I have considered entering Indian River State College’s accounting program. In order to ensure this career path is right for me, I have researched the accounting field in an effort to learn more about it before making my final decision. In my report, I examine the requirements, job outlook, duties, and income related to an accounting career. 

           The field of accounting can be broken down into four general categories: bookkeeping, accounting clerk, accountant, and Certified Public Accountant. Although the jobs are similar, each category requires a different level of schooling and can expect a different level of responsibility and salary. (Avercamp, 2014).

  Education Requirements 

•  Bookkeepers and Accounting Clerks may enter the workforce with as little as a high school diploma or as much as a two-year associate's degree in accounting. David Bybee, president of the National Bookkeepers Association, in his interview with U.S. News (2015) stated, "Training is more of a keyword than education." 
•  Accountants need a minimum of a two-year associate's degree in accounting, but a four-year bachelor's degree is looked upon much more favorably by prospective employers, and many employers prefer a master's degree. (Avercamp, 2014). 
•  Certified Public Accountants require the equivalent of five years of schooling followed by the Certified Public Accounting exam and must fulfill an ethics requirement. This can be done through a class or through an ethics test.(U.S. News, 2015). 

 Duties 

• Bookkeepers and accounting clerks handle many of the same duties, which may include routine financial transactions, payroll, expenditures, billing, financial reports, purchases, etc. The tasks vary depending upon the expectations of the employer. (Avercamp, 2014). 
• Accountants not only perform the duties of bookkeepers and accounting clerks but also prepare taxes, audit financial records, and act as financial consultants. (U.S. News, 2015). 
• Certified Public Accountants work for corporations, the government, or for individuals. They perform financial audits, prepare taxes, and maintain and evaluate financial documents that must be disclosed by law. (U.S. Department of Labor, 2014). 

 Salary

           Expected Salary will vary depending on location and job responsibilities, but the Accounting Coach, Harold Avercamp (2014) lists the following rates as average. 

• Bookkeepers- $18,000- $40,000+ 
• Accounting Clerks- $18,000- $40,000+ 
• Accountants- $40,000- $80,000 
• Certified Public accountants- $50,000-$100,000+ 

 Job Prospects 

           According to the U.S. Department of Labor (2015), "There has been an increased focus on accounting in response to corporate scandals and recent financial crises." The prospects for jobs in the accounting field over the next ten years are excellent. 


       After completing my research on accounting as a possible career, I have decided that it is a good choice for me. I learned that the educational requirements are within the perimeters that I had set for myself. I enjoy working with numbers, and I believe I would be satisfied with an accounting career. I have a good chance of finding a well paying position in the local area and believe that an accounting career has a great deal to offer. 

                                                                  References 
        
        Avercamp, H. (2014, January 1). Accounting Topics Covered | AccountingCoach. Retrieved   
                 from http://www.accountingcoach.com/accounting-topics
 
         Bratcher, E. (2015, January 1). Best Business Jobs- Accountant. Retrieved from          
                 http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/accountant

 U.S.  Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2011). Occupational outlook handbook,      

          2010-11. Retrieved from http://www.bls.gov/oco/cg.