Accounting CareersPresented by

The Nebraska Society of CPAs2009-2010

Which Career Path to Take

Public Accounting

Governmental & Not-for-ProfitPrivate

Accounting

Education

Where Do I Go From Here?

Public Accounting FirmsRegional/National Firms with Offices in Nebraska:

Dana F. Cole & Company, LLP

Local Firms in Nearly Every Community!!

Kennedy & Coe, LLC

Careers in Public AccountingTraditional

• Auditing & Assurance• Tax• Consulting• Forecasting & Projecting

New Opportunities• Forensic Accounting• Estate Planning• Personal Financial

Planning• International• Information

Technology• Internal Controls

Climbing the Corporate Ladder

Tax S ta ff1 -3 years

Tax S en io r3 -6 years

Tax M an ag er6 + years

Tax P artn e r1 0 + years

C on su lt in gS ta ff

1 -3 years

C on su lt in g S en io r3 -6 years

M g m t C on su lt in gM an ag er6 + years

M g m t C on su lt in gP artn e r

1 0 + years

A u d it S ta ff1 -3 years

A u d it S en io r3 -6 years

A u d it M an ag er6 + years

A u d it P artn e r1 0 + years

S en ior P artn e r

Private Industries

Your Local Bank or Your Own Business!!

Careers in Private Accounting

• Financial Management

• Financial Reporting

• Internal Auditing

• Management Accounting

• Non-financial Positions

• Tax Planning

PayrollC lerk

AccountsPayable

C lerk

AccountsReceivable

C lerk

AccountingM anager

CostAccountant

Controller

Chief Financial O fficer

InternalAudit S taff

InternalAudit M anager

Chief Executive O fficer

Private Accounting’s Corporate Ladder

Governmental & Not-for-Profit

Local School System

Local Hospital

University system

FBI

Governmental & Not-for-Profit Opportunities

• Federal– FBI– IRS– Treasury Dept– General

Accounting Office

• State– Universities– Agencies– Departments

• Local – Hospitals– Public Schools

• Not-for-Profit– Charitable

Organizations– Religious

Affiliations

Government & Not-for-ProfitCareers

• Performance Auditing• Financial Audits• Compliance Audits• Investigative Audits

Education

Education Opportunities

University or College Professor

High School Business Teacher

Education Careers• Instructor• Researcher• Board Member• Business Consultant• Expert Witness• Author

Accounting Careers Education Requirements

• Public– Strong College GPA– CPA Recommended– Bachelor of Science in Business

Administration

• Private– Strong College GPA– CPA Optional– Bachelor of Science in Business

Administration or Associates degree from Community College

CPA Requirements in Nebraska

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)• Education: 150 hours

– including bachelors degree with accounting emphasis

• Examination• Ethics Exam• Experience: 2 years under a licensed

CPA• Benefit: CPA is a highly-regarded

designation in the business world. It opens the doors to many opportunities for employment.

Salary Guide• Large Public Firms($250 million+ in sales)1 year $49,000-$59,2501-3 yrs $55,500-$69,250Senior $66,250-$85,500Mngr $82,750-$111,750Director/ $102,000-$159,500 Sr. Mngr

• Medium Private Firms($25-$250 million in sales)

Acctng Clerk $27,250-$36,000Acctng Manager $60,500-$79,500Controller $66,000-$120,500CFO $94,250-$175,750Internal Audit:1 year $41,500-$51, 5001-3 years $48,500-$62,250Senior $61,000-$77,250Manager $73,750-$95,750

(National Averages obtained from Robert Half International 2007 Salary Guide – Request a copy at www.rhii.com)

Why would I want to go into a career in accounting?

• Variety of work• Continuing Education (CPE, Trade

Publications & Associations)• Work with a variety of people

• Preparation for owning your own business

• Opportunities to travel nation-wide or globally

Will I be able to find a job with an Accounting degree?• Every business needs an accountant• High demand for accountants• Competitive salaries with long-term

growth potential• Accounting degree gives fundamental

business knowledge applicable to any business position including Marketing, Finance, Management, & Administration

How do I know if I would like Accounting?

• Are you a team player?• Are you an analytical thinker?• Do you like to explore new

opportunities?

• Do you like challenges?• Do you like to problem solve?• Do you like variety?

What should I be doing now?

• Improve on Oral & Written Communication Skills

• Work on Research Skills• Apply for an Internship (College Jr/Sr)• Remember that introductory

accounting just gives you the basics –real world accounting is not simply debits & credits

Scholarships AvailableScholarship money is readily available for college accounting students!!

Example – www.loma-ne.org

Where do I apply?- Check with your college’s financial aid

office and accounting faculty at your college or university

Where can I get more information?

• Nebraska Society of CPAs www.nescpa.com• Nebraska Board of Public Accountancy

www.nbpa.ne.gov/• CPA Exam website www.cpa-exam.org

• American Institute of CPAs www.aicpa.org• www.StartHereGoPlaces.com

• www.MoneyMeansBusiness.com• www.FeedThePig.org

• Talk with School Counselor or Business Teacher

Which Path Will You Choose?