Accountant
Note: Completion of a TAFE SA course does not guarantee an employment outcome. Formal requirements other than educational qualifications (eg licensing, professional registration), may apply to some occupations.
| Job Prospects |
Employment for Accountants to 2014-15 is expected to grow very strongly. |
| Salary Range |
$45,000 to $100,000 plus |
| Brief |
*THERE IS A NATIONAL SHORTAGE FOR ACCOUNTANTS*, especially in the specialisation of taxation and audit. If money really does make the world go round, its not surprising that the skills of accountants are in high demand. When it comes to financial records and systems, it is accountants who provide clients with specialist advice and services.
In South Australia, there are approximately 11,400 people currently employed as Accountants. Majority are employed full-time and work in the property and business services industry. Over half of persons in this occupation are male and most are employed in the Adelaide metropolitan area. Accountants have a younger age profile with only around a third of people in this occupation aged 45 years and over. |
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TAFE SA courses that may be relevant for: Accountant
Accredited (Award)
Introduction
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.
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Education Requirements
Of those currently employed there are 63% of Accountants who have a Bachelor Degree, 16% have an Advanced Diploma or Diploma, 6% have Postgraduate Degrees and 13% 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 III in Account Administration; Certificate IV in 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.tafesa.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.
Career Path
With projected growth from the property and business services industry until 2015, 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.
Industries
Finance and Insurance, Property and Business Services
Nature of the Job
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.
Typical Physical Working Environment
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.
Typical Occupational Example
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)
Level 10, 420 King William St
GPO Box 2574
Adelaide SA 5001
Ph: 1300 73 73 73
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
GPO Box 9985
Adelaide SA 5001
Ph: (08) 8113 5500
Fax: (08) 8231 1982
Email: registration.sa@charteredaccountants.com.au
Internet Address: http://www.charteredaccountants.com.au
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
Earning Potential
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.
Further Information
For further information about all TAFE SA Courses, phone 1800 882 661 or enquire online