The reality is, an accounting job is one of the most secure career paths you can take. Apart from the security essential workers in healthcare or government have, an accountant’s job security is continually found by the reality that every business benefits from an accountant – the right accountant that is! From payroll to billing, businesses run, grow, and overcome with the help of accounting services of all types.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were a total of over 1.34 million accounting jobs in the U.S. in 2016. And that figure is expected to rise by about 10% to 1.54 million by 2026. With career opportunities on the rise for accounting professionals, that too means salary increases for these in-demand jobs are on the rise too.
How can you benefit from finding a career in accounting that has great potential for success? A job that offers pay increase opportunities? A role that will lead you to bigger and better things in the coming years? We’ve outlined a few things we’ve seen candidates do that set them apart from all the other job applicants seeking a variety of accounting roles.
Become CPA certified.
It sort of goes without saying… graining your CPA credential can give your accounting career a huge jumpstart. This qualification is the only one that is most recognized across the country. So what’s all the hype around receiving your CPA credentials? The process of becoming a certified CPA is an arduous one. It requires a variety of specific education, exams, and experience.
Getting your CPA credentials will be an investment of both time and money upfront, but in the end, will it pay off? That’s up for you to determine but chances are, it will tenfold!
Keep your education going.
Your CPA education doesn’t just end when you receive those 3 letters after your name … C.P.A… To retain your CPA license, you will have to comply with the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) requirements laid down by your state board of accountancy. Completing your CPA CPE requirement allows you to stay alert to new laws and gives you the technical competence to provide the relevant advice and inputs to your clients or your employer.
Along with these ongoing requirements, there are a few key skills business’s hiring an accountant want to see:
- Mastery of Excel.
- Ongoing exposure to common accounting software like SAP, Microsoft Dynamics, and Quickbooks.
- Awareness of automated accounting tools new to the marketplace.
Add variety to your resume.
Far too frequently we see candidates applying for a job with experience in one industry or vertical of accounting services. Employers want job candidates who are experts in multiple areas of accounting and who certainly have experience in an even greater number of business skills. Try volunteering for a local nonprofit to help with their audit. Or keep the books for a friend running a small business that in an industry you’ve never explored before. Often times, the greater exposure you have the better candidate you are to employers.
Your job search starts here. With our AI technology and team of strong recruiters, finding a job with Engage is faster and more efficient. Whatever your career goals are? We know how to help make them happen.
If you’re seeking an accounting role, we’re here to help! Each day we post new job openings. Think you may be the perfect fit? Don’t be afraid to say hello!
