day to day functions.  (Dalton, Buchheit, & McMillan, 2014) In forensics accounting you would need more specialized skills and need to be able to discover hidden monies and transactions in order to uncover fraud and illegal activities.  (Kranacher, et al., 2006)

FORENSIC ACCOUNTING

A forensic accountant would provide value to a company by combine accounting skills such as auditing skills and finance knowledge with quantitative methods.  They would also use investigation skills such as analyzing and evaluating financial evidence and interpreting their findings. Good communication and writing skills are key skills needed as well in order to report issues that are discovered on a regular basis.  (Kranacher, et al., 2006)  When all of these skills are combined a forensic accountant would make recommendations to minimize future loss and resolving disputes.  They may also be asked to testify as expert witnesses in court proceedings and support litigation in legal disputes. (Camenson).  Attorneys use forensic accountants in cases that involve financial statements, economic damages and fraud.  (Davis, Ogilby, & Farrell, 2010)

References

Camenson, B. (n.d.). Opportunities in Forensic Science Careers. In McGraw Hill Professional.

Dalton, D. W., Buchheit, S., & McMillan, J. J. (2014). Audit and Tax Career Paths in Public Accounting: An Analysis of Student and Professional Perceptions. Accounting Horizons.

Davis, C., Ogilby, S., & Farrell, R. (2010). Survival of the Analytically Fit: The DNA of an Effective Forensic Accountant. Journal of Accountancy.

Kranacher, M.-J., Morris, B., Riley, R. A., Robertson, J., Wells, J. T., & Houck, M. M. (2006). Forensic Accounting as an Investigative Tool. CPA Journal, 68-70.