Accountants are unfairly stereotyped as penny-pinching bean-counters, says Tracy Adamson, a partner in Dartmouth's Hunter Belgrave, Adamson. She said the opportunities within the profession are broad and exciting, with lots of opportunities to help shape the future of businesses. (PETER PARSONS / Staff)

By STEVE PROCTOR
Business Editor

IT'S A GREAT time to be an accountant, says Tracy Adamson, a partner with Hunter Belgrave, Adamson of Dartmouth.

"There's lots of demand. You can pretty much write you own ticket. If you've got the skills and the education, you can pretty well choose what you want to do or where you want to go."

The Newfoundland native, who has two-year-old triplets, said she has worked with big accounting firms and at a private company, but she's found her greatest joy working in a small to mid-sized enterprise where she can build relations with the owners or senior executives of the companies she is trying to help.

"There is such great flexibility in the field. If you want to be self-employed and work out of your home, you can do that. If you want to specialize and work in a very narrow field like forensic accounting, you can do that too."

Opportunities are especially good for professionals with a strong financial analysis background, taxation expertise and international experience.

She decries the stereotypes that paint accountants as little more than number-crunchers. She said the best accountants aren't necessarily even good at math. They are good at interpreting data and thinking creatively about how the numbers can affect the development of a business.

"You have to be able to add two plus two, but more importantly an accountant needs to be thinking about the big picture. You are really helping manage a business."

And you can't be afraid of information technology, she says. Most industries now use computerized financial systems to monitor business finance, so the more comfortable you get with computers, the better off you'll be.

Want to learn more about the profession?

Read on.

WHAT THEY DO?
Accountants plan, organize and administer accounting systems for individuals and establishments. They look closely at accounting records and prepare financial statements, reports and income tax returns from account­ing records and provide advisory services to employers and clients.

There are many different kinds of accountants. Some work for themselves and serve many clients while others may work for a single employer, offering ongoing advice on helping businesses improve their profit margin.

Auditors are responsible for examining financial records of individuals and companies to ensure accuracy and agreement with accounting procedures. They also prepare detailed reports on audit results and make recommendations to improve management practices. Corporate controllers in accounting are responsible for internal auditing in a business, while forensic accountants discover illegal financial actions in business and industry, such as electronic security violations.

WHAT ARE THE WORKERS LIKE?
To work in this field, you should have excellent organizational, analytical and communication skills, both oral and written. Good judgment, integrity and persistence are important. You must have an aptitude for mathematics and be capable of detailed and precise work. Business skills are essential. Knowledge of business and financial software is required.

This is a well-educated group. Sixtyfive per cent have a university bachelor's degree or higher. Half of accountants are female and half are male, 51 and 49 per cent respectively. The average age of accountants is 41. A noticeable number of accountants are self employed, 18 per cent.

WHERE DO THEY WORK?
Annapolis Valley 9%
Cape Breton 9%
Halifax 61%
North Shore 13%
Southern N.S. 8%

WHAT TRAINING OR EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED?
These positions all require a formal accounting designation such as Certified General Accountant, Certified Management Accountant or Chartered Accountant.

To become a CA, you must have a bachelor's degree, complete a training program approved by the Institute of Chartered Accountants and be accredited by the Institute of Chartered Accountants. The CA designation is transferable anywhere in Canada, and an agreement exists to allow mobility into the United States.

To become a CGA, you must complete a bachelor's degree and a training program approved by the Certified General Accountants. Associ­ation, and you must meet the practi­al experience requirements.

Admission into the CMA program requires a bachelor's degree in commerce or business administration.

Applicants must pass a national entrance examination, complete a twoyear accreditation component and obtain the necessary work experience. Auditors are generally required to have the same type of education and training experience as CGAs, CMAs or CAs. They may be required to obtain accreditation from the Institute of Internal Auditors. Specialized accreditation programs, such as the program in investigative and forensic accounting developed by the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants, may be available to accountants with the required training and experience.

WHAT ARE WORK PROSPECTS?
Job opportunities for accountants and financial auditors are good. This is a large occupational group, and a large number of jobs will become available in the next few years. It is expected that a number of new jobs will be created as demand for this occupation grows. Some of this demand is fuelled by changes in accounting controls and the increasing complexity of corporate transactions.

It is common for accounting firms to actively recruit at universities to fill junior positions. Most positions in Nova Scotia are concentrated in urban centres, but there is demand for accountants and financial auditors in rural areas. Demand is highest for accredited accountants.

Outlook: Growing
Employment in 2005: 4,000
Estimated average annual number of job openings for new accountants: 155
Earnings in 2005: Average $29 hourly with a maximum of $57.50

TYPICAL JOBS
Cost accountant, environmental accountant, forensic accountant.

For information, or to explore over 300 other careers in Nova Scotia, visit the Education Department's Career Options website: novascotiacareeroptions.ca

On the Job is a weekly feature looking at career opportunities in Nova Scotia. Past columns are archived at www.jobspress.com