Where Do Accountants, Accounting Clerks, and Bookkeepers Work?

Are you an organized, driven, and logical thinker? You may be perfect for the world of accounting! This field offers an array of careers, with steady, stable work available in a variety of settings, at a variety of levels, depending on your role of choice.

As we’ve discussed in a previous article, there are more professions in accounting than what meets the eye. Today, you can become a certified accountant, or you can become a bookkeeper, accounting clerk, payroll professional – the list goes on. And whether you choose to become a CPA or bookkeeper, there are many reasons to dive into this well-respected profession. For one, these professionals are needed in just about every industry.

Think about an organization or business, and the way it runs. Now, think about what a business would be without financial expertise to back it up. It’s hard to envision! Accounting professionals are needed to manage balances, handle bills and invoices, keep records, produce reports, compute taxes, conduct audits, organize financial documents, ensure compliance, pay employees, and more.

If you are wondering: Where do accountants work? Where do accounting clerks work? Where do bookkeepers work? Wonder no more. Here, we will share the work settings of these industry professionals that you may soon join.

Accounting Firms

There are many accounting firms – both big and small – that offer public accounting services. These companies typically work with personal and business accounts. Chances are, you will work on a variety of clients’ accounts and learn a lot about a variety of businesses. Accounting professionals who work in firms may find themselves involved in the audits and financial statements for restaurants, charities, hair salons, and other various industries. At an accounting firm, tax season – January to April – tends to be the busy season. The rest of the year may be a bit calmer, but the push to get those taxes filed by April 15 can lead to many overtime opportunities.

Government Agencies

Budget is a big part of the U.S. government’s work. So of course our government needs accountants, accounting clerks, and bookkeepers, too. Whether it’s the federal, state, or local level, there are accounting professionals needed at all levels of government work. From city school districts right up to the U.S. Army, there are funds, spreadsheets, and accounts that need balancing in every branch of government work.

The most widely acknowledged government job, in regards to tax work, is the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This agency, within the U.S. Treasury, employs a variety of tax professionals.

Non-Profits

If you have a heart for charities and non-profit organization, you may want to pursue a career within this type of industry. Non-profits need accounting professionals for their tax filing and bookkeeping. Non-profit organizations range in their services and missions, and often will hire entry-level accounting professionals with an associate degree in hand.

Big Businesses

Of course, there are many big corporations hire their own bookkeepers to keep on staff, instead of contracting work with an accounting firm. Big companies even employ their own staff accountants and accounting clerks.

Work from Home

Thanks to software advancements and common access to WiFi, more and more accounting professionals choose to work independently and from a home office. With the help of social media and marketing, launching your own tax filing business may be easier than ever before. You may choose to become your own boss and make up your own work schedule with a work-from-home business opportunity. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, bookkeepers often work independently, for multiple firms or organizations.

This is just the beginning of the many places you can work as an accounting professional. If you are considering pursuing an associate degree in accounting (and perhaps wondering if it’s worth it), consider this: There are a variety of career options available, even without a four-year program. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were about 1.7 million bookkeepers, accounting, and auditing clerks working in 2018 – careers in which an associate degree is the standard requirement. These professionals were found working in the following industries:

• Professional, scientific, and technical services (13%)
• Retail (9%)
• Wholesale trade (7%)
• Healthcare and social assistance (7%)
• Finance and insurance (6%)

If you are interested in learning more about career options within the accounting field, and would like to pursue an associate-level accounting program in Connecticut, contact Goodwin College today. Call 1-800-889-3282 or visit us online to request more information.