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| General Articles :: Hot Career Zone |
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| Accounting: Beyond the Numbers |
| by Paul D. Rosevear |
"The best part about accounting is the interaction I have with clients, and the problem-solving challenges I am presented with," says Sandy Napoleon-Hudson, an accountant and partner Steinfink, Napoleon & DiBenedetto, based in Elmsford, NY. "The position of the certified public accountant (CPA) has changed drastically -- we've become business advisors, and members of our clients' planning and strategy teams."
Even though you might get your training in a particular field of accounting like taxes, auditing, or fraud, your skills are utilized much more generally once you get out in the field, Napoleon-Hudson explains. "The clients rely on us," she says. "Good accountants need to know how to communicate well and learn their clients' business just as well as they know it themselves -- that's how you make the best decisions."
If you think you may get bored number-crunching all the time, think again. The field of accounting is one that always reinvents itself while remaining fresh and interesting, says Napoleon-Hudson. "Accounting is not something that stays the same for very long because tax rules, the economy, technology, and so many other factors are constantly changing," she says.
College calculations.
Believe it or not, the most important things that Napoleon-Hudson learned during her time at Pace University (Pleasantville, NY) had little to do with debits and credits. "Problem-solving is the crux of what my clients want from me," she explains, "so use your college time to develop a well-rounded base of knowledge and interests."
Another important thing: "One of the largest complaints of employers is that new hires have terrible oral and written skills. Being able to communicate effectively is a paramount skill in any business environment, and those who are able to do so are more highly valued than people of equal academic strength."
The Bottom Line.
Being a certified public accountant means much more than punching numbers into a calculator, and as Napoleon-Hudson emphasizes, your career options are endless. "You can aim for the prestige of large accounting firms, or the intimacy of a small firm, or even start your own practice."
About the author:
http://www.collegesurfing.com/content
Paul D. Rosevear is a frequent contributor to The CollegeBound Network. Learn more about finding a school that's right for you.
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