Auditor

• Auditors can work as part of a large company or independently. They carefully scrutinize the accounting statements of companies that hire them. Auditors can work either internally or externally. Internal auditors work for the same company year-round to determine how the company can better spend its money. External auditors may work for one or several companies to check financial records and ensure that the company is following reporting regulations. If the auditor files reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission, he must be a certified public accountant.
  
  

Tax Accounting

• Tax accountants work with companies to keep track of their income and expenses and minimize the amount of taxable income a company will have at the end of the year. They may recommend moving the headquarters of a company to a state or country that has more favorable tax laws or suggest that products be altered slightly to gain tax breaks such as making products more environmentally friendly. Tax accountants must remain up-to-date on tax law changes so they can better advise the companies they work for.
  
  

Management Accountants

• Management accountants work to oversee the daily functions of a company and keep track of the balance sheets. They work with high-level management to predict how future expansion plans for the company will affect the bottom line. They do research about potential markets around the world and the costs associated with expanding into those markets to determine where it would be most profitable for companies to expand.
  
  

Government Accountants

• Government accountants work for various government agencies helping them to determine how much money they can expect to bring in each year from taxes, fees and other revenue sources and how much money different programs are going to cost. In order to get an entry-level accounting job with the federal government, you must have at least 24 credit hours of accounting classes.
  
  

Financial Advisers

• Accountants can work as financial advisers for individuals who are uncertain as to how to protect and expand their current assets. They can advise their clients on how to minimize their tax liability both for the current year and in the future by investing in tax-free and tax-deferred investments. They can also help clients plan for large future expenses such as college education costs by suggesting that they invest in 529 plans or educations IRAs.