Accountants have one of the most important jobs in any business. If you’re looking to enter this industry, know that you are the cream of the crop and that major money is what you’ll not only be working with, but have the potential to earn!
Quick Steps to landing an Accountant Job
1: Get an Education – Earn a Bachelor’s Degree or Diploma
2: Apply for Accounting Internships
3: Find an entry-level job in Accounting
4: Acquire the necessary skills set
What do Accountants do?
An accountants role is one that is extremely important and detrimental to the overall success of the business. They handle all things finance related and ensuring financial health is usually a pivotal objective for any business.
Financial Forecasting
Accountants act as the financial manager of the business, at times they are external employees to keep things strictly professional and above board. They make sure that the business is operating at a profit and try to work out if the business will continue being profitable for the foreseeable future.
Compiling Financial Documents
Along with financial forecasting, the accountant will compile financial documents called “financial statements” to ensure that the business is making money and turning profits. These statements have to be carefully evaluated to make good financial decisions for the business going forward.
Taxation
Most of what an accountant does, is making sure taxes are getting done and filed to SARS on time to avoid penalties. Any business that owns assets and is making money from either selling a service or product needs to file their taxes. The accountant is solely responsible for making sure that this task gets done timeously and accurately.
Education Requirements
We at Belview cannot stress enough how much a qualification will help you in your journey to becoming an accountant. The ICB has developed a programme for future accountants and Bellview has the privilege of bringing this course straight to your door!
Study ICB Public Sector Accounting with Bellview and reap the following benefits:
- Study from home
- You choose when to study
- Student Support
- Affordable Pricing
Skills
Accountants have to be absolutely meticulous in their approach to work. They have to be focused and analytical to ensure no mistakes are made that could cause financial harm to the business.
Analytical skills – Usually people innately are either analytical or not. This however, can be taught along the way. Being focused and being able to analyse huge numbers of data will be of the utmost importance in an accounting role. Try developing this skill as it is a major one for any hiring manager when recruiting for an accountant.
Time Management skills – The ability to manage your time will be essential to the success of the business. Accountants usually face major deadlines and time crunches on certain tasks. Taxes, as mentioned earlier, is a time sensitive task and will definitely need you to make sure things get done timeously.
Excel Proficiency – Old faithful excel, and yes you read correctly, excel is one of the most used accounting platforms that is used by both the old and new generation accountants. Spreadsheets will be your life-line and therefore if you feel this skills needs to be brushed up on, then we suggest you get cracking.
What you Can do Without an Accounting Qualification
We understand that formal studies are not for everyone and that some might not be in a financial position yet to enroll for a qualification. But do not fret, try some easy ways to start your accounting career.
Start an Accounting Social Media Page
Post alot and post often, create a social media page and utilise it to its fullest. By posting about what you are passionate about, you will increase your credibility in the industry and create traction for yourself.
Find Some Industry Experience
While you are in the process of enrolling or you might even still be considering accounting as a career path, why not apply for an internship. Internships are a great way of getting industry exposure and real life, hands on experience in a company.
Create A Network Of People In The Finance Industry
LinkedIn is one of the world’s most popular professional social networking platforms. Simply create a profile and start reaching out to people and companies you think will benefit from your skills in the future. By doing this, you are projecting accounting jobs by securing your connections and putting in the ground work.
Other Similar Careers in Accounting
Not many people start out the career in accounting straight off the bat. There are many alternatives if you are just starting out. We’ve compiled a list of other positions for you to consider:
- Bookkeeping
- Tax Manager
- Accounting Clerk
- Financial Manager
- Payroll Manager
- Accounts Receivable Administrator
Each of these roles can be a stepping stone into the world of finance. If you’re interested in any of these career paths, get in touch with us today to find out which course is right for you.
How To Apply For An Accounting Course
Getting started with your journey to becoming an accountant is quick and easy. We have a few simple ways for you to apply. Choose the one that works best for you and take the next step towards your future in finance.
You can apply in the following ways:
- Complete the online application form
- Speak to one of our course specialists for expert advice
- Call us on this number: 021 838 8280
- Send us a message on WhatsApp or call us on: 069 962 1495
Can’t find the course or info you’re looking for? Don’t worry — we’re here to help. Contact one of our course specialists today, and we’ll make sure you get the answers and support you need to get started on your accounting career.
Frequently Asked Questions
The time it takes depends on the course you choose. For example, the ICB National Certificate in Bookkeeping takes about 16 months. If you go further, the Technical Financial Accounting Diploma can take up to 28 months.
Yes, but you don’t have to be a math genius! You’ll need to understand basic math like adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing. These skills help you work with numbers and manage money correctly.
Accountants in South Africa earn different amounts depending on their experience. On average, they make about R299,215 per year. That’s roughly R24,900 per month. In big cities like Cape Town, they might earn even more.
Yes, you can! Institutions like Bellview Institute offer courses that don’t require a matric certificate. You can start with courses like the ICB National Certificate in Bookkeeping if you’ve completed Grade 10. This way, you can still pursue your dream of becoming an accountant.
Author: Cindy N Pieters
Date Published: October 1, 2020