Getting a graduate position in a field so vast and competitive can be difficult. Choosing a graduate job in the accounting field requires education, formal certification, and a firm commitment to learning the trade.

There’s definitely a lot more than crunching numbers on a calculator. In order to successfully have an accounting career, there is a certain level of experience and study you’ll need to become qualified and nationally recognized.

What are you going to specialize in?

Very few accountants are generalists, most of them would specialised in one industry or in one aspect of the business. Therefore, experience or degree with concentrated coursework with a focus on a particular specialty may be partly what employers look for when recruiting graduate accountants.

1. University Education

Most accountancy positions require at least a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field, such as a Bachelor of Accounting, Commerce, and Business. With these degrees being so broad, it’s a good idea to plan which subjects you will be undertaking to pursue a specific career goal. Your choice of subjects in your relevant course along with your marks will influence your goals and chances of pursuing different specializations.

2. Diploma

If you are looking for a shorter accounting study instead, then an accounting diploma program will help to build on your basic accounting knowledge and skills to provide a solid foundation for your next career move. By completing a specialist course of your choice, you would be able to gain exposure to accounting skills such as bookkeeping, accounts receivable/payable, and payroll processing just to name a few.

3. Accreditation

After undertaking an appropriate education, gaining accreditation is needed. Find out what you must tackle for your accounting career. These accreditation require an exam to sit or a minimum of years of experience to apply. Australia’s accounting industry is regulated and accredited by three professional accounting bodies:

Institute of Public Accountants (IPA)

You can join as a member of IPA if you meet one of the below entry requirements.

Qualifications and experience:

• • Eligible accounting qualification (see AIPA requirement) + a post-graduate accounting qualification assessed to be equivalent to the IPA Program Stage 1 and
  • Industry experience assessed to be equivalent to the Mentored Experience Program (MEP) completion/full exemption; OR
  • Current membership with an IFAC Member level body, IPA MIPA level equivalent(additional requirements may apply in certain jurisdictions due to local legislative requirements).

Please refer to the website for further information regarding membership: Public Accountants.

Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ)

To join this body, you will need to complete the CA Program and must hold a degree, or a postgraduate award recognized by ICAA. The CA program is comprised of the Graduate Diploma of Chartered Accounting and, three years of approved and mentored practical experience.

Please refer to the CA ANZ Australia website for further information regarding the membership of CA ANZ.

CPA Australia (CPA)

To join this body, a member must hold a degree, or a postgraduate award recognized by CPA Australia. You must complete the CPA Program, including three years of professional experience in finance, accounting, or business.

Without a sound knowledge of the correct accreditation to pursue, attaining a potential graduate position and prospects will be difficult and messy. For more information, contact any of the organizations listed above.

Please refer to the CPA Australia website for further information regarding membership in CPA Australia.

Get the internships experience

As competition for jobs has exponentially increased within the last few years, you need to think of new ways to help stand out from all the other equally qualified and knowledgeable candidates.

Having experience brings a lot to the table as a candidate for an accounting graduate position. Find a company that aligns with your career goals in what you would like to specialize in. Interning during your education will help you not only gain more credibility as a graduate when seeking jobs but also deepen your understanding of the various aspects of accounting and workplace culture.

Some of the universities in Australia include internships within the coursework, and some of the training providers also offer internship programs to international students. So next time you’re on a summer break or gap year, you might want to consider doing a meaningful internship to boost up your future career.

Researching employer

Researching an employer is one of the most efficient ways to become a stand-out candidate during the recruitment process. Whether it is one of the big four accounting firms or a finance department within an organization, each employer will have its unique company culture and benefits.

So what are the places you should go to research your potential employers? The good news is that it’s easier than ever before to learn about an employer. Firstly, start your research by visiting the company’s website including its service or products as well as the culture, mission, and values. Then, tap into social media such as the company’s Facebook Page and LinkedIn account. This will give you a good understanding of how the company wants its customers to see it.

Keep in mind no application should be the same. Each business will have its unique values and mission, so using one generic application is worthless, if it does not cater to the requirement of the role. Understand your objective from the start and determine what you would like to gain from the role, and never rush an application.
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Be prepared for your interview

There are thousands of interview questions a potential employer could ask you. But they are most likely narrowing down to variations on these two meta-questions:

• Do you have the right skill sets for the role you apply for?
• Do you have the character traits that will make you the best fit for the team and company?

If you have put in the effort to know the business, then displaying your eagerness to join them as an accounting graduate should be easy. You should also try and consider some responses to potential questions you will be asked during the interview.
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A list of questions that can be asked include:

• Why do you choose to work in the Accounting field?
• Give an example of when you had to work as part of a team.
• How do you manage high-stress environments?

It is also crucial to brush up on your accounting knowledge as practical accounting questions can be asked. You will be able to present yourself confidently in an interview if you are equipped with the required practical skills for the role. Some examples include but are not limited to:

• What methods have you used for estimating bad debt?
• How do you evaluate the reliability of the financial data you obtain?
• Which accounting applications and software are you familiar with?

The key to success in an interview is practice, so be sure to check out our recent blog – 8 Common Accounting Graduate Job Interview Questions to learn more about why these questions are important for employers to ask and how to answer them correctly.
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Need help with securing a graduate position?

Whether it is to brush up on your accounting knowledge or gain practical software skills, BLC Training and Internship is the one-stop solution for all.

At BLC, we have helped many accounting graduates and skilled migrants to kick-start their dream careers in Australia. Discover how online study in Melbourne can help you with your Accounting career today.

If you would like to find out more or require training on accounting software like Xero and MYOB, we are here to help. Get in touch with one of our friendly staff members to book a free trial class today!

Accounting has been around since the beginning of trade. As competition for jobs has exponentially increased over the years and technology is changing the way we work, Accounting today is still one of the most promising professions.

More Useful Resource: Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping

One of the frequently asked questions regarding this matter is: “Is accounting a good career choice?” People may have different takes on this and the answer depends upon what you want in life, but if you’re looking for a career with good job prospects, more opportunities for advancement, and enough potential to keep you satisfied for decades, accounting is a field you need to take note of.

Here are 7 reasons why you should pursue an accounting career:

1. A career is always in demand.

Accounting is part of every business, no matter where you live or how the economy is doing. Governments, businesses, individuals, and not-for-profit organizations continually need accountants and bookkeepers to manage their budgets, deal with taxes, do financial reporting, and complete audits.

Accounting is not a profession that can be easily outsourced overseas due to the fact that the accountant needs to have a thorough understanding of local taxes and local business practices.

More Useful Resource: 8 Common Accounting Graduate Job Interview Questions

In other words, there will always be a job for you in this sector, especially if you do your best and keep up-to-date with changes in legislation and technology.

2. The pay is great.

Earning a generous salary so you can cover your expenses and live comfortably seems like a dream. A career in accounting has the potential to afford you that lifestyle.

While salaries vary depending on the field and employer, Australian accounting grads can expect to start on a salary from $50,000 or above as per PayScale.

For many accountants, especially those with CPAs/CA and advanced degrees, there is a real opportunity to double or triple that, sometimes after just a few years of work experience.

More Useful Resource: 6 reasons why you need practical accounting training

Your appetite for continued learning, in-depth experience in a wide variety of areas, positive attitude, and ability to meet deadlines all the time are some of the factors that are important for a successful accounting career.

Our recent blog Top 5 Accounting Skills Graduates Need for Career Success talks about the importance of having accounting qualifications such as CPAs/CA and other accounting skills graduates need for their career success.

3. Moving into other fields

An accounting career does not necessarily mean a public accountant or a bookkeeper. Your diversity and transferable skills within a company will make it easy for you to transition into another department if you ever feel like a change.

More Useful Resource: All You Need to Know About Accounting Internship

With a plethora of opportunities that will open over time, you can have a taste of any relevant field.  Jobs within the accounting field include:

• Accountant
• Accounting Assistant
• Accounting Clerk
• Accounting Manager
• Accounts Payable Clerk
• Accounts Receivable Clerk
• Bookkeeping
• Budget Analyst
• Certified Internal Auditor
• Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
• Comptroller/Controller
• CPA/CA
• Forensic Accounting
• Government Accounting
• Payroll Clerk
• Staff Accountant
• Tax Accountant

4. Stability

Accounting serves as the financial backbone of any self-respecting business. A career in Accounting can offer stability as there will always be a need for the skill set.

More Useful Resource: How To Get A Graduate Accounting Job In Australia

All companies, however big or small, will require services that offer accounting and financial expertise, making this a stable field to work in. Businesses need Accountants on both bad days and good days.

The benefits include regular hours, a salary- which increases over the years, leave, and the ability to plan for the future.

More Useful Resource: 5 Reasons Why a Career in Accounting and Bookkeeping is the Right Choice For You

These things are critical when starting a family or settling down. So you know your family and health will never be compromised.

5. Flexibility

A job in the accounting industry can place you to work anytime or anywhere you want. With some career fields, you may need to change your lifestyle and move to an industry hub to find work.

Accounting, however, tends to be a universal need. From farmers to software development companies, everyone could use the services of an accountant, analyst, or any other accounting role. This gives accountants or anyone in the industry a fair amount of flexibility when it comes to choosing where they want to travel or settle down.

6. Essential to Real Life

With the extensive knowledge and skill gained from schooling and work, it would make perfect sense to apply these experiences to your own life. Transferable skills such as recording expenses and preparing reports can come in handy in your day-to-day life.

These vital skills can assist in your budgeting when opting to purchase that dream home or car, or just day-to-day budgeting.

Being informed about the current industry and how a business operates also helps when making financial decisions such as applying for credit cards, lodging taxes, or starting a business yourself.

The 2015 S&P Global FinLit Survey found that only 33% of adults worldwide are financially literate. A career in Accounting puts you leaps and bounds above the rest of the world in terms of financial literacy.

7. Personal Growth

As well as growing professionally with a bundle of experiences in the industry, personal growth can arise from an accounting career trying and testing different roles within the company.

You may think of an accounting career as dull and number-crunching, but it’s more than that. Soft skills can be learned from even a simple collaboration with a fellow colleague to a large department meeting regarding finance.

Learning new skills as well as observing different careers can assist in narrowing down your options for your career goal and push you further into becoming a well-rounded employee and individual.

Where to find Accounting Training for Your Dream Career?

BLC Training and Internship is a prominent training provider that offers accounting principles skill set and the Cert IV accounting and bookkeeping course. Their focus lies in enhancing and developing your accounting career.

More Useful Resource: How Choosing a Career in Accounting Can Lead to a Stable and Rewarding Future

The Job Ready Accounting Program offered by BLC Training and Internship provides you technical skills and soft skills required for accounting roles in Australia.

This program is well-suited to recent accounting graduates, professionals contemplating a career change, and migrants looking for Australian Accounting experience.

If you have a head for numbers, a heart for earning a good paycheck, and a will to live life on your terms, accounting just might be perfect for you. Contact BLC Training today to find out how we can help you too just like we helped many other accounting graduates to land their dream accounting jobs in Australia!

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More Helpful Resources On Accounting:

How To Get A Graduate Accounting Job In Australia
5 Reasons Why a Career in Accounting and Bookkeeping is the Right Choice For You
Make Your Accounting CV Stand Out From The Crowd
Why your accounting degree alone is not enough?
How To Get A Graduate Accounting Job In Australia
8 Common Accounting Graduate Job Interview Questions
Top 5 Accounting Skills Graduates Need for Career Success
All You Need to Know About Accounting Internship
6 reasons why you need practical accounting training

It’s no secret that landing a high-flying career in the accounting field needs more than just good grades from your university. Especially the fact that being in an area where there is a big volume of graduates compared to the limited job opportunities available, you would definitely need to get ahead of the competition to get the first professional opportunity.

One of the most common ways available for accounting students to do is to participate in an Accounting Internship program.

Having a degree in Accounting is different when applied to a real work environment. An internship in Accounting can be extremely beneficial for graduates to have a taste of what the Accounting industry is really about as well as have hands-on accounting experience

So, how do you know whether you should do the internship and what are the things you should consider for your internship? Here are some common questions answered for you.

1. Typical Accounting Internship opportunities for Graduates

Even though you have a certificate in accounting, you must understand that not all accounting roles will be available to you. We have listed the top 6 accounting roles which are the most popular and common opportunities available for a fresh accounting graduate below:

• Accounts Payable
• Accounts Receivable
• Assistant Accountant
• Bookkeeper
• Payroll Officer
• Graduate Accountant

2. What does an Accounting intern do?

First of all, it is not a free ride you are expected to work, learn and contribute to the benefit of the organization. Your activities may include:

• Data entry. Add information to files. Update client files.
• Bookkeeping activities such as recording invoices or processing payments.
• Emails and correspondence. Writing to clients, the tax office, suppliers, and even clients, and customers to find out information or missing data. You could also be asking for clarification from the tax office about a particular deduction, or the processing of a return.
• Making and receiving phone calls including ones with clients and the tax office.
• Meetings are a constant part of any business. While you may be attending initially as an observer, the expectation is that as your confidence and experience grow, so will your participation.
• Developing your accounting skills using accounting software such as MYOB and Xero. There may also be different proprietary software that is great to learn and eventually master. This adds not only to your knowledge but also to your future employability experience.

3. How do I prepare for an Accounting Internship?

Preparation is all about organization and commitment. An accounting internship is all about preparing you to be a productive member of the accounting team or firm. The first thing to look at is business attire.

Clean and tidy is a must, so beards need to be trimmed and hair under control. Beware of personal odour too much garlic, for dinner or too much perfume is not a good idea.

Once you are personally groomed we now look at your mindset. This is an opportunity for you to shine. If they want you to file things for a day be the best filer ever. If they want you to learn new software throw yourself at the task at hand.

In a nutshell, you need to prepare your best attitude for the internship. You are supposed to ask questions and not know everything. Don`t try and bluff but have confidence that what you know will come in handy. If you know they use MYOB then make sure you have recent exposure to it. A refresher course or job-ready program would be ideal.

Plan your travel arrangements not to get there just on time be early and be prepared to work longer than expected. This shows commitment.

If you are preparing for job interview for accounting in Australia, You Can get help from our this article:

8 Common Accounting Graduate Job Interview Questions

4. Are Accounting internships paid?

The answer is usually no, but some organizations have policies that prevent them from not paying employees. If it is offered by all means agree to be paid.

Sometimes you may be offered an internship where you work full time up to 40 hours and are paid for half. This is great because you are part of the team and it is easy then to convert you to full-time paid.

Sometimes you may be offered a travel allowance instead of an hourly rate. Again this is common and covers your out-of-pocket expenses for getting to and from the job. $100 is considered a reasonable amount per week for 5 days.

Finally, if you are uncertain about the paid nature of the internship, ask the question. If done tactfully it will not offend. What normally happens with your interns in terms of payment or travel allowances? I just want to be clear so there is no confusion.

5. How can I improve my internship experience?

Improving your internship experience is to make it a win /win relationship.

You will gain;

• Experience in current practices.
• Learn new skills.
• Meet new people and expand your network.
• Learn about the corporate environment.
• Improve your language and writing skills.
• Create a profile of yourself with that employer.

The employer will gain;

• A new resource to help with the workload;
• Save money by not having to pay full market rates for someone with your qualifications during the internship period
• Develop a readymade employee for the future
• Try before you buy which can save a lot of time in recruitment
• Teach someone their way of doing things
• Learn from a recent graduate with new knowledge.

It is up to you to make yourself enjoy the experience. Sometimes you have to fake it till you make it. If you don’t know what that means, it means to continue to show enthusiasm even if the work is not interesting, because the employer is looking at how you handle all sorts of circumstances.

Accounting Internship makes a real difference in a competitive job market and Practical Accounting Training will boost your employability skills.

Get job-ready with a leading training provider specializing in accounting through Blue Lotus College Training and Internship. We help many accounting graduates to land their dream job in Australia just like you. Discover how Blue Lotus College Training and Internship can help you with your accounting career.