Accountants and Auditors
Overview
Accountants and auditors are financial detectives who examine company records, prepare tax returns, and help businesses make smart money decisions. They use advanced software and data analysis tools to spot errors, prevent fraud, and find ways to save money or increase profits. This career offers strong job security and opportunities for remote or hybrid work, with many paths including public accounting firms, corporations, or government agencies. A bachelor's degree in accounting or finance is typically required, along with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Did you know?
Most advanced accounting positions in the US require Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure, which involves passing a rigorous four-part exam and meeting state-specific education and experience requirements.
At a Glance
Median Wage
$79,711.57 Avg/yr
Growth
Fast Growing
Top Skill
Judgment and Decision Making
Key Responsibilities
- Evaluate taxpayer finances to determine tax liability, using knowledge of interest and discount rates, annuities, valuation of stocks and bonds, and amortization valuation of depletable assets.
- Report to management regarding the finances of establishment.
- Advise clients in areas such as compensation, employee health care benefits, the design of accounting or data processing systems, or long-range tax or estate plans.
- Process invoices for payment.
- Review taxpayer accounts, and conduct audits on-site, by correspondence, or by summoning taxpayer to office.
- Supervise auditing of establishments, and determine scope of investigation required.
- Report to management about asset utilization and audit results, and recommend changes in operations and financial activities.
- Inspect account books and accounting systems for efficiency, effectiveness, and use of accepted accounting procedures to record transactions.
- Prepare detailed reports on audit findings.
- Develop, maintain, or analyze budgets, preparing periodic reports that compare budgeted costs to actual costs.
- Conduct pre-implementation audits to determine if systems and programs under development will work as planned.
- Develop, implement, modify, and document recordkeeping and accounting systems, making use of current computer technology.
- Analyze business operations, trends, costs, revenues, financial commitments, and obligations to project future revenues and expenses or to provide advice.
- Audit payroll and personnel records to determine unemployment insurance premiums, workers' compensation coverage, liabilities, and compliance with tax laws.
- Compute taxes owed and prepare tax returns, ensuring compliance with payment, reporting, or other tax requirements.
- Prepare, analyze, or verify annual reports, financial statements, and other records, using accepted accounting and statistical procedures to assess financial condition and facilitate financial planning.
- Prepare adjusting journal entries.
- Inspect cash on hand, notes receivable and payable, negotiable securities, and canceled checks to confirm records are accurate.
- Examine and evaluate financial and information systems, recommending controls to ensure system reliability and data integrity.
- Review accounts for discrepancies and reconcile differences.
- Examine records and interview workers to ensure recording of transactions and compliance with laws and regulations.
- Examine whether the organization's objectives are reflected in its management activities, and whether employees understand the objectives.
- Confer with company officials about financial and regulatory matters.
- Establish tables of accounts and assign entries to proper accounts.
- Collect and analyze data to detect deficient controls, duplicated effort, extravagance, fraud, or non-compliance with laws, regulations, and management policies.
- Direct activities of personnel engaged in filing, recording, compiling, and transmitting financial records.
- Review data about material assets, net worth, liabilities, capital stock, surplus, income, or expenditures.
- Examine inventory to verify journal and ledger entries.
- Prepare, examine, or analyze accounting records, financial statements, or other financial reports to assess accuracy, completeness, and conformance to reporting and procedural standards.
Career Considerations
CPA Certification Requirements
Most advanced accounting positions in the US require Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure, which involves passing a rigorous four-part exam and meeting state-specific education and experience requirements.
Seasonal Workload Fluctuations
American accountants and auditors typically experience intense workload spikes during tax season (January-April) and year-end periods, often requiring extended hours and affecting work-life balance.
Technology Adaptation
The profession increasingly requires proficiency with advanced accounting software, data analytics tools, and automation technologies as American businesses digitize their financial operations.