Career Plan: Accountant, Business Plan Example

Self-Assessment

To be an accountant entails working with different individuals, organizations and business entities. I believe that I have what it takes to become a successful accountant because of my inherent ability to think critically, to work with other people in a team or to work with limited to no direct supervision and to think creatively. By being able to think creatively and critically, I will be able to easily identify aspects of my job, within my job description, that need solutions, reasoning and even proper documentation. This is particularly true in the field of accounting. There is a need be detail-oriented. My cutting-edge research, critical-thinking, educational background and communication skills will enable to do any task that will be assigned to me and to troubleshoot as necessary. In addition, my technical skills will also allow me to prepare reports with ease and to use new and advanced accounting software needed to prepare and present reports to the bosses or to the clients. Also, I am able to analyze and communicate financial data, prepare financial reports, and offer other financial-related legal services.

Moreover, as a professional, I value respect, honesty, integrity and hard work in my career. I value trust in my professional and personal life. I strive for excellence and will do everything to succeed within the context of professional ethics and moral standards. However, I know that I still have a lot to learn about the trade and there is a need to constantly upgrade and update my skills and education in order to equip myself with the changes and advancement in my chosen field to keep myself relevant and able to face the future challenges associated with a career in accountancy.

Prioritizing tasks can sometimes be difficult for me to do. I can get easily overwhelm with tasks but still able to deliver. I also tend to over perform in order to prove that I can do a job or task that is given to me.  As a result, I tend to become very particular with details and over work myself. Although I have a broad knowledge in public accounting, I need to improve my knowledge in the area of taxation. I need to learn more in order to expand my horizon and do better as an accountant. It is also undeniable that the profession is fast-paced and sometimes handling stress positively can be a challenge for me. Even though I have clear and apparent weaknesses, my professional and personal motivation will offset these weaknesses and turn them into strengths that can contribute to my success.

Opportunities

To be an accountant means working in very fast paced, ever changing, dramatic and very challenging environment. Regardless of the nature of the profession, it is regarded as one of the most in-demand and good paying jobs in all over the world. As a matter of fact, the demand for accountancy is enjoying a sustainable and steady growth since 2015 and about 66% of recruiters and managers are ready to hire new and freshly graduate accountants to meet the demand for manpower. Therefore, the opportunity to learn and upgrade the skills must be taken advantage for in order to secure a position in a company. There are various opportunities available in this industry. Some of the most in-demand and open opportunities are:

• Corporate Accounting- Works for all kinds and size of firms specializing in reporting, financial accounting, taxes, management accounting, cash management, budgeting, treasury and financial analysis. The tasks of a corporate accountant may also include analysis and recording of financial data, cost and asset management, budgeting and the much needed performance evaluation. Career advancement may include becoming a part of management and private or corporate accountant.
• Non-Profit, Governmental and Educational Establishments- Another opportunity for an accountant is the chance to work with non-profits organizations, government offices/agencies and educational institutions. Job entails the maintenance and the examination of financial records of these agencies and establishments. It also includes auditing various private business or individuals in order to fulfill a government regulation or taxation.
• Public Accounting- Geared towards working for internal auditing of any organizations, government agencies, and public or private entities. The job is more focused on analyzing, verifying and evaluating the effectiveness of the internal controls of an organization in order to prevent or catch mismanagement, fraud or waste of resources.
• Public Accounting- One of the most common opportunities being pursued by accountants. The tasks and job descriptions are broader as it includes auditing, consultation services, and taxation not just for government agencies, non-profit organizations, private individuals but as well as small and huge corporations. This type of opportunity also opens the gateway to specialization in the field of forensic accounting, securities frauds, bankruptcies, embezzlement, disputes on contracts and illegal money transactions such as money laundering.
• Various Entry Level Jobs- Landing an entry level job, although competitive, gives every accountant the chance to start practicing the profession. Entry level jobs that are usually hiring are staff auditor, staff internal auditor, staff tax accountant, and staff corporate accountant.

Despite the demand on this job, I can say that I have a competitive advantage over the other candidates such as my Certified Public Accountant license, broad financial knowledge, and experience. I am also driven to success and my quest for knowledge and desire to improve myself makes me a better candidate for the job. Therefore, I can say that although there are threats, they can easily be managed as I know where I want to be in my professional career and how to get there.

Career Plans

Short Term Goals

• Get the Certified Public Accountant license.
• Attend various training sessions, seminars and conferences to increase my knowledge and familiarize myself the new technology and developments concerning the profession.
• Get a professional certification such as the Certified Management Accountant. This will help bring prestige into my title as an accountant and widen my horizon and competency.
• Further my education. Short and long courses to upgrade my skills and knowledge that can help me land a job must be completed.
• Upgrade my technical skills. Enroll in computer classes and accounting software training to increase competency in the profession.
• Land an entry-level job in a firm or company as an accountant.

Intermediate Goals

• Get a managerial position.
• Think about an area of specialization (e.g public accounting or internal audit).
• Upgrade skills needed for the specialization.
• Start mentoring.
• Continued education.

Long Term Goals

• Consider becoming a managing partner in a firm.
• Consider starting my own accounting firm if becoming a managing partner in a firm is not an option and if it is not viable.
• Prepare for retirement.