.:Ever Heard of CPA?:.

     So as I said before I wanted to become an accountant and the best way to ensure that I can work anywhere in the world as an accountant is to get my CPA.  To do so I have to meet the requirements to take the test (I am currently doing so right now with my accounting minor).  You can check out the courses offered at UCSD @ http://management.ucsd.edu/undergrad/accounting/.  Of course if you aren't enrolled at UCSD you can still take the same courses at any other academic institution that offers them.  What's important is taking the courses to qualify for the exam and not whether you major or minor in accounting.  

     So what exactly is the CPA and how do you qualify to sit for the exam?  Read on, find out and STUDY STUDY STUDY!!! (A/N: the following information have been derived from lectures from professors who teach intro to accounting classes at UCSD) .

     CPA stands for Certified Public Accountant.  It acts both as a title and as a license.  You can practice accounting with or without becoming a CPA; however, if you're aiming for a promotion or thinking about doing accounting in other states or other countries then passing the CPA exam is the best, and most likely the only, way to go.  This is because the CPA license proves that you have thoroughly understood and mastered the entire standard accounting procedures and skills applied to businesses throughout the world.  Acquiring the CPA license and becoming a CPA is equivalent to attaining an international accounting passport.

     Not surprisingly, such a prodigious travel pass cannot be obtained easily.  It can only be achieved through hard work and preservation.  There are two different routes that qualify a candidate to take the CPA exam outlined in the following:

.:Pathway 1:.

Designed for individuals who will practice only in California and requires:

• A bachelor’s degree;
• 24 semester units in accounting-related subjects;
• 24 semester units in business-related subjects (accounting courses beyond the 24 required units may apply toward the business units);
• Passing the Uniform CPA Exam;
• Two years of general accounting experience supervised by a CPA with an active license; and
• Passing an ethics course.

.:Pathway 2:.

If you are licensed under this pathway, the majority of other states will recognize your license. If you think that someday you might want to practice in another state, Pathway 2 may provide you the professional mobility you desire. Requirements:

•  A bachelor’s degree;
• 24 semester units in accounting-related subjects;
• 24 semester units in business-related subjects;
• 150 semester units (or 225 quarter units) of education;
• Passing the Uniform CPA Exam;
• One year of general accounting experience supervised by a CPA with an active license; and
• Passing an ethics course.  

  

     Since I am a Californian and do not plan on living abroad, either route will get me to the same place.  However, if you do not fall into the same category as me, then your best bet will be to undergo Pathway 2 since it is the standard route for most people who want their CPAs.  

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After reading this blog you should gain the insight you need to understand what the CPA is, why it is important, and know what classes and experiences you are required to take in order to sit for the exam.

.:Accounting Job Outlook:.

     Hello, let me give you a brief introduction about me and my goal for readers who read my blog.  I am a third year UCSD student majoring in Communication and minoring in Accounting.  My ultimate career goal in life is to become a financial consultant; though my original goal is to become an accountant with a CPA.  Why did I change?  Well this blog represents how my interest in accounting eventually evolved into my desire to become a financial consultant.  Don't worry if you don't understand the terminology I am using.  Here I will explain everything from what accounting entails, to different career paths in the future to how to land a job.  So let us all embark on this journey together.  First, let's start off with what you can expect from the job market.

     As the economy grows, the number of business establishments will increase, requiring more accountants and auditors to set up books, prepare taxes, and provide management advice. As these businesses grow, the volume and complexity of information reviewed by accountants and auditors regarding costs, expenditures, taxes, and internal controls will expand as well. The continued globalization of business will also lead to more demand for accounting expertise and services related to international trade and accounting rules and international mergers and acquisition.

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     So not surprisingly, accounting is ranked as one of the top two careers in the nation offering the most job openings for fresh out of college graduates.  There’s an estimated 22% annual growth in the industry and by the year 2018 it is expected that more than half a million new accounting positions will be created waiting to be filled.  Of course job opportunities for accountants and auditors will be most favorable and advantageous to those who have earned their CPAs or obtained a master’s degree in Business Administration.  However, students who earn a Bachelor of Commerce or related degree with a focus on accounting can also work in other jobs including management consulting, finance, marketing, human resources and entrepreneurship.

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     Now that you have the degree, what can you expect to earn?  Well the median annual wages of wage and salary accountants and auditors were $59,430 in May 2008. The middle half of the occupation earned between $45,900 and $78,210. The bottom 10 percent earned less than $36,720, and the top 10 percent earned more than $102,380. Median annual wages in the industries employing the largest numbers of accountants and auditors were as follows:

Accounting, tax prep, bookkeeping, and payroll	$61,480
Management of companies and enterprises	59,820
Insurance carriers	59,550
Local government	53,660
State government	51,250

[Statistics derived from http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos001.htm#projections_data]


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These statistics are here to help you realize what you can expect in terms of entry level salary and job growth rate in the accounting market today.  It is to entice your interest in this field or at the very least educate you on the surface level what kinds of opportunities you can find in the accounting field.