EASYUNI Ultimate University Guide 2013 Issue 2 | Page 13

CO U R S E S & C A REERS

Some of the popular, important and highly soughtafter accounting positions that you can consider are:

1.

Controller

A company’s controller is the chief accounting officer
and heads the accounting department. The controller
is responsible for the company’s financial statements,
general ledger, cost accounting, payroll, accounts
payable, accounts receivable, budgeting, tax compliance,
and various special analyses.
At larger companies the controller will supervise
accountants and other professionals who assist him.
Titles of the subordinates could include accounting
manager, cost accounting manager, tax manager,
accounts payable manager, credit manager, payroll
manager, and so on. These managers might be
supervising accountants who are supervising accounting
clerks.

At smaller companies it is possible
that the controller will be the only
accountant and will be assisted by
an accounting clerk and an accounts
payable clerk.
Often, the controller reports to the chief financial officer
(CFO). However, at small companies, the controller might
report directly to the president or owner.

2.

Forensic
accountant

Forensic accounting
combines accounting
with information
technology, using
computer software to
analyse financial data
and look for proof of
embezzlement, fraud,
and other illegal activities
for use in court cases. Pretty much
like playing a secret investigator
or detective to solve crimes and
mysteries in matters of finance!
Other than that, forensic accountants primarily
provide analyses for discussion, debate and dispute
resolution. They testify in court cases as expert
witnesses for civil or criminal cases, to determine
the economic damages resulting from breach of
contract, professional negligence claims, to provide
evidence for proof of insurance fraud, embezzlement,
bankruptcy cases, money laundering, identity theft,
price fixing, and so on.
Some forensic accountants do not participate in
court proceedings, but work in matters such as
fraud assessment.

3.

Tax accountant

Tax accounting focuses on taxes rather than public
financial statements.
Balance sheet items can be accounted for differently
when preparing financial statements and tax payables.
For example, companies can prepare their financial
statements implementing the first-in-first-out (FIFO)
method to record their inventory for financial
purposes, and use the last-in-first-out (LIFO) approach
for tax purposes. The latter reduces the current year’s
taxes payable.

An accountant who is trained in tax
law is responsible for preparing tax
returns or developing tax strategies.
easyuni Guide 2013

Issue 2

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