Accountant

• Diploma of Accounting
• Advanced Diploma of Accounting

MORE THAN JUST STRENGTH IN NUMBERS
Accountants are more than just number crunchers who prepare your annual tax return. In fact, they are key strategists who help both individuals and organisations to improve their financial practices and systems. Depending on their chosen area of specialisation, there is a wide range of duties that accountants perform. Auditors, for example, inspect financial records of businesses to ensure compliance with legislation. Assisting clients in preparing either business or personal tax statements and providing advice on taxation matters are some of the duties of taxation accountants. Accountants in information systems set up and maintain computer-based accounting and financial systems.

Not quite the career you are looking for? Please try the related course profiles below:

Clerical and Administrative

Receptionist (Tourism),  Accountant,  Hotel Manager,  Caravan Park/Camping grounds Manager,  Human Resources Manager,  Customer Service Officer,  Medical Administrative Officer,  Project and Program Administrator,  Purchasing Officer,  Legal Secretary,  Conveyancer,  Bookkeeper,  Credit and Loans Officer,  Receptionist,  Financial Planner / Financial Investment Advisers,  Librarian

Figures and Computational

Designers for Theatre, Performance and Events,  Graphic and Multimedia Designer,  Accountant,  Event Coordinator,  Electronic Engineering Associate,  Bank Officer,  Caravan Park/Camping grounds Manager,  Project and Program Administrator,  Cartographer - Surveyor,  Computer Systems Engineering Associate,  Small Business Owner/Manager,  Webmaster/ Website Administrator,  ICT Network Administrator,  Bookkeeper,  Market Research Analyst,  Credit and Loans Officer,  Retail Sales Supervisors and Assistants,  ICT Help Desk Support Officer,  Computer Service Technician,  Financial Planner / Financial Investment Advisers

Influencing and Personal Contact

Designers for Theatre, Performance and Events,  Receptionist (Tourism),  Accountant,  Police Officer,  Event Coordinator,  Restaurant and Catering Manager,  Hotel Manager,  Counsellor and Community Worker,  Aboriginal and Torres Islander Health Worker,  Trichologist,  Travel Consultant (Domestic and International),  Child Care Worker,  Film, Stage, TV and Radio Director,  Bank Officer,  Musician,  Butcher,  Nursing (enrolled),  Sports Coach,  Legislators and Government Appointed Officials,  Personal Trainer,  Private Investigator,  Landcare Officer,  Human Resources Manager,  Veterinary Nurse,  Ecotourism Guide,  Park Ranger,  Author/ Book Editor,  Tourist Information Officer,  Beauty Therapist,  Florist,  Actor,  Project and Program Administrator,  Cellar Door Salesperson,  Reflexologist,  School Services Officer,  Youth Worker or Disability Worker,  Conveyancer,  Copywriter,  University - VET Lecturers and Tutors,  Patient Care Assistant,  Aromatherapist,  Fitness Instructor,  Hairdresser,  Occupational Health & Safety Professional,  ICT Network Administrator,  Market Research Analyst,  Sales Consultant (IT),  Credit and Loans Officer,  Marketing and Advertising Specialists,  Retail Sales Supervisors and Assistants,  Management Consultant,  Real Estate Agents & Property Managers

Of those currently employed there are 63% of Accountants who have a Bachelor Degree, 12% have an Advanced Diploma or Diploma, 6% have Postgraduate Degrees and 9% have had no post school qualification.

If you're still in high school, take computer, maths and accounting courses. Equally important, with the accountant's strong client focus, you'll need to develop your written and verbal communication skills. It is recommended that you gain the necessary qualifications to better your chances for employment opportunities.

TAFE SA offers the following courses to help you gain entry level employment in this area; Certificate IV in Financial Services (Accounting); Diploma of Accounting; Advanced Diploma of Accounting. Still Unsure! Then try a short course also offered through TAFE SA such as Basic Bookkeeping. For further information about TAFE SA courses go to the TAFE SA website at www.tafe.sa.edu.au.

A Bachelor of Business or Commerce (Major in Accounting) is also offered at Flinders University, The University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia.

With projected growth from the property and business services industry till 2011, job openings for accountants are also expected to increase. In addition, South Australian employers have also reported experiencing shortages in this occupation.

A DIVERSE OCCUPATION
Accountants can choose a variety of different areas to work in such as auditing, budgeting, finance, information technology, investment, liquidation and management. Those working for public accounting firms, government or corporations require a post-secondary qualification and are normally registered with an appropriate professional accounting association. Additional education requirements may also be needed, depending on the level at which you wish to work and with which associations you seek membership.

Finance and Insurance,  Property and Business Services

THE NEWS KEEPS GETTING BETTER
The introduction of the GST and new tax reform policies increased the demand for the services of accountants nation-wide. This coincided with an industry that has already experienced a shortage of qualified accountants. While both of these situations have levelled out, there remains a strong demand for qualified accountants and accounting graduates. This is due to the versatility of the profession and the wide number of areas in which accountants may work. There has always been a need for assistance with compliance work and record keeping for all businesses - big or small. But accountants have recently been required to help clients set up new systems and deal with new reporting requirements.

While this is technically a Monday to Friday, 9 to 5 job, you can expect to work long hours at certain times of the year as you move to senior level positions, or if you work in particular specialisations. Auditors, for example, may work up to 70 hours a week. Tax season has always been a busy time for accountants as they prepare end of year financial statements for individuals and businesses. Now with Business Activity Statements being submitted monthly or quarterly, the busy times seem to have grown.

Over half of all accountants are employed in the business services sector, with the rest found in diverse industries from mining and manufacturing to construction, wholesale, retail, hospitality, government, education and health. Your working environment will be indoors and your office may be a one-person home office if you are self-employed, or a large corporate office if you work for an organisation like a government taxation department, a large accounting firm or a major bank or building society. If you enjoy working with figures, have strong organisational and analytical skills and get on well with people, you may be suited to the work of an accountant. Computers are widely used as a financial management tool and there is now an emphasis on computer training in accounting degrees. This means that the overlap with information technology degrees makes switching career paths easier.

CPA Australia (SA Division)
280 Pulteney St Adelaide SA 5000
Ph: (08) 8232 3188
Fax: (08) 8232 3194
Email: sa@cpaaustralia.com.au
Internet Address: http://www.cpaaustralia.com.au

Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia (SA/NT Office)
Level 11, 1 King William St Adelaide SA 5000
Ph: 1800 645 947 (FREECALL)
Fax: (08) 8231 1982
Email: careers_sa@icaa.org.au
Internet Address: http://www.flyhigher.com

National Institute of Accountants (SA/NT Division)
PO Box 3056 Rundle Mall SA 5000
Ph: (08) 8227 2255
Fax: (08) 8227 1211
Email: sadivn@nia.org.au
Internet Address: http://www.nia.org.au

Starting salaries for university graduates begin around $40,000 for junior accountants. After several years of experience, the better paying jobs can earn you up to $80,000 a year, with the potential to earn even higher.

For further information about all TAFE SA Courses, phone 1800 882 661 or email tafeinfo@saugov.sa.gov.au