Job Roles in Finance and Accounting

The below paragraphs present some of the accounting roles you may specialise as an accountant across wide range of industry sectors in public, corporate, non-profits or governments sectors. See accounting industry sectors to find out more about how accounting is incorporated into each the above sectors.

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Auditing in Finance and Accounting

Some limited companies are legally required to undergo a third party financial audit to ensure that legal requirements are followed. Such audits are conducted by third party, or external auditors that prepare and examine financial records and ensure that company’s financial statements are accurate. In other words, audits are retrospective, independent checks on an organisation’s financial situation. Some of the activities performed by auditors include conducting risk analysis or identifying where the statements may be failing. Increasingly auditors are used to assess financial operations to identify ways to improve company performance and eliminate waste or fraud. Auditors maintain independence from management and directors to conduct their audits objectively. As an auditor you could find yourself working in large multinational business or local retail or charity. The finance and accounting industry overview will provide you a good glimpse as what career of an accountant poses.

 

Tax

Graduates who chose to work in tax accounting roles focus on activities related to tax issues such as helping businesses to stay on track with all of the tax laws and regulations - filling tax returns, planning for future tax obligations or helping businesses to save money in terms of exposure to their tax liabilities. As tax laws tend to change frequently tax accountants need to constantly learn about new regulations to provide accurate tax services to its clients.

 

Forensics in Finance and Accounting

Graduates undertaking forensics accounting roles use their skills and abilities to examine and investigate fraud related issues. A number of forensic accountants are employed by accountancy firms, insurance companies, banks or government agencies to assist in legal proceedings such as testifying in courts as expert witnesses to commercial fraud or other types of financial scams. Forensic accountants use rigorous investigating techniques to uncover fraud. Typical day to day work may involve interviewing people, studying accounts and examining documents. As an forensic accountant you need to be the type of person that can work methodically through materials, always alert to potential fraudulent activities.

 

Financial Planning

Accountants pursuing their careers in financial planning help businesses or individuals achieve their financial goals. In particular, the task of the financial planning advisor or accountant involves determining how the business or an individual will afford to achieve its strategic objectives. Financial accountants or advisors may recommend how to manage cash, credit, inventories, liabilities or expenses of the business to achieve its short or long term goals and objectives.

 

Business Valuation

Graduates wishing to become accountants may get involved in accounting valuations at further stages of their careers. Measuring company assets for financial reporting purposes, accounting valuation is an important aspect of accounting to value assets when preparing the financial statements.