Many financial accounting jobs exist working for the "Big Four," or the four largest professional accounting firms in the world. These Big Four companies include Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Ernst and Young, KPMG, and Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu. These corporations not only hire accountants and auditors, but practically all other types of financial accounting careers as well. In fact, college recruiters from these companies hire graduates of both bachelors degree and master's degree programs in accounting or similar fields to work in these financial industry jobs.
On the other hand, just as many of these financial accounting careers can be started internally with any number of medium- to large-sized companies and corporations. Internal finance departments hire accountants to work preparing financial statements, taxes, and perform many other duties related to the financial aspects of a company. For example, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of a company is the individual who manages risks and other aspects of a company's portfolio. In many cases, the CFO of a company, depending on how large, can make upwards of $200,000 or more annually.
Jobs as a Financial Auditor
One of the most common types of financial accounting jobs is that of the auditor. There are basically two types of finance jobs for an auditor as well: those who work internally and those who work externally. An internal auditor's job is to perform checks and controls of a company's financial operations They audit financial statements, make sure that accounting practices are aligned with governmental and industry policies, and evaluate the effectiveness of financial controls as well.
External auditors, however, perform many of the same duties, but the exception lies within the work setting. Most external auditors work for governmental agencies such as the IRS while many others also work for the Big Four companies of Ernst and Young and others.
Budget Analyst Jobs
The budget analyst is also one of the crucial financial jobs which a company must keep. A budget analyst organizes, researches, and works with all aspects of a company's budget and financial resources. The underlying goal for these financial accounting careers is to increase the potential of a company's overall profit by looking for ways to increase efficiency, remove unnecessary expenses, and allocate money to better resources. Budget analysts work for private companies, nonprofit organizations, as well as government departments.
Accountants
Perhaps the largest sector of the accounting and financial industry jobs lies with the accountants. Several different types of accountants exist, including public accountants, management accountants, and government accountants. Many people who become a Certified Public Accountant, or CPA, choose to work on their own in a private office, offering services in the areas of tax preparation, financial statement preparation, and consulting. On the other hand, a management accountant typically works for a corporation providing expert advice and help on budgeting and all other financial matters. The individuals who work in these financial industry jobs are even involved with strategic planning and product development in some cases.
Qualifying for Financial Accounting Jobs
All financial accounting careers involve a heavy course-load during college in business, accounting, and financial classes. Some people choose to obtain a bachelor's degree in accounting while others in a related field. Currently, a bachelor's degree is enough to get your foot in the door in many companies, including the Big Four, even though certifications following the completion of your degree may be needed. In addition, some companies look for those who have furthered their training with an MBA with an accounting concentration. Becoming a full Certified Public Accountant requires that you pass the four-part CPA exam by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
As you can see, many different types of finance jobs and financial accounting career exist. Whether you want to work in private practice as a CPA or for one of the Big Four accounting firms, finance jobs are going to continue to be needed by all types of businesses, corporations, and governmental agencies.
