Observation of an organization's accounts and fiscal trends provides valuable data to those in business who must make decisions and predictions based on the economy.  Accountants maintain the financial records and supervise the recording of transactions of businesses, corporations and not-for-profit organizations, as well as government agencies.  They design and maintain systems to record changes in assets and liabilities; supervise accounting for expenses, payment, purchases, and inventories; and prepare periodic tax and financial reports.  Areas of possible concentrations in accounting include budgets, cost, taxes, systems accounting, systems design auditing and financial reporting.  Accountants work with people and must be able to communicate orally and in writing.  One of the major functions of accountants is to give advice to management on potential courses of action.  

Finance is the study of interaction of firms and financial markets.  Financial markets attempt to identify and undertake projects that increase firm value and determine the best means by which to finance the projects they undertake.  Investors, the source of financing for these projects, are free to choose from many types of securities issued by different types of firms.  The risk-return profiles of these individual securities, and the impact of portfolio design on the attainment of an optimal risk-return profile, are major topic areas of finance.

Career Sources and Professional Organizations

	Accounting.com
	AccountingWEB - News & resources for Accountants and Accounting professionals.
	American Association of Finance and Accounting (AAFA) - Accounting and Finance jobs
	American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
	American Society of Women Accountants
	American Taxation Association
	Association for Financial Professionals
	California Association of County Treasurers & Tax Collectors
	California Board of Accountancy - includes essential and comprehensive information regarding the requirements to qualify to sit for the Uniform CPA Examination and obtain a CPA license in California.  Exam and licensing related information is presented in several easy-to-read informational handbooks, including Uniform CPA Exam Handbook for First Time Applicants, Uniform CPA Exam Handbook for Repeat Applicants, and Handbook for Initial Licensure
	California Society of CPAs
	Career Bank
	Careers in Accounting
	Careers in Business
	Careers in Tax - Tax jobs, careers, resume & interview tips. High paying international, federal, and state income tax careers can be found at the preeminent tax jobs site - Careers In Tax.  **NEW**
	CPA Directory
	Defense and Finance Accounting Service - Department of Defense
	Financialjobs.com - Accounting and Finance jobs
	Institute of Internal Auditors
	JobSummit
	National Association of Computerized Tax Processors
	National Association of Tax Practitioners (NATP)
	National Banking Network - Banking and Finance Jobs
	National Society of Public Accountants
	Pacific Bridge Inc.
	SmartPros Accounting
	Tax-Jobs.com
	TaxJobs.com
	Tax Talent

SAMPLE JOB TITLES

Entry Level:		Experienced:
	Accountant		Accounting Educator
	Auditor		Certified Public Accountant
	Bank Officer		Controller
	Corporate Accountant		Corporate Financial Analyst
	Credit analyst		Economic Analyst
	Financial Analyst		Financial Consultant
	Governmental Accountant		Investment Analyst
	Staff Accountant		Managerial Consultant
	Tax Advisor		Treasurer

ENHANCING EMPLOYABILITY

	Participate in internships.
	Consider a five-year program to meet new requirements for CPA status.
	Develop advanced computer skills.
	Develop mathematical & problem-solving abilities.
	Ability to work well with people.
	Join relevant student organizations to develop leadership skills.