Environmental Accounting Careers

Those wishing to use their number-crunching skills towards saving the environment might want to consider a career in environmental accounting. Previously, only tangible costs were considered in computing a company's bottom line. As more emphasis is placed on reducing greenhouse gasses, more companies are looking to the wisdom of accountants to determine costs on the environment. These calculations include cost of pollution, how much companies will lose or save by switching to "green" technology, and other environmental considerations.

Areas of Employment

While almost all companies need workers in accounting, not all will need an environmental accountant employees. These employees find work with industrial companies concerned with their pollution output; companies include manufacturers like auto industries, oil, electric and water companies. Service industries (like consulting and banking) and media companies will likely have no need for an environmental accountant.

Job Duties

Workers in environmental accounting evaluate costs to the environment based on financial information and availability of resources. If, for example, a company produces 2,500 shirts in the course of four hours, an environmental accountant assesses the level of pollution correlated to that output, as well as the amount of natural resources used in the process. Wiserearth.org further explains that environmental accountants can use both physical and financial terms when classifying these impacts.

Skills

Accountingcrossing.com specifies that no certification is necessary, though experience in the company's procedures as well as knowledge of state and federal pollution regulations are very helpful. Because environmental accounting workers are usually working within a budget designated for environmental concerns, negotiation skills are useful: accountants may have to present findings for why an increased budget is necessary to stay within pollution regulations.

Having a degree in accountancy or certification will likely help if you have no prior accounting experience or years with a company that offers such a position.

Salary

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average salary of an accountant in 2006 was $54,630. While no data is given from the government regarding environmental accounting, the salary likely reflects the average earnings in this field.

Job growth for accounting is expected to grow 18 percent. As more companies must tighten their pollution output, the trend for environmental accountants is likely on par with this growth percent.

Considerations

If you are already in accounting and thinking of switching to a different discipline, this field, which considers the environment in addition to other expenses, may be more rewarding.

If you have little to no experience with accounting, consider taking an introductory course at a community college to become familiar with accounting methods and procedures you will use should you choose this line of work.

References

• Wiserearth.org
• Accountingcrossing.com
• Bureau of Labor Statistics

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