Most accountant and internal auditor positions require a bachelors degree in accounting or
a related field. For example, to begin an accounting or auditing position in the Federal
Government, a person usually need to have 4 years of college education, in which 24
semester hours are spent on accounting or auditing, or an equivalent combination of
education and experience. While many employers prefer applicants with a masters degree
in accounting or a masters degree in business administration with a concentration in
accounting, practical knowledge of computers, their applications in accounting, and
previous experience in accounting or auditing can also help an applicant get a job in the
accounting field. Since experience has become a critical component for careers in
accounting, many colleges today offer students opportunities to gain experience through
internship programs conducted by public accounting or business firms.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, accountants and auditors held about 1.3
million jobs in 2006. They worked throughout private industry and government, and about
21 percent of wage and salary accountants worked for accounting, tax preparation,
bookkeeping, and payroll services firms. Approximately 10 percent of accountants or
auditors were self-employed. Furthermore, based on a comprehensive analysis of Monster
job postings in the United States, job opportunities are abundant in accounting since
employment of accountants and auditors is expected to grow faster than average for all