will produce thousands of job opening annually in this large occupation. The Occupational Outlook Handbook states that the expansion of accountants is related to: increasingly complex taxation, growth in both the size and the number of business corporations required to release financial reports to stockholders, a more general use of accounting in the management of business, and outsourcing of accounting services by small business firms(Bureau of Labor Statistics, 7). While the majority of jobs will be found in large cities with large businesses, smaller firms will start up and smaller business will continue to seek outside accountants. Accounting jobs are more secure than most during economic downswings. Despite fluctuations in the national economy, there will always be a need to manage financial information, especially as the number, size, and complexity of business transactions increases(8). However, competition for jobs will remain, certification will become more rigorous, and accountants with the highest degrees will be the most competitive.In order to become an accountant, a person needs an aptitude for mathematics. In addition, a person must be neat, accurate, able to work with little supervision, and able to handle responsibility. Starting in high school, students preparing for an accounting career should be proficient in arithmetic and basic algebra. Familiarity with computers and their applications is equally important. Course work in English and communications will also be beneficial. In college, a bachelors degree with a major in accounting is highly recommended by professional associations for those entering the field and is required by all states before taking the licensing exam(Cosgrove, 5). It is possible, however, to become a successful accountant by completing a program at a private business school, junior college, university, or correspondence school. Better positions, particularly in public accounting, require a bach...
