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Introducing Financial Accounting - CCSN Computer Graphics Program

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wiL27041_ch01_002-047.indd Page 7 10/4/10 7:12:18 PM user-f499 /Volumes/204/MHBR211/wiL27041_disk1of1/0073527041/wiL27041_pagefiles<br />

The majority of accounting opportunities are in<br />

private accounting, which are employees working<br />

for businesses, as shown in Exhibit 1.4. Public accounting<br />

offers the next largest number of opportunities,<br />

which involve services such as auditing and<br />

tax advice to a vast range of businesses. Still other<br />

opportunities exist in government and not-for-profit<br />

agencies, including business regulation and investigation<br />

of law violations.<br />

<strong>Accounting</strong> specialists are highly regarded and<br />

Chapter 1 <strong>Introducing</strong> <strong>Financial</strong> <strong>Accounting</strong> 7<br />

Private<br />

accounting<br />

60%<br />

Government,<br />

not-for-profit and<br />

education 16%<br />

Public<br />

accounting<br />

24%<br />

their professional standing is often denoted by a certificate. Certified public accountants (CPAs)<br />

must meet education and experience requirements, pass an examination, and exhibit ethical<br />

character. Many accounting specialists hold certificates in addition to or instead of the CPA.<br />

Two of the most common are the certificate in management accounting (CMA) and the certified<br />

internal auditor (CIA). Employers also look for specialists with designations such as certified<br />

book keeper (CB), certified payroll professional (CPP), personal financial specialist (PFS), certified<br />

fraud examiner (CFE), and certified forensic accountant (CrFA).<br />

Individuals with accounting knowledge are always in demand as they can help with financial<br />

analysis, strategic planning, e-commerce, product feasibility analysis, information technology,<br />

and financial management. Benefit packages can include flexible work schedules, telecommuting<br />

options, career path alternatives, casual work environ ments, extended vacation time, and<br />

child and elder care.<br />

Demand for accounting specialists is strong. Exhibit 1.5 reports average annual salaries for<br />

several accounting positions. Salary variation depends on location, company size, professional<br />

designation, experience, and other factors. For example, salaries for chief financial officers<br />

(CFO) range from under $75,000 to more than $1 million per year. Likewise, salaries for bookkeepers<br />

range from under $30,000 to more than $80,000.<br />

Field Title (experience) 2009 Salary 2014 Estimate*<br />

Public <strong>Accounting</strong> Partner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $191,000 $211,000<br />

Manager (6 – 8 years) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94,500 104,000<br />

Senior (3 – 5 years) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72,000 79,500<br />

Junior (0 – 2 years) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51,500 57,000<br />

Private <strong>Accounting</strong> CFO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232,000 256,000<br />

Controller/Treasurer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147,500 163,000<br />

Manager (6 – 8 years) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87,500 96,500<br />

Senior (3 – 5 years) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72,500 80,000<br />

Junior (0 – 2 years) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49,000 54,000<br />

Recordkeeping Full-charge bookkeeper . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57,500 63,500<br />

Accounts manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51,000 56,500<br />

Payroll manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54,500 60,000<br />

<strong>Accounting</strong> clerk (0 – 2 years) . . . . . . . . . 37,500 41,500<br />

* Estimates assume a 2% compounded annual increase over current levels (rounded to nearest $500).<br />

Quick Check Answers — p. 28<br />

1. What is the purpose of accounting?<br />

2. What is the relation between accounting and recordkeeping?<br />

3. Identify some advantages of technology for accounting.<br />

4. Who are the internal and external users of accounting information?<br />

5. Identify at least five types of managers who are internal users of accounting information.<br />

6. What are internal controls and why are they important?<br />

EXHIBIT 1.4<br />

<strong>Accounting</strong> Jobs by Area<br />

Point: The largest accounting firms are<br />

Deloitte, Ernst & Young, KPMG, and PricewaterhouseCoopers.<br />

Point: Census Bureau (2009) reports<br />

that for workers 18 and over, higher<br />

education yields higher average pay:<br />

Advanced degree . . . . . . . . . . $80,977<br />

Bachelor’s degree. . . . . . . . . . 57,181<br />

High school degree . . . . . . . . 31,286<br />

No high school degree. . . . . . 21,484<br />

EXHIBIT 1.5<br />

<strong>Accounting</strong> Salaries for<br />

Selected Fields<br />

Point: For updated salary information:<br />

Abbott-Langer.com<br />

www.AICPA.org<br />

Kforce.com<br />

Quick Check is a chance to<br />

stop and reflect on key points.

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