.Understanding the Professional Role of an Accountant Accountants perform very important functions in corporate, government and personal financial matters. Most people are very familiar with accountants during tax season, but they may not be familiar with the many other duties accountants may have. While it is true that tax season is often the busiest time of year for accountants, they have a variety of other responsibilities that keep them busy all year long. Individuals who are good at number-crunching and who have an interest in financial matters may be a good match for accounting careers. Most accounting jobs require at least an associate's degree in finance, while higher-paying positions typically require a bachelor's degree or a master's degree. What Do Accountants Do? The daily responsibilities of an accountant may vary significantly, depending on where they work and what level of education they have. However, most accountants perform the primary task of examining and preparing financial records. Additional responsibilities may include some or all of the following: Encyclopedia 1080 0 seconds of 1 minute, 4 seconds Volume 0% Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts Keyboard Shortcuts Play/Pause SPACE Increase Volume ? Decrease Volume ? Seek Forward ? Seek Backward ? Captions On/Off c Fullscreen/Exit Fullscreen f Mute/Unmute m Decrease Caption Size - Increase Caption Size + or = Seek % 0-9 Live 00:00 01:04 01:04 Reducing costs and suggesting ways to improve profits and financial efficiency Examining financial statements for accuracy Performing overviews of financial operations to identify areas that need improvement Organizing and storing financial documents Ensuring that taxes are properly filed and paid on time Keeping all accounting systems and books up-to-date Making sure that all financial records are in compliance with local and federal regulations Auditing financial systems and documents Accountants are expected to consistently review corporate or business financial systems and records. Regular reviews help to ensure that the business or organization is being financially responsible and operating within the confines of the law. What Level of Education Is Necessary to Become an Accountant? Most employers require their accountants to have at least an associate's degree. Robert Half International states that the most frequently requested certification required by employers is a Certified Public Accountants certificate (CPA). In order to obtain a CPA, individuals must take a national exam and receive a license from the board of accountancy in the state where they reside. It is important for individuals who are interested in receiving a CPA to check the requirements for their state. Most states require CPAs to receive a certain amount of continuing education on an annual basis in order to keep their license active
