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Why Pursue a Career in Accounting

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Why Pursue A Career in Accounting?

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As working as (Management Assistance) in Finance department; of ----- opened my eyes widely; to the importance of the Accountant’s Job; its privileges and its obstacles from so many levels.
Like any powerful and specialized job such as Accounting; it has its own shares of gains and losses; from both personal and professional aspects.
Although the Accountants after graduation; they don’t struggle a lot for job interviews or bothering themselves where to go! All they need to do actually; is to combine their goal & career’s ambition and match it; with any of the highly powerful corporation; located in the Abu Dhabi; like Deloitte; Ernest &Young; KPMG and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Otherwise there are the investment and retail banks; also the companies in all different fields of business recruit Accountants; to supervise their expenses and profits, and calculating earnings and costs.

Even after finding Accounting jobs recently or earlier ; my colleges at work can improve their careers greatly by obtaining more qualifications; for example the Chartered Accountant qualification (CA), and Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

Consequently; as I observe around the Finance department; their plans seems fixed as their numbers! They had it all planned from the moment they graduate. So what the Accountant exactly does?

In simple words the Accountant; is some who manages the Accounting tasks; for the individuals or to the whole firm. The Accountant takes many tasks according to the company’s size and the Accountant's specialization; which mostly including the tasks of generating Finance Reports; Taxes and all Company’s Payrolls.
The tasks itself can be different in small or large firms; in a small firm, an Accountant is mostly responsible for keeping all financial records. These records include; Payroll information; Accounts payable; Accounts receivable; Retail Sales Information; regarding investments held by the company.
While; in a large corporation, the Accountants will be dealing directly with internal audits, to confirm that; the financial records are perfect; and not bias to anyone.

The essential requirements to work as an Accountant; will be a certification from a certified & accredited agency; or a college degree in Accounting and Finance.
Accounting or Finance Department considered as a basic pillar in any company; which allow the Accountant to work for public and private sectors.

The highlights of Accountant’s job can be very straightforward. One reason; because of the accessing of interesting careers; as both of my survey candidates (The Accountant & Senior Budgeting & Reporting Specialist) admits that; they didn’t find it difficult to have job offers; which considered as a relief for any fresh Accounting or finance graduates; who can effectively start translating their career’s dreams into reality as soon as they can; while others will struggle all over again; to find at least job interview not a job offers; like the Accountants.
Another reason is; the Accountant has the attentiveness and perception of avoiding expenses and saving money for the future; as the (Senior Budgeting & Reporting Specialist) said she is perfectly able to calculate her own expenses.
However; Professional Corporation is easily accessible for Accountants; in case if their own company has financial crisis; they can easily transfer to another settled company; as (the Accountant) said thorough my interview with her. She transfer from her previous job where; she worked as a developee; due to budget & financial crisis in her old company; she transfer ------; and found a greater job offer as Accountant. This kind of issue is strictly confidential to the rest of the company’s employee expect the Accountants. The other Corporation with no financial crisis records can offer; other outstanding careers. All I can say how lucky she is!
Another privilege aspect; as both of survey applicants (The Accountant & Senior Budgeting & Reporting Specialist) confirmed that; the best social benefit is ;gaining people’s respect in the business industry, for so many reasons; one because people always seek their advice and valued their answers. Because, they are responsible for critical tasks; such as Keeping Accurate Financial Records; Paying Taxes on Time; which encourage people to ask for their guidance & help towards their personal financial matters.
Yet; (The Senior Budgeting & Reporting Specialist) mentioned that; leading Company’s meetings; is strong impact in her job; because it gives her control over the firm’s Finances. A firms’ future may depend on her approval of their Accounting records.

Nevertheless; there are serious drawbacks can affect; the Accountant’s professional & Personal drastically.
Such as the working hours; can be overwhelming and time consuming. Around 60 hour work a weeks; not all Accountants can bear with it; as one of the survey applicants (The Accountant); can’t find the right balance nor the time to pick up her kids from schools or even have lunch with them; she said for her career’s progress she must scarifies her family time.
Another financial concern is the; Deadlines of Accounting tasks are strict & rigid. For example; the Month -end and the year-end deadlines; are the most pressured times of the whole year. Both of the survey candidates (The Accountant & Senior Budgeting & Reporting Specialist) agree strongly these tasks are time uncontrollable & nerve racking; which always lacks the time to finalize it.
Besides; Accounting and finance jobs are mostly demanding; because every company always asks; for following their outcomes and expenses. Which allow the Accountants to identify the company’s problems straightway; and transfer to more profitable companies; to find Accounting jobs. This point can be a privilege to Accountants; to avoid any losses from their troubled firm; and in the same time this incident; might shows the Accountant’s lack of loyalty to the company; because they choose not to stay longer to support the company. Both of (The Accountant & Senior Budgeting & Reporting Specialist) can’t decide whether this step can be a privilege or a weak point; because they have their own financial obligation; due to their children school’ fees; and can’t risk their own career with problematic company; so that’s why sometimes they need to transfer into more settled & secure jobs.
Moreover; Accounting department; has a lower esteem image. Because the department itself; focus in checking and calculating the costs and outcomes; not on generating profits. While other department such as; sales or other revenue generating departments; this can be frustrating & disappointing to some Accountants.

Briefly; working as Accountants can be a ticket for a settled profession; with a big fat salary at the end of the month. All that sounds beneficial and profitable! But sometimes it’s not that stunning career; especially for married women; they make constant sacrifices to approve themselves in their jobs; which means less time with their family and friends; she will hold back her social life; if she wants to climb higher in her career; while she will descend much lower in her family life.

From my own point of view; I can say the price to success in Accounting; is very precious and costly in the same time. To achieve secures accounting career and happy family life; there are three main keys; which are; managing stress and time; completing tasks before deadline and stay focused towards tasks &responsibilities.

List of References

* S.E. Smith. (2011, September). What is an Accountant? Retrieved November 03, 2011, from wise geek website: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-an-Accountant.htm. * R.Watkins. (2011, April) Advantages & Disadvantages of Accountant Careers Retrieved e how website http://www.ehow.com/facts_4969109_advantages-disadvantages-Accountant-careers.html. * eFinancial careers. (2000) Accounting & Finance Retrieved e Financial careers website http://jobs.efinancialcareers.com/Accounting_Finance/uae.htm.

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