Accountant or Auditor

Examine, analyze, and interpret accounting records to prepare financial statements, give advice, or audit and evaluate statements prepared by others. Install or advise on systems of recording costs or other financial and budgetary data.

On the job, you would:

Prepare detailed reports on audit findings.
Report to management about asset utilization and audit results, and recommend changes in operations and financial activities.
Collect and analyze data to detect deficient controls, duplicated effort, extravagance, fraud, or non-compliance with laws, regulations, and management policies.

Important Qualities

Analytical and critical-thinking skills. Accountants and auditors must be able to critically evaluate data, identify issues in documentation, and suggest solutions. For example, internal auditors might detect fraudulent use of funds, and public accountants may work to minimize tax liability.

Communication skills. Accountants and auditors must be able to listen to and discuss facts and concerns from clients, managers, and other stakeholders. They must also be able to discuss the results of their work both in meetings and in written reports.

Detail oriented. Accountants and auditors must pay attention to detail when compiling and examining documents.

Math skills. Accountants and auditors must be able to analyze, compare, and interpret facts and figures. They may use advanced math skills, such as calculus and statistical analysis, for these tasks.

Organizational skills. Strong organizational skills are important for accountants and auditors, who often work with a range of financial documents for a variety of clients.

Personality

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Characteristics of this Career
		97%	Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
		97%	Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
		92%	Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
		86%	Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
		79%	Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
		77%	Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
		77%	Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
		76%	Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
		73%	Self-Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
		72%	Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
		71%	Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
		67%	Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
		63%	Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
		60%	Social Orientation - Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
		56%	Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
		52%	Innovation - Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Strengths
		100%	Conventional - Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
		64%	Enterprising - Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Values of the Work Environment
		67%	Achievement - Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
		67%	Independence - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
		61%	Recognition - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
		61%	Relationships - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
		61%	Support - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
		58%	Working Conditions - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

Aptitude

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Abilities \| Cognitive, Physical, Personality
		74%	Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
		74%	Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
		74%	Mathematical Reasoning - The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
		74%	Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
		74%	Number Facility - The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
		72%	Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
		72%	Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
		70%	Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
		70%	Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
		70%	Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
		70%	Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
		61%	Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
		61%	Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
		56%	Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
		55%	Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
		52%	Fluency of Ideas - The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
		52%	Flexibility of Closure - The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Skills \| Cognitive, Physical, Personality
		58%	Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
		57%	Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
		57%	Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
		55%	Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
		55%	Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
		54%	Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
		52%	Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
		52%	Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.

Job Details

Responsibilities

Prepare financial documents, reports, or budgets.

Report information to managers or other personnel.

Advise others on business or operational matters.

Advise others on financial matters.

Collect evidence for legal proceedings.

Investigate legal issues.

Examine financial records.

Oversee business processes.

Discuss business strategies, practices, or policies with managers.

Examine financial records or processes.

Advise others on financial matters.

Verify accuracy of records.

Examine financial records or processes.

Examine financial records.

Examine financial records or processes.

Analyze business or financial data.

Analyze financial information.

Prepare financial documents.

Conduct financial or regulatory audits.

Examine financial records.

Prepare financial documents.

Verify accuracy of records.

Analyze business or financial data.

Report information to managers or other personnel.

Develop business or financial information systems.

Assess financial status of clients.

Evaluate effectiveness of personnel policies or practices.

Examine financial records.

Verify accuracy of financial information.

Calculate tax information.

Prepare financial documents, reports, or budgets.

Advise others on human resources topics.

Represent the interests of clients in legal proceedings.

Coordinate regulatory documentation activities.

Examine financial records or processes.

Analyze budgetary or accounting data.

Prepare operational budgets.

Verify accuracy of financial information.

Prepare financial documents, reports, or budgets.

Pay charges, fees, or taxes.

Examine financial records.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent
		100%	Electronic Mail - How often do you use electronic mail in this job?
		96%	Telephone - How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
		93%	Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
		93%	Face-to-Face Discussions - How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
		91%	Indoors, Environmentally Controlled - How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
		89%	Contact With Others - How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
		88%	Spend Time Sitting - How much does this job require sitting?
		83%	Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results - What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
		80%	Work With Work Group or Team - How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
		80%	Time Pressure - How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
		79%	Structured versus Unstructured Work - To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?
		76%	Freedom to Make Decisions - How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
		74%	Frequency of Decision Making - How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
		72%	Letters and Memos - How often does the job require written letters and memos?
		71%	Importance of Repeating Same Tasks - How important is repeating the same physical activities (e.g., key entry) or mental activities (e.g., checking entries in a ledger) over and over, without stopping, to performing this job?
		69%	Deal With External Customers - How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job?
		65%	Responsibility for Outcomes and Results - How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?
		62%	Coordinate or Lead Others - How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job?
		60%	Level of Competition - To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?
		51%	Degree of Automation - How automated is the job?
		72%	Duration of Typical Work Week - Number of hours typically worked in one week.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Tasks & Values
		87%	Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
		86%	Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
		86%	Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
		84%	Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
		82%	Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
		80%	Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
		79%	Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
		79%	Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
		78%	Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
		78%	Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
		76%	Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
		70%	Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
		69%	Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
		69%	Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
		68%	Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
		67%	Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
		66%	Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
		66%	Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
		65%	Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
		62%	Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
		61%	Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
		59%	Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
		58%	Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
		58%	Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
		58%	Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
		55%	Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
		55%	Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
		51%	Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

What Accountants and Auditors Do

Accountants and auditors examine financial statements for accuracy and conformance with laws.

Accountants and auditors prepare and examine financial records, identify potential areas of opportunity and risk, and provide solutions for businesses and individuals. They ensure that financial records are accurate, that financial and data risks are evaluated, and that taxes are paid properly. They also assess financial operations and work to help ensure that organizations run efficiently.

Duties

Accountants and auditors typically do the following:

Examine financial statements to ensure that they are accurate and comply with laws and regulations
Compute taxes owed, prepare tax returns, and ensure that taxes are paid properly and on time
Inspect account books and accounting systems for efficiency and use of accepted accounting procedures and identify potential risks for fraud
Organize, analyze, and maintain financial records
Assess financial operations, identify risks and challenges, and make best-practices recommendations to management
Suggest ways to reduce costs, enhance revenues, and improve profits

Accountants and auditors may use technology, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics process automation, to increase their productivity. Automating some routine tasks makes these workers more efficient by allowing them to focus on analysis and other high-level responsibilities.

In addition to examining and preparing financial documents, accountants and auditors must explain their findings. This includes preparing written reports and meeting face-to-face with organization managers and individual clients.

Many accountants and auditors specialize, depending on their employer. Some work for organizations that specialize in assurance services (improving the quality or context of information for decision makers) or risk management (determining the probability of a misstatement on financial documents). Other organizations specialize in specific industries, such as finance, insurance, or healthcare.

The following are examples of types of accountants and auditors:

Government accountants maintain and examine the records of government agencies and audit private businesses and individuals whose activities are subject to government regulations or taxation. Accountants employed by federal, state, and local governments ensure that revenues are received and spent according to laws and regulations. Their responsibilities include auditing, financial reporting, and management accounting.

Management accountants are also called cost, corporate, industrial, managerial, or private accountants. They combine accounting and financial information to guide business decision making. They also understand financial and nonfinancial data and how to integrate information. The information that management accountants prepare is intended for internal use by business managers, not for the public.

Management accountants often prepare budgets and evaluate performance. They also may help organizations plan the cost of doing business. Some work with financial managers on asset management, which involves planning and selecting financial investments such as stocks, bonds, and real estate.

Public accountants have a broad range of accounting, auditing, tax, and consulting tasks. Their clients include corporations, governments, individuals, and nonprofits.

Public accountants work with financial documents that clients are required by law to disclose, such as tax forms and financial statements that corporations must provide to current and potential investors. Some public accountants concentrate on tax matters, advising corporations about the tax advantages of certain business decisions or preparing individual income tax returns.

Other public accountants specialize in forensic accounting, investigating financial crimes such as securities fraud and embezzlement, bankruptcies and contract disputes, and other complex and potentially criminal financial transactions. Forensic accountants combine their knowledge of accounting and finance with law and investigative techniques to determine if an activity is illegal. Many forensic accountants work closely with law enforcement personnel and lawyers during investigations and often appear as expert witnesses during trials.

Still others work with individuals, advising them on important personal financial matters. These public accountants combine their expertise in data management, economics, financial planning, and tax law to develop strategies for their clients. Advisory services cover topics including cash flow, insurance, investment, retirement, and wealth transfer planning to help clients meet financial goals, such as retirement, paying for a child’s education, or buying a home.

Public accountants, many of whom are Certified Public Accountants (CPAs), generally have their own businesses or work for public accounting firms. Publicly traded companies are required to have CPAs sign documents they submit to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including annual and quarterly reports.

External auditors check for proper management of an organization’s funds, sources of revenue, and internal controls, such as financial data preparation or managing risks to cybersecurity or the supply chain. They are employed by an outside organization, rather than the one they are auditing. They review clients’ financial statements and inform authorities, investors, and regulators that the statements have been correctly prepared and reported with no material misstatements.

Information technology (IT) auditors review controls for their organization’s IT systems to ensure that both financial and nonfinancial data come from a reliable source.

Internal auditors have duties that are similar to external auditors, but these workers are employed by the organization they are auditing. They identify ways to improve the processes for finding and eliminating waste, fraud, and other financial risks to the organization. The practice of internal auditing is not regulated, but the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) provides generally accepted standards.

Work Environment

Accountants and auditors held about 1.5 million jobs in 2022. The largest employers of accountants and auditors were as follows:

Accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll services	23%
Finance and insurance	8
Government	8
Management of companies and enterprises	6
Self-employed workers	4

Most accountants and auditors work in offices, but some work from home. Although accountants and auditors usually work in teams, some work alone. Accountants and auditors may travel to their clients’ places of business.

Work Schedules

Most accountants and auditors work full time. Longer periods of work are typical at certain times of the year, such as for quarterly audits or during tax season.

Getting Started

Education:

How to Become an Accountant or Auditor

Most accountants and auditors need at least a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field.

Accountants and auditors typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field to enter the occupation. Completing certification in a specific field of accounting, such as becoming a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA), may improve job prospects.

Education

Accountants and auditors typically need a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field, such as business. Some employers prefer to hire applicants who have a master’s degree, either in accounting or in business administration with a concentration in accounting.

Some universities and colleges offer specialized programs for a bachelor’s or master’s degree, such as in accounting, forensic accounting, internal auditing, or tax accounting. In some cases, those with an associate’s degree, as well as bookkeepers, accounting, and auditing clerks who meet the education and experience requirements set by their employers, may get junior accounting positions and advance by showing their accounting skills on the job.

Students may gain practical experience through internships with public accounting or business firms.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Any accountant who files a report with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is required to be a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Other accountants choose to become a CPA to enhance their job prospects or to gain clients. Employers may pay the costs associated with the CPA exam.

CPAs are licensed by their state’s Board of Accountancy. Becoming a CPA requires passing a national exam and meeting other state requirements. All states require CPA candidates to complete 150 semester hours of college coursework to be licensed, which is 30 hours more than the usual 4-year bachelor’s degree. Many schools offer a 5-year combined bachelor’s and master’s degree to meet the 150-hour requirement, but a master’s degree is not required.

A few states allow a number of years of public accounting experience to substitute for a college degree.

All states use the four-part Uniform CPA Examination from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Candidates do not have to pass all four parts at once, but most states require that candidates pass all four parts within 18 months of passing their first part.

All states require CPAs to take continuing education courses, including ethics, to maintain their license.

Certification provides an advantage in the job market because it shows professional competence in a specialized field of accounting and auditing. Accountants and auditors seek certifications from a variety of professional societies. Some of the most common certifications are listed below:

The AICPA offers several designations. For accountants with a CPA, the AICPA offers the Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV), Certified Financial Forensics (CFF), Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP), and Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) certifications. All of these credentials require experience in the related area, continuing education, and passing an exam.

AICPA and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) developed the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designation as an internationally recognized professional credential. Candidates must complete a program, pass an exam, and meet a requirement for work experience.

The Association of Government Accountants (AGA) offers the Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) credential to accountants or auditors working with federal, state, or local government. To earn this certification, candidates must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, pass examinations, and have professional-level experience in government financial management. To keep the certification, CGFMs must complete continuing professional education.

The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) offers the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) credential to graduates from accredited colleges and universities who have work experience as internal auditors and have passed an exam. The IIA also offers the Certified in Control Self-Assessment (CCSA), Certified Government Auditing Professional (CGAP), Certified Financial Services Auditor (CFSA), and Certification in Risk Management Assurance (CRMA) to those who pass the exams and meet educational and experience requirements.

The Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) offers the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) to applicants who complete a bachelor’s degree. Applicants must have work experience in management accounting, pass an exam, agree to meet continuing education requirements, and comply with standards of professional conduct.

ISACA offers the Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) to candidates who pass an exam and have work experience auditing information systems. Information systems experience, financial or operational auditing experience, or related college credit hours may be substituted for some of the experience required in information systems auditing, control, or security.

Advancement

Some top executives and financial managers have a background in accounting, internal auditing, or finance.

Entry-level public accountants may advance to senior positions as they gain experience and take on more responsibility. Those who excel may become supervisors, managers, or partners; open their own public accounting firm; or transfer to executive positions in management accounting or internal auditing in private firms.

Management accountants often start as cost accountants, junior internal auditors, or trainees for other accounting positions. As they rise through the organization, they may advance to become accounting managers, budget directors, chief cost accountants, or managers of internal auditing. Some become controllers, treasurers, financial vice presidents, chief financial officers, or corporation presidents.

Public accountants, management accountants, and internal auditors may move from one type of accounting and auditing to another. Public accountants often move into management accounting or internal auditing. Management accountants may become internal auditors, and internal auditors may become management accountants. However, it is less common for management accountants or internal auditors to move into public accounting.

Job Outlook

Employment of accountants and auditors is projected to grow 4 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

About 126,500 openings for accountants and auditors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

Globalization, a growing economy, and a complex tax and regulatory environment are expected to continue leading the strong demand for accountants and auditors.

In general, employment growth of accountants and auditors is expected to be closely tied to the health of the overall economy. As the economy grows, these workers will continue being needed to prepare and examine financial records. In addition, as more companies go public, there will be greater need for public accountants to handle the legally required financial documentation.

The continued globalization of business may lead to increased demand for accounting expertise and services related to international trade and international mergers and acquisitions.

Technological change is expected to affect the role of accountants over the projections decade. Some routine accounting tasks may be automated as platforms such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and blockchain become more widespread. Although it will increase accountants' efficiency, this change is not expected to reduce overall demand. The automation of routine tasks, such as data entry, will instead make accountants' advisory and analytical duties more prominent.

Contacts for More Information

For more information about accredited accounting programs, visit

AACSB

For more information about the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license, the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA), and other designations, visit

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)

For information about the Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) designation, visit

Association of Government Accountants (AGA)

For more information about management accounting and the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation, visit

Institute of Management Accountants

For more information about internal auditing and the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) designation, visit

The Institute of Internal Auditors

For more information about information systems auditing and the Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) designation, visit

ISACA

For more information about certifications in accounting, visit

Global Academy of Finance and Management

Occupational Requirements Survey

For a profile highlighting selected BLS data on occupational requirements, see

Accountants and auditors (PDF)

Similar Occupations

This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of accountants and auditors.

Occupation	Job Duties	Entry-Level Education	Median Annual Pay, May 2022
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks	Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks produce financial records for organizations and check financial records for accuracy.	Some college, no degree	$45,860
Budget Analysts	Budget analysts help public and private organizations plan their finances.	Bachelor's degree	$82,260
Cost Estimators	Cost estimators collect and analyze data in order to assess the time, money, materials, and labor required to make a product or provide a service.	Bachelor's degree	$71,200
Financial Analysts	Financial analysts guide businesses and individuals in decisions about expending money to attain profit.	Bachelor's degree	$96,220
Financial Managers	Financial managers create financial reports, direct investment activities, and develop plans for the long-term financial goals of their organization.	Bachelor's degree	$139,790
Management Analysts	Management analysts recommend ways to improve an organization’s efficiency.	Bachelor's degree	$95,290
Personal Financial Advisors	Personal financial advisors provide advice to help individuals manage their money and plan for their financial future.	Bachelor's degree	$95,390
Postsecondary Teachers	Postsecondary teachers instruct students in a variety of academic subjects beyond the high school level.	See How to Become One	$80,840
Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents	Tax examiners and collectors, and revenue agents determine how much is owed in taxes and collect tax from individuals and businesses on behalf of the government.	Bachelor's degree	$57,950
Top Executives	Top executives plan strategies and policies to ensure that an organization meets its goals.	Bachelor's degree	$100,090

Accountant or Auditor

What they do:

On the job, you would:

Important Qualities

Personality

Characteristics of this Career

Strengths

Values of the Work Environment

Aptitude

Abilities | Cognitive, Physical, Personality

Skills | Cognitive, Physical, Personality

Job Details

Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent

Tasks & Values

What Accountants and Auditors Do

Duties

Work Environment

Work Schedules

Getting Started

How to Become an Accountant or Auditor

Education

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Advancement

Job Outlook

Employment

Contacts for More Information

Occupational Requirements Survey

Similar Occupations