Many people find numbers intimidating and challenging to deal with, but there are individuals who thrive in this industry. As a matter of fact, one of the fields that deal with large amounts of numbers is the accounting sector.
Those who are working accounting jobs play a significant role in organizations. Apart from keeping a company’s books in order, they are also in charge of tax-related services, auditing, and many other related aspects.
For those who want to find online accounting jobs, you have come to the right place. Make sure to read through this guide to learn more about the industry, as well as how and where to find online accounting jobs today.
- Accounting Jobs and What These Entail
- The Perks That Come with Accounting Jobs
- Where to Find Accounting Jobs Online
- Educational Qualifications and Other Requirements
- Job Outlook and Growth Trends
Accounting Jobs and What These Entail
The misconception about accounting jobs is that they are boring and highly restrictive. In reality, however, people couldn’t be more wrong. In fact, there’s an extensive range of career choices that people can take advantage of.
Some of the areas that individuals can further explore include becoming certified public accountants, otherwise known as CPAs, as well as being an auditor. Management accountants, as well as forensic accountants, also exist within the realm, giving unlimited avenues for people to explore.
Staff accountants, investment accountants, and government accountants are also some areas of accounting that individuals can go into. There’s more to this as those in accounting can also go into careers such as business and financial consultant, financial analyst, finance manager, and personal financial advisor, to name a few.
The sky’s the limit when it comes to working accounting jobs, especially now that there are more companies and businesses who are hiring remote workers.
Duties, Responsibilities, and Working Environment
Bear in mind that accounting generally requires professionals to deal with and interpret financial records. They also collect and correct a firm’s finances. As such, accountants and auditors are responsible for not only preparing and examining financial records but ensuring all the data is accurate.
These professionals typically ensure that financial statements are properly represented, and by extension, are compliant with the laws and regulations in place. They also prepare tax returns, inspect books, take the time to assess a company’s financial operations, and find ways to reduce costs.
Given the extensive range of duties and responsibilities, most accountants work full-time jobs. They tend to become busier during the tax season or during auditing periods. Some may be required to travel to their client's locations and to work in teams, while some may work alone as well.
The Perks That Come with Accounting Jobs
One of the highlights that come with working accounting jobs is that it’s generally an industry that pays well. The median annual wage for accountants and auditors in 2021 was $77,250. The highest earners in the field, however, reportedly received around $128,970.
The range of salaries for those in accounting can vary. According to BLS, those in the bottom 10 earned less than $47,970. The location of companies also affects their salary range, with those in metropolitan areas commanding higher salaries, with some in the six-figure range and more.
Apart from the generous salary, accountants and auditors also get to enjoy the full range of benefits from companies, even if they work for these organizations remotely. These include gaining access to health care benefits, medical and life coverage, pensions, and even becoming a partner of the firm depending on their arrangement.
Online accounting jobs, meanwhile, are definitely modern-day work and the accounting sector shows that it’s open to this. Thanks to technological tools and the latest accounting software, accountants and auditors can make working from home possible, all the while giving them work-life balance.
Opportunity for Growth and Development
The field of accounting offers unparalleled growth and development. Accountants and auditors alike have the chance to venture off into different areas of accounting, even advancing into businesses or taking management positions.
Accounting offers the opportunity for careers not just in the field, but also in finance, business, auditing, taxation, and more, with the ability to work in small companies, governments, private sectors, and even Fortune 500 corporations.
There’s a massive responsibility that comes with the job. Alongside this, however, is the prestige and fulfillment of knowing that accountants and auditors are highly valued. These professionals are greatly trusted by companies as their role creates a big impact within the organization.
Where to Find Accounting Jobs Online
For those who are looking for accounting jobs online, there are tons of platforms available on the market today to help find remote jobs that allow professionals to work from home or wherever they might be.
One of the most popular platforms is no other than Upwork. This works by breaking down how many hours are needed for the job and shows how much individuals can get from each accounting task they get. Over time, however, users of Upwork will get the chance to set their desired hourly wage.
Another platform to apply for accounting jobs is PeoplePerHour. Individuals who want to find accounting jobs can use the platform to send proposals to desired companies and jobs. The Freelancer platform is quite similar as this allows candidates to bid for accounting jobs.
Other noteworthy platforms that have been tried and tested over the years are Indeed, FlexJobs, and even Glassdoor. These have an array of accounting jobs online and let prospective applicants see not only the detailed description of the role and responsibilities, but also the benefits that come with the job.
How to Apply for Accounting Jobs
Although there are different platforms available, the process of applying is generally the same. Applicants need to create a profile on the platform in question and create their resume. The resume will let headhunters and companies alike the credentials that candidates bring to the table.
Once the resume has been created, all applicants need to do is type in the companies or positions they want to apply for. For example, they can key in search terms such as ‘accountant,’ ‘auditor,’ or even ‘bookkeeper.’
After reading through the responsibilities and the job description, all individuals need to do is tap on applying to proceed. They should wait to hear from the company or the employer.
Educational Qualifications and Other Requirements
In order to jumpstart a career in accounting, individuals first need to get the proper education. This means that they should at least have a degree in accounting or a related field such as business. With the field being quite competitive, getting a master’s degree in accounting will set candidates apart from the rest.
Other education fields that fall in line with accounting include bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing. Those with practical experience through internships might also gain an advantage when applying for online jobs.
Moreover, they should have completed a certification in their field of accounting, such as a license that proves they have obtained their Certified Public Accountant title. Applicants should also take continuing education depending on their license or title.
Applicants should likewise possess superior math skills since their main job is to analyze and interpret the data given to them. This entails that they should also have excellent analytical and critical thinking skills. Organizational skills and communication skills are also highly appreciated in the field.
Check Out These Companies
It’s not standard practice for companies to hire remote workers and accountants for them. There are, however, some organizations that have been exploring this and are hiring professionals to do online accounting jobs.
For those who want to directly go to companies and find remote positions under these, some of the companies that are worth checking out include Aston Carter, Citizens Bank, CVS Health, Flagstar Bank, LHH – Lee Hecht Harrison, Randstad, Summit CPA Group, and UnitedHealth Group, among many others.
Positions that are currently up for grabs include reinsurance accountant, accounts payable specialist, staff accountant, finance senior manager, senior conventional underwriter, senior finance consultant, finance director, senior tax associate, payroll specialist, and director of accounting to name a few.
Job Outlook and Growth Trends
One of the highlights of being in the accounting sector is that there is indeed job security. This is one of the career areas that offer not only different work options, but also higher salaries in the field, even for those who work remotely.
The growth of the field of accounting is just starting. In fact, those who want to take this path have a bright future ahead, with employment expected to grow by 6% from 2021 to 2031. There are over 130,000 accounting career-related jobs up for grabs per year.
Tips for Finding Accounting Jobs Online
For applicants who want to find accounting jobs online and those who want to limit their search results to a certain location, using the filters provided on the website or platform would be a great help. They can also see what jobs are purely offering remote positions with this option.
With the accounting field highly competitive, many people often apply for the same positions. For those who want to be one of the first ones to grab opportunities as they come, turning on notifications for the position or posting, as well as signing up for timely alerts can be a lifesaver.
Final Thoughts
As companies continue to keep up with globalization, more and more accounting jobs will not only become remote work, but also be made available online. Now that applicants know what the job entails, they can proceed to enter the accounting industry with ease.
References
According to BLS - Accountants and Auditors : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
FlexJobs - 13 Companies That Hire for Remote Accounting Jobs | FlexJobs
