Account Department

2.  Accountants and accounting clerks are responsible for
generating totals and balances,reconciling bills,
vouchers,accounts payable and receivable,and ensuring
thorough, accuratedata on customer and vendoraccounts
for businesses. They alsoneed to discern company
procedures for formatting documents, structuring
financial data, and posting transactions in journals,
databases or online systems. Some accounting positions
review computer printouts against manually stored
journals to manage and ensure quality, correct mistakes
and remedy discrepancies.There's a lot to get out of an
accounting career with the most important perhaps being:
learning how a business works.The field offers interesting
and challenging work that is continually evolving.

3. Various accounting related occupations collected
from theU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

4.  Accounting and auditing clerks are financial
record keepers. They update and maintain
accounting records, including those which
calculate expenditures, receipts,accounts payable
and receivable,and profit and loss.
Bookkeeping,accounting, and auditing clerksheld
more than 2.1 million jobs in 2006 and are
employed in every industry.

5.  Accurately forecasting the scope,cost, and
duration of future projects is critical to the
survival of any business. Cost estimators develop
cost information that business owners or
managers use to make a bids for a contract or to
decide on the profitability of a proposed new
product or project.They also determine which
endeavors are making a profit.About 62 percent of
cost estimators work in the construction industry,
and another 15 percent are employed in
manufacturing industries. Very good employment
opportunities are expected.

6.  Payroll and timekeeping clerks perform a vital
function: ensuring that employees are paid on
time and that their paychecks are accurate. In
addition, they may perform other clerical
tasks.Automated timekeeping systems that allow
employees to enter the number of hours they have
worked directly into a computer have eliminated
much of the data entry and review by timekeepers
and have elevated the job of payroll clerks,
allowing them to perform more complex tasks.
Payroll and timekeeping clerks are found in every
industry.

7.  Billing and posting clerks calculate charges,
develop bills,and prepare them to be mailed to
customers. By reviewing purchasing records and
making or verifying calculations, they ensure that
even the most complicated bills are accurate.
Billing clerks review hospital records, purchase
orders, sales tickets, or charge slips to calculate
the total amount due from a customer. About 35
percent of these workers are employed in the
health care industry.

8.  The senior accountant is responsible for applying
accepted accounting principles and procedures to
analyze financial information, prepare accurate
and timely financial reports and statements and
ensure appropriate accounting control
procedures.

9.  Compile and analyze financial information to prepare
financial statements including monthly and annual
accounts.
 Ensure financial records are maintained in compliance
with accepted policies and procedures.
 Make certain all financial reporting deadlines are met
prepare financial management reports.
 Ensure accurate and timely monthly, quarterly and year
end close processes.
 Establish and monitor the implementation and
maintenance of accounting control procedures.
 Resolve accounting discrepancies and irregularities.
 Continuous management and support of budget and
forecast activities.

10.  Monitor and support taxation requirements.
 Develop and maintain financial databases.
 Prepare for financial audit and coordinate the audit
process.
 Oversee accurate and appropriate recording and analysis of
revenues and expenses.
 Evaluate and advise on business operations including
revenue and expenditure trends, financial commitments
and future revenues.
 Collect and analyze financial information to recommend or
develop efficient use of resources and procedures, provide
strategic recommendations and maintain solutions to
business and financial problems.
 Ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations and
integrity of financial data.

11.  Accounting degree or equivalent.
 Knowledge of generally accepted accounting practices
and principles.
 Knowledge of economic principles.
 Knowledge of auditing practices and principles.
 Knowledge of applicable laws,codes and regulations.
 Knowledge and experience of accounting computer
applications.
 Usually a minimum of 3 years experience in the
management of financial systems and budgets,
financial reporting , financial data analysis, auditing,
taxation and providing financial advice.

12.  Attentionto detail and accuracy.
 Planning and organizing.
 Strategic thinking.
 Strong communication skills.
 Information and task monitoring.
 Problem identification and analysis.
 Judgment and probkem-solving.
 Supervisory skills.
 Teamwork.
 Stress tolerance.

13.  Use the accounting job description to determine
the common job requirements and competencies
for a senior accountant position. The job tasks
and responsibilities will vary from company to
company but the core functions remain similar.A
practical and comprehensive job description is
essential for a full understanding of the
expectations of this position. Adapt this job
description to meet your specific needs and
requirements.

14.  There is a world of employment in the accounting and
finance field beyond the role of accountant. The types of
accounting and finance jobs available range from thosethat
require basic skills to those requiring advanced degrees.
Some of these accounting jobs include accounts payable,
accountant, payroll specialist, or medical records and
billing jobs.Areas such as banking, corporate finance,
financial planning, real estate, insurance, and investment
banking all fall into the category of finance jobs and
require accounting and finance professionals. Most of
these positions do require either a college degree in the
field and/or special certification. At Accounting Principals
there are jobs available for people who are just beginning
to be interested in the field to those with years of
experience. Take a look at the jobs available today.