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Qualifications and Careers in Bookkeeping and Accounting

Qualifications and Careers in Bookkeeping and Accounting

Are you interested in becoming a bookkeeper or an accountant? This is a career path that offers many opportunities and various fields of specialisation, so we would like to discuss the different job outlooks in short.

Before you can choose a career, you need to understand your own career goals. What kind of work do you want to do and how do you want to grow or develop? To make it easier for you, we’ll give a short description of the different jobs you can qualify for in the field of Bookkeeping and Accounting:

Different jobs in Bookkeeping and Accounting

Financial Office Assistant

A financial assistant performs office duties for a company's accounting or finance department. Financial assistants handle clerical duties similar to that of any office assistant in any industry.

They would be required to answer phones, respond to emails, type reports and fax documents. Apart from these responsibilities, financial assistants may handle some bookkeeping and other accounting related tasks such as collections or payroll systems.

Bookkeeper

A bookkeeper is someone who keeps financial records for a business. Although bookkeepers perform basic accounting tasks, they are technically not a qualified accountant. They receive far less training and are not subject to legal certification.

A bookkeeper may work for a business or be contracted out to individuals and small groups, handling the books for multiple clients at once.

Accountant

An accountant is an individual who performs accounting tasks for individuals or companies. The exact material that an accountant handles varies depending on the size of the company and the accountant's field of specialisation, but it would generally include working with financial records, taxes, and having the responsibility for issuing financial reports.

An accountant is one of the primary figures in a business that he or she works for, whether it is a multinational corporation or a small family owned business. Requirements to become an accountant vary upon specialisation and nation, but it would generally include certification through a professional agency and a basic college degree in accounting and finance.

Management Accountant

Management accounting combines accounting, finance and management with the leading edge techniques needed to drive successful businesses. Management Accountants would:

· Advise managers about the financial implications of projects;

· Explain the financial consequences of business decisions;

· Formulate business strategy;

· Monitor spending and financial control;

· Conduct internal business audits; and

· Explain the impact of the competitive landscape.

Job outlook

Accounting and bookkeeping is a sure thing. Every business of any size performs accounting functions regardless of the type of business. The law requires it, and most business owners do not want to perform those functions themselves. Whether it is a bakery, a car lot, or a manufacturing company, every company needs bookkeepers and/or accountants.

The demand for accountants and bookkeepers is growing rapidly. As a bookkeeper you can work your way from clerk to controller, increasing your pay along the way and, with the right training, you can get there faster.

Starting your own business

Starting your own accounting business is also a good idea. Ninety percent of all businesses are small businesses. However, many small business owners find it hard to justify a full-time employee to be in charge of that function.

Your accounting business is just the service they need. Not only do you maintain their business records as required by law, but you are also able to advise them on steps they might take to become more profitable. You are also in a position to provide them with tax preparation services, which adds to your income.

Without the overhead of employees and a commercial lease, it is easy for you to start your online business and work part-time. This allows you to continue to receive the income from your current job as you begin to grow your business.

For more advice on choosing the right path go to www.career-advice.co.za or complete a free career test by clicking on the following link:

What Bookkeeping and Accounting courses does College SA offer?

At College SA, you can enrol for either Full Programmes or Short Courses in Bookkeeping and Accounting. We have the following options:

Full Programmes in Bookkeeping and Accounting

Short Courses in Bookkeeping and Accounting

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