| Accountants are key to allowing a corporation, | | | | $35,000 per year. Masters degree holders had a |
| business, or other organization to be financially | | | | slightly higher average starting salary. The |
| efficient. They handle such tasks as auditing, tax, | | | | average accountant salary with up to one year of |
| keeping public records, and a number of other | | | | experience was between $26,000 - $36,000 per |
| duties. The job requires a proficiency in math and | | | | year across all fields, while accountants with one |
| a knowledge of business and financial matters, as | | | | to three years of experience earned $29,000 - |
| well as accuracy and attention to detail. An | | | | $41,000. Senior accountants earned between |
| accountant salary will vary depending on his/her | | | | $34,000 - $51,000, managers earned between |
| experience, field, and qualifications, but the | | | | $41,000 - $68,000, and directors earned between |
| majority of positions will allow for job security, | | | | $56,000 - $91,000. |
| benefits, and competitive wages. | | | | Employment opportunities for accountants in |
| The four major types of accountants are public | | | | every field are expected to increase in the next |
| accountants, management accountants, | | | | few years as more businesses are created and |
| government accountants, and internal auditors. | | | | current professions start to retire or move to |
| Each field has a different set of responsibilities and | | | | other positions. The number of job openings that |
| duties; although, the average salaries for each | | | | result from this is expected to be in the |
| tend to be fairly consistent, depending on the | | | | thousands. Though the job market is expected to |
| experience of the accountant and the organization | | | | remain competitive, with licensed accountants |
| he/she works for. | | | | having the best job prospects, there is a good |
| At the turn of the century, the median annual | | | | chance that it will be easier for all qualified |
| income of accountants was just below $40,000. | | | | accountants to find employment. |
| The middle half of those employed in the field | | | | As businesses begin to expand and grow, |
| earned anywhere between $30,000 and $50,000. | | | | accountants will be expected to adjust to a shift |
| The top 10 percent of accountants earned more | | | | in their clients' needs. Additionally, legislation |
| than $75,000, and the bottom 10 percent earned | | | | regarding taxes is subject to change significantly in |
| less than $25,000. | | | | the coming years as well, which means |
| On average, accountants working in urban areas | | | | accountants will also have to alter their techniques |
| earned a little more than those working in any | | | | to fit these new laws. As a result, the nature of |
| other area. The industries that employed the | | | | an accountant's job may be significantly different |
| most accountants were, in descending order: | | | | in the foreseeable future than it is currently. |
| accounting, auditing, and bookkeeping companies, | | | | Accountants will certainly have more advanced |
| state government (not including education or | | | | computer programs at their disposal, which can |
| hospitals), federal government, local government | | | | perform more sophisticated tasks. Some believe |
| (not including education or hospitals), and | | | | that these new programs could work to decrease |
| commercial banks. | | | | the amount of jobs in the industry. Though this |
| In 1999, accountants with bachelor's degrees | | | | may be true, it is difficult to know for certain. |
| received starting salaries which averaged about | | | | |