Accountants & Auditors
Description OES Code: 211140
Accountants and auditors prepare, research, analyze, and verify financial reports that furnish information to customers in all businesses, industries and government organizations. The four major fields are management, public and governmental accounting, and internal auditing.

Wages, California
Entry-Level Hourly Wage $17.21
25th Percentile $18.99
50th Percentile $23.57
75th Percentile $30.23

Wages, San Joaquin
Entry-Level Hourly Wage $18.07
25th Percentile $19.68
50th Percentile $24.62
75th Percentile $33.98

Wages by California County
• OES Survey
• CCOIS Survey

Hours & Benefits
Work hours vary. Most Accountants work 40 hours a week with additional overtime during busy seasons. They may receive extra pay or compensating time off for overtime.

Fringe benefits normally include paid vacations, sick leave, group health insurance and retirement plans. Some companies offer profit-sharing plans. CPA firms often pay for CPA exams, professional courses and professional society membership dues.

Employment Trends, California
Employment 1998 106,400
Projected Employment 2008 127,400
Growth Rate 1998-2008 19.7%
Openings due to Separations 18,100

Employment Trends, San Joaquin County
Employment 1999 990
Projected Employment 2006 1,150
Percent Change 1999-2006 16.2%
Separations 1999-2006 120

Employment Trends by California County

Working Conditions
Accountants and Auditors work in a normal office setting, but often work away from their desk in a client’s office to perform audits. Some jobs, such as those performed by government auditors, require considerable travel. The work is often challenging and may be stressful. Accountants often work long hours under pressure during the first quarter of the calendar year, which is both tax and audit season.

Advancement
Experienced CPAs may advance to manager and eventually to partner. Some leave to open their own practices.

Management Accountants may become senior-level supervisors or department managers. A few become Controllers, Treasurers, or Chief Financial Officers.

Getting the Job & Other Information
Applicants should:

  • Register with their college career center
  • Network through professional association members, employed Accountants and Auditors and personal contacts
  • Apply directly to agencies and firms

For current job listings, browse CalJOBS or America's Job Bank.

Education and Training
Accountants and Auditors need a BA degree with a major in accounting. Certification is required for CPAs. California and all other states use the same Uniform CPA examination prepared by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. The examination is rigorous and the failure rate can be high. To earn their CPA certificate, candidates need two years of auditing experience with a CPA agency.

Some colleges offer internships and/or cooperative education (work-study) programs for a limited number of accounting students in their junior year or above. Interns work in an accounting office for about three months; co-ops alternate several periods of work and study. Such programs offer valuable practical experience and often lead to permanent jobs.

Skills & Other Requirements
Accountants should be able to work independently, perform well under pressure, comprehend information quickly and possess good analytical and communication skills. They must be able to explain and interpret data for clients. The ability to use personal computers and accounting software is essential. Employers often require that applicants be bondable.

References
California Occupational Guide: #1

Related Occupations: Bookeeping, Accounting & Auditing Clerks #26

Training: California Training and Education Providers (CTEP)

  • See Also:
    California State Board of Accountancy
    2000 Evergreen Street, Suite 250
    Sacramento, CA 95815-3832
    Phone: (916) 263-3680    .