Considering a career in accounting but not sure where to start? There are numerous professional paths to choose from, based on your finance, time constraints, and desired job destination.
In this blog, we’ll go through some of your opportunities for deciding on a professional path in accounting.
What does an Accountant do?
Accountants assist individuals and businesses in managing their finances, tax credits, and obligations, as well as providing compliance and record-keeping consultation. Management accountants, tax accountants, trust accountants, systems accountants, fund accountants, and company accountants are some of the specialisations available to accountants.
Average Annual Salary: AUD 59,532 (PayScale)
Job Title: Financial Accountant, Accountant, Accountant Assistant, Accounting Consultant, Bookkeeper, Accounting Clerk, Auditor, Budget Analyst, etc.
Tasks & duties:
- Examine the individual’s or company’s revenue and expenses
- Prepare financial statements
- Create budgets and keep them up to date
- Advise on business strategies, structures, and accounting systems
- Prepare reports that show how your company complies with regulatory standards
- Conduct audits, financial investigations, and insolvency management
- In conjunction with key stakeholders and in accordance with regulatory requirements, develop accounting policies
- Manage cash flow
And many more tasks and duties depending on the employer’s requirements.
Getting a degree in Accounting
So, you’ve got an analytical mind, are well-organised, pay close attention to detail, enjoy working with people and statistics. It’s time to enhance your skills by taking a degree in Accounting. Studying a Bachelor of Accounting will equip you with academic and realistic industry knowledge while opening avenue for a diverse variety of job opportunities. In specific, Accounting could be your ticket to a career in fashion, politics, sports, or business, depending on your interests.
Other pathways to Accounting career
That being said, getting a bachelor degree is not the only option to get yourself prepared for the career. You can also pursue Vocational Education and Training (VET) Courses. One of the benefits of vocational courses over bachelor degrees is that you can earn nationally-recognised qualifications in a quicker and more affordable way. You can then build on these qualifications to advance your career depending on your capacity of time and finance.
Below are Accounting Vocational Courses you can start with:
Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping
Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping reflects the job roles of workers in the accounting industry, including BAS Agents and contract bookkeepers; and of those employees performing bookkeeping tasks for organisations in a range of industries. It includes preparing and lodging business and instalment activity statements, and providing advice or dealing with the Commissioner on behalf of a taxpayer in relation to activity statements. Individuals in these roles apply theoretical and specialist knowledge and skills to work autonomously, and exercise judgement in completing routine and non-routine activities.
Potential Careers:
- Trainee Accountants
- BAS Agents
- Bookkeeper
- Accounts Receivable and Payable Clerks
- Insurance & Payroll Clerks
Diploma of Accounting
Diploma of Accounting reflects professional accounting job roles in financial services and other industries, including tax agents, accounts payable and accounts receivable officers, payroll service providers, and employees performing a range of accounting tasks for organisations in a range of industries. Individuals in these roles apply solutions to a range of often complex problems, and analyse and evaluate information from a variety of sources. They apply initiative to plan, coordinate and evaluate their own work and provide guidance to others within defined guidelines.
Potential Careers:
- Accounts Officer
- Bookkeeping Assistant
- Business Analyst
- Accounts Payable & Receivable Officer
- Tax Agent Services
- Payroll Service Providers
Advanced Diploma of Accounting
Advanced Diploma of Accounting gives professional recognition to students seeking work such as tax agents, accounts managers and business analysts; and to employees performing a range of accounts management tasks for organisations in a range of industries. At this level individual are expected to apply theoretical and technical skills in a range of situations and to display initiative and judgement in planning activities. They have autonomy in performing complex operations and can be responsible for planning, coordinating and evaluating the work of others within broad but generally well-defined parameters.
Potential Careers:
- Financial Services Manager
- Bookkeeper/Accountant
- Accounting Team Supervisor
- Registered Tax Agent
If you need help with choosing your courses and where to start your career path, book a FREE consultation today with our expert team to have a chat!
