Hot topics for both consumers and webmarketers on WebmasterRadio.FM
Every Wednesday, 5PM Eastern.
Welcome to Accounting Jobs Tips
Hi, I'm Marie Buckner, one of the hundreds of writers here at LifeTips.com. Enjoy these 130 Accounting Jobs Tips! If you’re a business, why not hire the expert writers at LifeTips? And if you’re a writer, apply for freelance writing gigs.
Controller Job Description
The Controller position is complex, diversified, and varies according to industry and firm size. Here is a sample of a Controller job description:
Directs budget and cost controls.
Financial analysis, accounting practices and reports.
Analyzes and interprets financial data and recommends changes to improve systems and financial performance.
In small firms, the controller may:
Maintain, analyze, summarize and general ledger accounts,
Prepare or supervise preparation of financial statements
Coordinate year end audits
Supervises exempt and non-exempt accounting staff
Presents financial information to senior management and/or Board of Directors.
Works on special projects as needed.
Maintains vendor and customer relations.
Develops chart of accounts.
Educationally, a CPA is required. Must have at least seven years relevant work experience. Must be current with regulations and compliance issues. Strong supervisory skills required.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Part Time Jobs for Accounting Majors
AccountPros Tip: If you're over 18 and a college student, consider taking on a contract assignment at a local accounting firm while your home during college breaks. Positions in the administrative offices of any industry will serve well for an accounting major. Every administrative office has accounting to do and a part time accounting job can serve as great experience for a student majoring in accounting. Work in the accounting office as anything from a file clerk to accounting assistant. You can review transactions, recordings, and only gain knowledge.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Become a Tax Consultant
To become a tax consultant, there are a variety of items that can be done along your path to success. They are:
Get a solid foundation and education in the accounting field. Once this education is obtained, start working in a position that involves taxes of some sort. The best recommendation would be to work in public accounting. This way potential tax consultants would be exposed to a variety of industries, each having their own idiosyncrasies. These differences lead to insight and knowledge. By preparing taxes for a variety of clients, one obtains a wider experience base.
Keep current, or learn, the current tax laws regarding the area you are interested in. Analyze financial information and read the tax laws that apply to a particular account.
Talk with current tax consultants about your interest. Experienced individuals usually like to talk about their craft with anyone who is interested.
Read trade journals and books on tax consulting. You can never have too much knowledge.
Get online and read all you can about tax consulting. Find out what it takes, what skills, personality traits, and knowledge base lead to success. Join forum groups, and other networking groups. Many career sites have chat rooms. Find one and participate, if desired.
These are just a few ideas to start you on your path to becoming a tax consultant. Many tax consultants have professional designations, even doctorals. Be prepared to work for this position. The tax-consulting field is a great field to become a part of. Persevere, work, and reap the benefits. Good luck!
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Accounts Payable Resume
AccountPros Tip: An accounts payable job can range the entire gamut from an accounts payable clerk to accounts payable manager. They each have their own job descriptions and responsibilities. An accounts payable job is concerned with the outflow of company cash, dealing with invoices and vendors, and maintaining the liability account of accounts payable. Be sure that your resume fully represents your accounts payable experience, especially if you are looking to move up in title. An Accounts Payable Manager usually oversees the Accounts Payable team. They provide supervision and guidance for the accounts payable team. The A/P Accountant ultimately reports to the Manager. Other duties and responsibilities the Accounts Payable Manager can perform include:
Establish company A/P guidelines
Approve payment vouchers
Oversee accounting software program
Develop A/P chart of accounts
Approve new vendors
Communicate with management regarding purchasing and A/P issues
Hires, trains, terminates A/P personnel
Approves or denies A/P personnel requests such as vacation time, sick time, etc.
Updates A/P job descriptions
Writes A/P manual
Ascertains A/P budget compliance
Signs A/P checks
Conducts A/P training
Coordinates monthly closing procedures
Manage invoice documentation retention
Schedules and conducts meetings as needed.
The A/P Manager requires supervisory skills, advanced A/P experience, and advanced knowledge of industry standards. They usually hold an advanced degree in accounting.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Incorrect Interview Questions & Answers
Amid the interview jitters, applicants say many things they wish they could take back. Some comments make a bad impression on the interviewer. Here are some ways not to answer questions.
Why do you want to move to [job location]? When asked why you want to move to Philadelphia for the job while you currently live in Detroit, do not say because you're a huge Flyer fan. Even though this may be true, interviewers want to hear you will relocate because you find their opportunity challenging and a great career move.
What are your weaknesses? When asked what your weaknesses are, do not answer by mentioning one that cannot be turned around into a benefit for you. For instance, stating you have a quick temper and fly off the handle easily cannot be turned around to your benefit. Stating you need more patience with people who do not live up to their potential is turned around to your benefit. Think of weaknesses in this light and you will benefit. Always think of the positive side to any weakness you may have.
Why do you want the position? When asked why you would want the position, do not answer because it pays well. That may be true, but employers will look at this answer as meaning you are just in it for the paycheck. They want to know that you will benefit the company, not just yourself.
Why are you looking for a new job? Whenever you are asked about former employers, never ever talk negatively about them. This reflects negatively on you. Every position and former employer has some positive to talk about. Your former employer may have been a jerk, but you learned a lot about your field while employed there.
As far as questions go, never ask about the salary on the first interview unless your interviewer brings it up. Do not ask if there is a lot of overtime. Ask what the average work week consists of. By stating it that way, your interviewer can describe the hours in a roundabout way. Learning what to say and not to say during your interview will prove to your benefit.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
The CPA Exam
AccountPros Tip: Students must apply for and receive a Notice To Schedule(NTS) to sit for the CPA Exam. CPA Applicants receive the NTS through the NASBA (National Association of State Boards of Accountancy) at www.nasba.org. After receiving the NTS, CPA applicants must schedule sitting for the CPA Exam. It is recommended that you schedule a CPA exam sitting at least 45 days prior to the exam date. The highest level of certification for an accounting position is found in the CPA - Certified Public Accountant. This accounting position involves expressing opinions on company financial statements, providing various consulting services, preparing financial statements, maintaining and summarizing financial data, and tax consulting/preparation - among other duties for this accounting position.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Accounts Receivable Job Description
All accounts receivable jobs deal with only one line item of the financial statements - accounts receivable.
The clerical accounts receivable job is known as the Accounts Receivable Clerk. This position generally involves assisting with accounting projects as needed; coding accounts receivable, sorting and posting incoming customer checks; resolving customer claims; researching differences between invoices and cash received (may involve customer claims); making collection calls; maintaining Accounts Receivable aging report; comparing aging report totals to credit limits; sort and file documents as needed; making bank deposits; posting credit memos; preparing daily cash reports; updating the sales ledger; updating customer accounts; preparing new accounts receivable accounts - if directed; assist with month-end accounts receivable closing. The Accounts Receivable Clerk is responsible for posting to various accounting records such as ledgers, journals, and subsidiary ledger to maintain the accounts receivable account.
Also, the Accounts Receivable Clerk must have good keyboard skills, strong organizational skills, strong analytical skills, and knowledge of accounting software programs.
The Accounts Receivable Accountant usually supervises the Accounts Receivable Clerk. This position also prepares financial statements, journal entries: opening, adjusting, and closing;
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
CPA Firms & Licensing
AccountPros Tip: Of all the positions within the public accounting field, the most esteemed accountant job is known as the Certified Public Accountant. Otherwise known as a CPA, this individual passes a rigorous professional examination and must meet licensing requirements.
CPA Requirements differ according to individual State Boards of Accountancy. Some states require working in CPA firms for a specific time period. Some states give options such as governmental agencies, nonprofit, and/or CPA firms. Usually they require some auditing experience be obtained.
In short, all individuals passing the CPA exam must work in certain industries for a specific time in order to apply for a CPA license.
Check with your local State Board of Accountancy for specifics. If you are uncertain about your State Board of Accountancy website address, visit NASBA for a link.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Tax Accounting
Tax accounting is defined as the field of accounting that considers the tax consequences and implications of every transaction upon the company's operations. Tax accounting records transactions in compliance with current IRS, local and state tax laws.
Tax accounting includes preparing, amending, and filing corporate and required tax returns on federal, state, and local levels. It involves a variety of fields such as sales & use, payroll, income, franchise, royalties, etc.
Individuals involved in the tax accounting field must stay current with the federal, state, and local tax issues that affect the company. They must understand the legal ramifications of company transactions.
Tax accounting is considered upper level accounting since one must first have a firm understanding of the basic accounting functions.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
How to Interview & Techniques
Be yourself. This will come through during the interview. It does not mean being slack and disrespectful of your interviewer. It simply means being comfortable with yourself and experience. You know your qualifications and what you can provide your potential employer. Be confident of this and present it modestly.
Some other techniques to use during your interview are:
Prepare properly; be composed; perform research; arrive 15 minutes beforehand; gain composure;
Dress appropriately & conservatively. Men should wear a suit, polished shoes, pastel shirt, tie, black socks. Women should wear a suit or pant suit,
Wait to be asked to sit once in interview room; extend your hand, introduce yourself, make eye contact, smile; listen attentively, and maintain good posture.
DON'T: play with hair, chew gum, don't fidget or slouchbite nails; use modulated speech and tone - not too soft, don't slur words, talk clearly; have a list of questions to ask; bring a reference list; bring a copy of your resume.
Knowing the proper interview techniques will only benefit you. Good luck!
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Accounts Payable Job Description
An Accounts Payable Job Description differs according to the job industry and job responsibilities. Most Accounts Payable jobs, however, involve working with vendor accounts, paying bills, maintaining ledger accounts, and properly recording transactions. All positions involve attention to detail, good keyboard skills, software aptitude, and an aptitude for figure work. All Accounts Payable jobs deal with only one line item of the financial statements...accounts payable.
The Accounts Payable Accountant supervises the Accounts Payable Clerk. This position is responsible for reconciling the general ledger to the subledger of A/P. They make adjusting entries, as necessary. Other duties performed by the Accounts Payable Accountant may include:
Analyzing and preparing A/P aging report
Auditing vendor accounts for correctness
Developing subledger A/P accounts, if needed
Reporting to A/P Manager
Preparing A/P reports as needed
Handle collection calls
Liaison between company and vendors
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Sarbanes-Oxley Training Online
With Sarbanes-Oxley compliance so important nowadays, there are a multitude of online sites offering training and certification. What could be more convenient than sitting in front of your computer and learning? No traffic jams, commuting, etc.
Simply type in SOX training into your search engine and get a multitude of results.
One recommended training site is known as the 'official training and certification' in the SOX area. This site is titled 'SOX Institute.org.' They are registered with the NASBA (National Association of State Boards of Accountancy) for providing CPE. Students can obtain either a basic level SOX certification, or an advanced.
Visit them online for more information on how they help with your online training needs.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Accounting & Finance Staffing Agencies
Staffing for the accounting and finance field can be done either in-house or by outsourcing. Outsourcing means turning over the main recruiting responsibilities to a staffing agency or company. This frees up management's time and expense, in many cases.
Even though many accounting and finance staffing firms have websites where applicants can, and should, submit their resumes, an in-house interview will be needed. This interview will be with a recruiter who will go over your resume with you. The recruiter will learn more about you, including your attitude, personality, demeanor, appearance, and skillset. While going over your resume with you, the recruiter will ask pertinent questions to gain access into why they need to have you as a member of their applicant database.
While in your interview with the staffing agency’s recruiter, have a positive attitude. Speak clearly in moderate tones. Present your qualifications and background confidently. State how you have helped companies in the past and how you can do that in the future.
Accounting and finance staffing agencies can be local, regional, national, or international. Local ones can usually be found listed in your local newspaper, job boards, university job placement centers, unemployment offices, and via networking. Some of these may offer other placements in addition to accounting and finance.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Accounting Manager
This accounting manager position involves supervising the accounting department staff. Other duties include: overseeing accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll functions and positions; performing reconciliations on general ledger accounts as needed; preparing forecasts; monitoring variances; record management; cash flow management and reporting; directing preparation of all internal and external reporting functions; reviewing and verifying journal entries; reviewing financial statements; serving as liaison with external and internal auditors; and supervising the clerical staff and Staff Accountants. This position may involve preparing international financial statements, depending on the individual firm involved.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Become a Certified Financial Planner
Becoming a certified financial planner involves passing the CFP exam and meeting other required guidelines. There is a process to follow to sit for the CFP Exam. It consists of meeting the requirement of having a minimum of three years work experience in the financial planning process prior to obtaining the designation.
There are educational qualifications that must be met to sit for the CFP Exam. Applicants must complete a CFP educational program such as undergraduate, graduate, and/or certificate programs. Studies could be completed via online or classroom instructions. Application for the CFP Exam must be done 7 weeks prior to exam date.
