What Does a Small Business Expect from a New Accounting Graduate?

At a time when technological jobs continue to grow, some traditional “trades” seem to get lost in the shuffle. That would certainly include a “trade” like accountancy.

Accountants have been around for centuries. Every business, large and small, needs at least one reliable accountant or bookkeeper to help keep track of the business’s financial position and performance.

Because of the rising costs of major degree programs, many of today’s accountants are coming out of vocational programs. It affords them a chance to get a coveted education. After all, how is a future accountant going to benefit from knowing about 13^th century literature?

If you are looking for a career opportunity and feel comfortable working with numbers, accounting might be the right vocation for you.

What Does a Small Business Expect from a New Accounting Graduate?

In medium to large-sized businesses, accounting personnel tend to be specialized. Accounting departments are run by Controllers who manage bookkeepers and accountants. The bookkeepers are responsible for payroll, accounts payable, and accounts receivable while the accountants are responsible for tracking assets, recording journal entries (accounting adjustments in the general ledger), and preparing financial statements.

The allocation of responsibilities is very different in a small business environment where accounting personnel are required to multi-task. It’s important to remember that small businesses operate with smaller budgets. They can’t afford to hire more employees than are necessary. That’s why small business owners favor educated and trained accounting graduates who can handle every aspect of the accounting process.

As you contemplate working in accounting with a small business, here is a list of duties that would likely be your responsibility:

• Accounts payable – paying the company’s bills
• Accounts receivable – receiving, depositing, collections, and recording the company’s incoming revenue
• Payroll – preparing and disbursing the company’s payroll to employees
• Journal entries – preparing entries to make adjustments to the company’s general ledger
• Tracking assets – keeping track of the company’s assets (furniture, fixtures, machines, computers, etc.)
• Data entry – inputting all accounting transactions into the company’s software platform of choice
• Preparing financial statements – balance sheet, income statement, owner’s equity statement
• Other – interacting with tax accountants/banks, doing inventory counts, etc.

If that seems like a lot of responsibility for one person, you are correct. That’s why small business owners like to hire educated and trained accounting graduates with a well-rounded education in accounting.

How Do You Prepare for a Small Business Accounting Position?

While most small business owners will have a little knowledge related to accounting/bookkeeping, it’s not something with which they want to manage. They have more pressing responsibilities like running the business. Since they may want minimal involvement in the accounting function, they hire employees who have knowledge about the many aspects of the accounting function.

Where can you get the knowledge you would need to secure a good accounting job with a small business? There are two realistic options. Option one would be securing a 4-year business degree. In days gone by, a traditional college degree were preferred by industry, big and small. The problem with this option is that those degrees take at least 4-5 years to earn.

The second option would likely be more preferable. Securing a diploma from a vocational school that offers reputable accounting programs. The advantages of this option include:

• All classes are focused on the accounting vocation, less wasted time on unnecessary classes
• Diplomas/degrees/certifications can be earned in one to two years
• Vocational schools are affordable and do offer scholarships and loans for those that qualify
• Such diplomas are viewed favorably by the industry

It’s important to highlight the last item on this list. Small business owners and larger corporations are very much aware of the strain that pursuing traditional 4-year degrees puts on today’s students. This has driven even larger corporations to recognize that a prospective employee with a focused diploma or degree is absolutely worthy of consideration for most accounting jobs.

What Do You Learn During an Accounting Diploma Program?

So, what would you learn? You would get intense exposure to the basics of accounting, often referred to as Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). You would also receive training in basic accounting processes like accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll preparation, and financial reporting.

At a more functionally specific level, you would get exposure and training on cost accounting for manufacturing businesses, tax accounting (per ITS codes), and sole proprietorship and partnership accounting. All these areas would be of interest to a new accounting graduate who wanted to work in a small business environment.

What are Some of the Accounting Technologies You Will Use?

The days of recording manual accounting entries are officially a thing of the past. Knowing this, a good vocational program will make sure you are adequately educated in the technological side of accounting and bookkeeping.

You will find great value in learning about “pc-based” software programs like SAGE and QuickBooks. You will also get exposure to standard software platforms like Microsoft Office and their many components (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint).

Final Thoughts

A good vocational accounting program will afford you an opportunity to get your life started off on the right foot. You can get that coveted diploma without compromising your financial future. It’s something you must consider closely.

Accounting is a well-respected vocation, something every company needs in one form or another. You would be well-advised to pursue a diploma from a reputable vocational program like Interactive College of Technology. It won’t take long for you to secure an accounting job with a good small business after you have graduated.

Want to Learn More?

Sign up for our Accounting & Professional Business Applications training program where you’ll learn the fundamentals of accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, general ledgers, reporting, data entry, and office automation.

So, let’s take the first step together! Contact us now to learn more.

• What Does a Small Business Expect from a New Accounting Graduate?
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