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Careers in Accounting

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Careers in Accounting
Kimberly Bolton
Accounting 100 – Accounting I
November 24, 2014
Dr. Anita McKie

Careers in Accounting Someone with an education or degree in accounting can pursue different careers. Two of the most profitable career choices would be Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Chief Financial Officer (CFO). A CPA has an array of duties, to include: filing taxes for individuals or corporations, as well as offering financial planning services. According to AICPA (2014), the financial planning services often include: financial compliance, asset management, managing internal reviews and risk or assessment management. It is worth noting that the CPA can work in different venues such as: government, non-profit sectors, and academe. The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is another lucrative position for accountants. The CFO plays a vital role in the financial success of any organization. Gaylord & Ried (2006) argue that bearers of this position have the responsibility of informing the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and board members of any financial transactions, as well as the financial health of the organization. An individual who is seeking employment as a CFO needs to combine a considerable amount of experience with a proven working knowledge of finance operations and accounting, taxes, investment strategies, computer information systems and other current accounting programs. In order to be successful in their positions and be the most effective in their responsibilities, CFOs must have strong social and leadership skills, be analytical as well as knowledgeable in problem resolution. Most of all, they must be able to demonstrate a great deal of ethical conduct in all their business practices. According to Gaylord & Ried (2006), for a person to advance to the CFO level, he/she must have, at minimum, a master’s

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