This document provides an overview of the career of a certified public accountant (CPA). It describes the job duties, required education and training, work environment, earnings potential, and job outlook for CPAs. CPAs analyze financial reports, manage bookkeeping and accounting tasks, and ensure compliance with financial regulations. The career offers a growing job market, average salaries of $48,000-$70,000, and opportunities across many industries and business types. Becoming a CPA requires at least a bachelor's degree with accounting credits and passing the CPA exam.

1. Brandy Garcia-Cortez
West Los Angeles College

2. INTRODUCTION
A certified public accountant is a great job career for
anyone, especially for those looking for a career change.
With a little dedication and passion, becoming a CPA will
be a rewarding experience. CPA's are needed in every
state and the job market increases each year. Depending
on where you plan on working, the average CPA salary is
around 48,000-70,000. If these facts interest you, bear
with me and find out what it takes to become a successful
CPA.

3. JOB DESCRIPTION
•Accountants are experts at preparing
and analyzing financial reports.
- Analysis purpose & decision making
- Record keeping
- Financial accounting & reporting
•Accountancy is the universal language
of business and figure
•Very challenging career

4. DUTIES & TASKS
•Analyze company budget, expenses and
revenue
•Oversee bookkeeping and payroll
•Figure company benefits
•Auditing
•Manage bank accounts and investments
•Prepare profit and loss statements
•Compile and analyze financial information
•Explain billing invoices and accounting
policies
•Supervise the input and handling of financial
data and reports

5. WORK ENVIRONMENT
•Business attire at all times.
•Accountants tend to work in a fast-paced,
deadline-oriented environment.
•During the tax season, which lasts from
January 2 to April 15, when taxes are due, many
public accountants work long hours preparing
tax returns for individuals and companies.
•The job involves much contact with
customers.
•Accountants must be patient and accurate,
because their job involves details and numbers.

6. EDUCATION & TRAINING
REQUIRED
•a Bachelor's degree
•some credit experience in accounting
obtained at a CPA college or at a CPA
online school
•24 semester units of accounting &
business-based subjects
•150 semester units of education in
total
•Meeting CPA requirements & passing
CPA exam

7. TECHNICAL SKILLS
•Computer skills
•Higher mathematics
•A way with numbers
•A passion for detail
•Laws. Rules, & regulations
•Good communication skills

8. TOOLS & EQUIPMENT
USED
Office equipment such as:
•A computer with accounting
software.
•Calculator
•Columnar pads
•Fax machine
•Telephone

9. EXPECTED EARNINGS

10. JOB OUTLOOK
•Employment of public accountants is
expected to increase at a rate of 16%
faster than the average for all
professions through the year 2020.
•Because of increasing corporate
scandals, improvement is being
pressured thus, accountants have a
better chance of getting a job.
•the continued globalization of big
businesses will create a demand for
accountants that understand
international accounting rules.

11. PROFESSIONAL
ASSOCIATIONS
•The Association of Accountants and Financial Professionals in Business
http://www.imanet.org/ima_home.aspx.
•American Accounting Association
http://www.aaahq.org.
•American Society of Women Accountants
http://www.aswa.org.
•Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting
http://www.alpfa.org.
•National Society of Accountants
http://www.nsacct.org.

12. WORKS CITED
“Accounting.” Investor Words. WebFinance, n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2012.
<http://www.investorwords.com/48/accounting.html>.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook
Handbook, 2012-13 Edition.
“CPA”. Career Explorer. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2012.
<http://www.careerexplorer.net/accounting-finance/cpa>.
“Importance of Accounting/Accountancy.” AccountantNextDoor.
WordPress, n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2012.
<http://www.accountantnextdoor.com/importance-of-accounting-
accountancy/>.