Accounting Analyst

If you crunch numbers in your sleep, a job as an Accounting Analyst might keep you happy during your waking hours as well. This job lets you use those analytical skills to scour financial documents in search of errors, discrepancies, or fraud. Just think, it would be pretty cool to be the Analyst behind a fraud investigation.

As an Accounting Analyst, you won’t commonly see such extreme cases, but you do help legitimate companies avoid the kind of mistakes that could lead to a heap of trouble with the government. An Accounting Analyst typically works for a large organization that has a Board of Directors, multi-tiered management, investors, large quantities of money flowing in and out, and an accounting division that juggles it all.

The documents you analyze outline all the financial aspects of the company. Purchases, investments, contributions, loans, assets, banking fees—if money is coming or going, it’s on the financial statements. You not only look for accurate reporting, but also identify ways that the company could save money. In this way, you work as a Consultant, advising them on tax strategies and helping to set future budgeting goals.

Because you work with the accounting department, you are sometimes charged with payroll, property taxes, annual tax statements, and other common accounting functions. You might also train and supervise other staff. It’s not easy to make sure that every financial component of a company is in compliance with the ever-changing governmental regulations, so you keep up to date through trade journals and industry conferences.