Career Explorer Accountant Accountants prepare, analyze, and verify financial reports and taxes, and monitor information systems that furnish this information to managers in business, industry, and government. Increasing numbers of accounting graduates are working in private corporations. A growing number of accountants and auditors have extensive computer skills and specialize in correcting problems with software or developing software to meet unique data needs. The major fields of accounting are public, management, and government accounting, and internal auditing.
Public accountants have their own businesses or work for public accounting firms.
They perform a broad range of accounting, auditing, tax, and consulting activities for their clients, who may be corporations, governments, nonprofit organizations, or individuals. Other responsibilities include budgeting, performance evaluation, cost management, and asset management. Internal Auditors verify the accuracy of their organization's records and check for mismanagement, waste, or fraud. Government accountants and auditors maintain and examine the records of government agencies, and audit private businesses and individuals whose activities, and audit private businesses and individuals whose activities are subject to government regulations or taxation. They must be able to clearly communicate the results of their work orally and in writing, to clients and management.