What Types of Accounting Jobs Are Out There & How Much Can You Earn?

Accountants can take advantage of many job possibilities.

Accounting is concerned with managing and tracking company finances. Accountants handle all financials for a company, as well as payrolls and investments. Accounting graduates can take advantage of a range of career opportunities in business, government or the nonprofit sector. Understanding the types of available accounting jobs and how much you can earn are solid starting points in your job search.

Bookkeeping

Bookkeepers are all-purpose accountants generally working in small businesses. A small business bookkeeper can be responsible for accounts payable, accounts receivable, payrolls, taxes, auditing and just about any other financial function an employer needs. Bookkeepers can work independently or as part of a small accounting team. The average annual salary of bookkeepers is around $37,000, according to Salary.com.

Specialized Roles

Larger companies employ numerous people in accounting departments, each with a specialized role. You can find work as an accounts payable or receivable clerk, a payroll clerk, a tax accountant, a cost accountant or any number of other niche roles within a large corporation. Members of a corporate accounting team may find themselves assigned to different accounting functions throughout their employment. Accounts payable clerks earn an annual average of about $30,000, according to PayScale.

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

The CFO position is the top rung of the corporate ladder for accountants. Chief financial officers are the heads of corporate accounting departments, responsible for planning, organizing, leading and controlling all finance-related operations and initiatives. CFOs are active in defining the financial goals and operational policies of the departments they oversee, and report to the board of directors and company owners --- the stockholders. Corporate CFOs can earn upwards of $170,000 annually, according to PayScale.

Private Practices

Accountants do not always work in someone else's company. Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) often open their own consulting practices, performing specialized services for a wide range of target customers. CPA offices can specialize in tax accounting, investments, third-party payroll services or just about any accounting niche that small business owners wish to outsource. Earning potential for private practice accountants is unlimited, depending upon work ethic and reputation.

Auditing

Financial auditing is a major concern for publicly-traded corporations and companies in highly-regulated industries. Large corporations often employ an internal accounting audit team to continually ensure that all accounting activities are performed accurately and ethically. Accountants can also sign up with the government regulatory agencies that audit corporations and nonprofits around the country. Salaries vary widely, according to comparisons available on Glassdoor.com.

References

• Salary.com: Average Bookkeeper Salary
• PayScale: Accounts Payable Clerk
• PayScale: Chief Financial Officer
• Glassdoor: Financial Auditor Salary