accountant.

A CPA (certified p accountant) is both a job title and a certification. To earn this credential, you need to have a degree in accounting, complete a specified number of hours working as an accountant, and pass the state's CPA licensing exam. These professionals hold advanced positions in accounting and finance within organizations. They also serve as consultants, helping individuals and businesses plan for the future.

Both individuals and businesses need to handle taxes. A tax accountant is a professional specialized in preparing and resolving tax issues. A tax accountant can be part of a team within an accounting firm. Many large companies have positions for accountants who navigate state, federal, and international tax laws.

Forensic accountants are advanced auditors who track money when it goes missing. For law enforcement agencies, tac authorities ANAF and DNA, and anti-corruption units, forensic accountants investigate illegal financial practices or hidden income. Companies hire forensic accountants in cases of embezzlement. These accountants don’t just follow the money; they also work to find ways to recover it.

To maintain financial transparency, larger organizations employ both accountants and financial managers. In the past, a bookkeeper was the person who manually recorded transactions in a financial ledger. In the digital age, the bookkeeper is responsible for entering daily transactions into accounting software. Senior accountants then analyze this data to prepare reports and provide guidance to management.

Investment accountants assist individuals and businesses with financial planning and investments. While many general accountants handle investment-related tasks, professional investment accountants focus exclusively on this area. They develop investment strategies aimed at achieving growth both in the short term and the long term.

Many organizations regularly require audits to ensure financial transparency. They seek an auditor who reviews their accounts to prevent embezzlement and other irregularities. Some accounting firms specialize in providing external audits for businesses.

For many accountants, a career begins with an entry-level bookkeeping position. These junior professionals may be part of an accounting team within a department or may serve as dedicated accountants for a branch or division. Cash book accountants perform fundamental accounting tasks such as account reconciliations, report submissions, and verifying the accuracy of all financial data.

In some job descriptions, you'll see a distinction between senior and junior accountants. The title reflects the employee's responsibilities. In this structure, junior accountants primarily handle daily data entry and account reconciliations. Senior accountants then analyze the work and present reports to management. Experienced accountants can directly apply for senior positions. Typically, after a few years of experience, a junior accountant may be promoted to a mid-level role and eventually to a senior position.

The responsibilities of an accountant depend on the size of the company and the employee's level within the organization. However, there are certain standard expectations for accountants regardless of their seniority level.

• Maintaining accurate financial records: Monitoring the financial health of a department, business, or organization is one of an accountant’s key responsibilities. This task involves performing or overseeing data entry. In companies that use integrated software that automatically records transactions, the accountant still needs to ensure that everything is functioning correctly.

• Account Reconciliation: An accountant must verify that the figures in the reports match the actual assets owned by the company. If a bank statement shows a different amount than the internal report, the accountant needs to trace the source of the discrepancy.

• End-of-month and end-of-year closing: For tax and planning purposes, companies regularly close their financial statements. This process involves finalizing all transactions for a specific period, be it a month, a quarter, or a year. Reports generated from the month-end closing provide management with an overview of the organization’s financial stability. In construction or manufacturing companies, inventory assessment of current materials may be part of the closing process. Annual inventory counts and closing are intensive procedures that can require a few extra hours.

• Tax Preparation: Businesses file their tax returns every year. The accounting department is responsible for preparing the forms and accurately submitting the tax declaration, taking advantage of applicable tax laws. Failing to fulfill this duty can trigger a federal audit and result in costly fines.

• Preparing Financial Reports: One of an accountant's tasks is to share financial information. An accountant must take data from financial records and turn it into a clear report. They can send the report to management, or company leadership might ask a senior accountant to give a formal presentation of the report.

• Preparation for Audit: An audit is an investigation into a company's financial practices. In non-profit organizations, an annual external audit may be a requirement. Other companies choose to conduct audits as a way to ensure they follow best financial practices. Government agencies, such as tax authorities ANAF, can also perform a tax audit if there are issues with a company's tax filings. An accountant will play a key role in this process. This professional will need to provide financial records and explain financial decisions.

With the exception of forensic accounting, an accountant works indoors, typically in an office. Handwritten records have disappeared, so accountants now expect to spend many hours in front of a computer screen. Cost accountants will periodically visit warehouses to check inventories of materials and products.

In most cases, accountants work a regular daily schedule as full-time employees. The accounting department needs to be available to advise management for decision-making purposes. Especially in manufacturing environments, month-end closing can mean extended hours for inventory assessment and account reconciliation.

At a minimum, those applying for an entry-level accounting position will need a bachelor's degree. If your degree isn't in accounting, you'll need to pursue additional training in areas such as financial reporting and tax preparation. You might also consider the benefits of earning a master's degree in accounting. While it's possible to land a junior accountant role without a degree, advancing your career without one will be challenging.

Many job descriptions in accounting require a certified public accountant (CPA) license or give preference to candidates who hold one. The requirements for obtaining a CPA certification vary from state to state. You will need advanced education and practical experience in accounting. Once you meet the basic requirements, you must pass your state's CPA exam. This exam is known to be challenging, and in some years, less than half of those who take it pass.

CPA accountants are required to complete a certain number of continuing education hours to maintain their certification. Tax laws change every year, and companies expect their accountants to stay up-to-date with the new regulations. Other accountants will also need ongoing training to keep their skills relevant. An independent accountant will have to cover the costs of this additional education. For a salaried accountant, your employer may cover the expense of these courses.

People pursuing a career in accounting often have a natural affinity for mathematics. They can manipulate numbers quickly without a calculator. However, accountants don't need to understand advanced mathematical concepts to excel. Calculating profits and losses is a matter of basic addition and subtraction. Accountants should be comfortable with statistical language to create and interpret reports.

A meticulous accountant is a valuable asset to any company. Part of a cost accountant’s job involves finding ways to cut costs and boost profits. Saving just a few cents in the manufacturing process can significantly impact a company's bottom line over the course of a year.

Accountants conduct most of their work on computers. They need to be able to create spreadsheets and work with accounting software. Additionally, professionals in this field should be comfortable using online communication methods such as email and video conferencing tools.

The way an accountant maintains records requires a high level of organization. To keep accurate documentation, the accountant must organize and store digital files in a way that allows an external auditor to quickly find the necessary data. A well-organized individual will also handle time-consuming tasks, such as month-end closing, more efficiently.

A accountant needs to translate financial information in a meaningful way. Business leaders rely on clear communication to make decisions. An accountant is someone who helps leaders understand the financial health of their organization.

Many employers prefer to hire accountants with advanced certifications. However, there are many accountants who build their entire careers without becoming Licensed Public Accountants. Earning the CPA certification is a challenge that can open new opportunities, but it is not mandatory for every accounting job.

If you have no experience in accounting, you'll need to pursue additional education to transition into this field. People who haven't studied finance or accounting in college often choose to enroll in a master's program in accounting at a local institution.

According to internal resources from Randstad Romania, the average salary for an accountant is approximately 5,000 to 6,000 RON net per month. An entry-level position, such as a junior accountant, typically earns around 2,800 to 3,000 RON net per month. An experienced accountant with over 5 to 7 years of experience can earn up to 12,000 RON net per month.

People starting their careers in accounting often begin with a junior accountant position or bookkeeping role at a large company. This type of job provides the necessary experience to advance in their career. Other aspiring accountants start out in private practice, offering accounting services to small businesses.

Applying for an accounting position is straightforward: create a Randstad profile and browse our available job openings in your area. Then, simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our career tips here! Want to stay updated on the latest trends and insights in the job market? Download the newest reports and research here.