Accountants and Auditors
What is an Accountant and Auditor?
Accountants and auditors are financial professionals responsible for managing financial records, ensuring compliance with regulations, and providing guidance on financial decisions. They play a crucial role in the financial health of businesses, individuals, and organizations by preparing financial statements, conducting audits, and analyzing financial data. Accountants often focus on tax preparation, budgeting, and financial analysis, while auditors assess the accuracy and completeness of financial reports and internal controls. Both professions require a strong understanding of accounting principles and laws, along with analytical skills to interpret financial information. Accountants can work in various industries, including public accounting firms, corporations, non-profits, and government agencies, whereas auditors typically work in public accounting firms or as internal auditors for corporations. Together, they contribute to the transparency and integrity of financial reporting, helping stakeholders make informed financial decisions.
Tasks
- Prepare detailed reports on audit findings.
- Report to management about asset utilization and audit results, and recommend changes in operations and financial activities.
- Collect and analyze data to detect deficient controls, duplicated effort, extravagance, fraud, or non-compliance with laws, regulations, and management policies.
- Inspect account books and accounting systems for efficiency, effectiveness, and use of accepted accounting procedures to record transactions.
- Supervise auditing of establishments, and determine scope of investigation required.
Technology Skills
-
Accounting software
- Intuit QuickBooks
- Sage 50 Accounting
- SAP Concur
- Summit Software Summit Biofuels Accounting
-
Word processing software
- Google Docs
- Microsoft OneNote
- Microsoft Word
-
Financial analysis software
- Delphi Technology
- Oracle E-Business Suite Financials
- TopCAATs
- Tropics workers' compensation software
-
Tax preparation software
- ATX Total Tax Office
- Intuit TurboTax
- NewPortWave Year End Solutions
- Thomson GoSystem Tax
-
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Microsoft Dynamics
- Oracle PeopleSoft
- SAP software
- Workday software
Tools Used
-
Photocopiers
- Photocopying equipment
-
Scanners
- Computer data input scanners
-
Notebook computers
- Laptop computers
-
Personal digital assistant PDAs or organizers
- Personal digital assistants PDA
-
Laser fax machine
- Laser facsimile machines
Knowledge
-
Economics and Accounting
Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
-
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
-
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
-
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Skills
-
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
-
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
-
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
-
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
-
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Abilities
-
Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
-
Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
-
Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
-
Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
-
Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Work Activities
-
Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
-
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
-
Working with Computers
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
-
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
-
Documenting/Recording Information
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Detailed Work Activities
- Prepare financial documents, reports, or budgets.
- Advise others on financial matters.
- Report information to managers or other personnel.
- Advise others on business or operational matters.
- Examine financial records.
Work Interests
-
Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
-
Enterprising
Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.
-
Investigative
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
Job Outlook
Projected salary and job growth
$50440.0 - $137280.0
This career will grow rapidly in the next few years and will have large numbers of openings.