Accounting or accountancy is one of the most important fields of finance
and is considered as the pedestal of all other fields in the finance sector.
Accounting is the branch of commerce which deals with aspects such as
summarizing, reporting and analyzing financial transactions to keep financial
records. It is the study of how businesses track their income and assets
over a period of time. Accountancy is related to dealing and maintaining
records of all daily financial transactions happening in business to estimate
the success or failure of a business.
Growing economic and commercial activities,
has made accounting an integral part of our everyday lives. Any business requires an accountant who would be responsible for
maintaining books of accounts.
Hence, accounting career opportunities exist almost everywhere, and accountants
are in high demand whether it is a new business, big or small,
home-based business, corporations and government organisations. The services of accountants are required by all organisations as they must maintain systematic records of all transactions for
the purpose of planning activities, managing and furnishing tax returns. Without
this department, recording financial transactions, proper maintenance of staff salary
and books of account, balance sheets
preparation, calculation of various taxes etc is not possible in a firm. Most
decisions related to present and future projects are based on the financial
records of a concern. Accounting is an important field not only in business but
also in every day life of common man. People use accounting skills while making
decisions related to finance and investment options.
With IT boom, computer has occupied almost every field and in this scenario even
accounting is not possible without computers. This has increased the importance
of computerised accounting. Specially designed accounting software like Tally is
used by
firms to ensure speedy and accurate accounting.
Accountants assess the present and future
economic activities of individuals, businesses, non-profit organizations
and governmental bodies. Accountants manage many tasks besides preparing financial statements and
recording business transactions. Key areas of accountants work are audit, budget analysis, taxation, management
accounting, financial accounting etc. Auditing, an important feature of
each and every business, involves checking of books of accounts. Budget analysis is developing and managing the financial
plans of an organisation. Taxation involves preparing tax statements for
particular individual as well as business concern. Management accounting involves
preparing an analysis of the assets. Financial accounting means analyzing and
recording the transactions and financial statements.
Within the field of accounting, there is another option called Forensic
accounting. Forensic accounting is the practice of utilizing accounting,
auditing and investigative skills to assist in legal matters. Forensic
accounting involves Investigative accounting i.e legal investigation and analysis of financial documents of
any firm or client, who is involved in a legal dispute of a criminal nature such
as insurance fraud, employee theft etc. and Litigation support which deals with
the calculation of economic damages or loss resulting from a breach of contract.
Career areas like Chartered
Accountancy, Company
Secretary, Banking,
Actuary,
Cost and Works Accountants are related to accountancy. These are advanced fields
in accounting which require specific qualifications. However to enter a career in
accountancy which is an important field of finance, the basic qualification
needed is only a bachelors degree in commerce.
