Course Outline
Join PRO

What does an accountant do?

Author:
Harold Averkamp, CPA, MBA

Some accountants are directly involved in preparing an organization’s financial statements. This is likely to include maintaining the general ledger and supervising some employees.

Other accountants work with a corporation’s management in analyzing costs of operations, products, and special projects. Usually this will also involve budgeting and preparing reports which highlight any variances.

Some accountants work as a corporation’s internal auditor while many accountants are independent certified public accountants (CPAs) who audit the financial statements of many corporations and other organizations.

Some accountants and CPAs choose to have their own accounting firm and may focus on assisting small businesses with their accounting systems, financial statements, income tax returns, tax planning, investment decisions, etc.

The above examples illustrate the variety of opportunities that accountants have available. Accountants can also use their formal college education with many types of businesses and organizations such as manufacturers, retailers, financial institutions, accounting firms, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and more. Many accountants also use their knowledge and experience to become executives and business owners.

Join PRO to Track Progress

Advance Your Accounting and Bookkeeping Career

Must Watch image

  • Perform better at your job
  • Get hired for a new position
  • Understand your small business
  • Pass your accounting class
Watch the Video
Certificates of Achievement

Earn Our Certificates of Achievement

Certificates of Achievement
  • Debits and Credits
  • Adjusting Entries
  • Financial Statements
  • Balance Sheet
  • Income Statement
  • Cash Flow Statement
  • Working Capital and Liquidity
  • Financial Ratios
  • Bank Reconciliation
  • Accounts Receivable and Bad Debts Expense
  • Inventory and Cost of Goods Sold
  • Depreciation
  • Payroll Accounting
View PRO Plus Features

Join PRO or PRO Plus and Get Lifetime Access to Our Premium Materials

Read all 2,866 reviews

Features

PRO

PRO Plus

Features
Lifetime Access (One-Time Fee)
Explanations
Quizzes
Q&A
Word Scrambles
Crosswords
Bookkeeping Video Training
Financial Statements Video Training
Flashcards
Visual Tutorials
Quick Tests
Quick Tests with Coaching
Cheat Sheets
Bookkeeping Study Guide
Managerial Study Guide
Business Forms
All PDF Files
Progress Tracking
Earn Badges and Points
Certificate - Debits and Credits
Certificate - Adjusting Entries
Certificate - Financial Statements
Certificate - Balance Sheet
Certificate - Income Statement
Certificate - Cash Flow Statement
Certificate - Working Capital
Certificate - Financial Ratios
Certificate - Bank Reconciliation
Certificate - Accounts Receivable and Bad Debts Expense
Certificate - Inventory and Cost of Goods Sold
Certificate - Depreciation
Certificate - Payroll Accounting
Motivational Badges
Motivational Points
Medal Rankings
Activity Streaks
Custom Public Profile Page of Achievements

About the Author

Harold Averkamp

For the past 52 years, Harold Averkamp (CPA, MBA) has
worked as an accounting supervisor, manager, consultant, university instructor, and innovator in teaching accounting online. He is the sole author of all the materials on AccountingCoach.com.

Learn More About Harold

Read 2,866 Testimonials

Take the Tour Join Pro Upgrade to Pro Plus