The need for qualified accountants is expected to rise in the coming years as companies squeezed by the recession seek to trim the waste in their organizations. Add to this the need to fully exploit every asset in hopes of boosting income and profits, and the demand for “bean counters” will become more acute than ever.
In fact, companies from Fortune 500s to dot.com startups will issue the clarion call for skilled accountants, auditors, and clerks to analyze operations and finances, and to take steps to tighten controls and accountability in these and other areas. Accountants will be needed in both private government sectors as the recession continues unabated in the coming years.
So which areas of accounting will offer the most job opportunities?
Forensic accounting is one sector that will be hot in the 21st century. As a forensic accountant, you’ll need a degree in accounting and pass licensing exams to earn the designation of CPA (Certified Public Accountant). You may also want to enter the subfield of CFEs (Certified Fraud Examiner), which will require additional testing and licensing. Here, you’ll need to take courses in taxation, fraud and litigation.
So far, just two US universities offer an Executive Masters Degree in Forensic Accounting specifically designed for executives. They include the University of Charleston, in West Virginia and Florida Atlantic University.
If your interests lean toward IT, you may want to look into technology accounting. This industry will need CPAs and clerks to create and fully utilize the growing number of accounting software packages being developed. Then there’s environmental accounting, in which companies and government agencies draw on the talents of CPAs and auditing clerks to make sure they comply with the burgeoning regulations of environmental law.
For an added perspective, check out this video:
Got any thoughts on new accounting careers? Feel free to share them in the comments section.
Alex A. Kecskes has written hundreds of published articles on health/fitness, "green" issues, TV/film entertainment, restaurant reviews and many other topics. As a former Andy/Belding/One Show ad agency copywriter, he also writes web content, ads, brochures, sales letters, mailers and scripts for national B2B and B2C clients. Please see more of his blogs and view additional job postings on Nexxt.
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