THE FACTS ON ACCOUNTING JOBS

Why go into accounting? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook, accounting and auditing positions are “expected to grow by 22 percent between 2008 and 2018, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.” In fact, they predict that over the course of the next decade the accounting field will produce roughly 279,400 jobs.

The BLS claims that the reason for this strong growth is “an increase in the number of businesses, changing financial laws and corporate governance regulations, and increased accountability for protecting an organization’s stakeholders.” Another reason, as seen in other fields we’ve profiled in this series, is the retirement of baby boomers and the slew of positions that are opening up because of this.

HOT SPOTS

Here are some accounting-focused job boards and resources:

• CareerBuilder Accounting
• Accounting Jobs Today
• Five Reasons to Become a CPA
• Roger CPA Resources

HOT TIPS

When it comes to standing out from the competition, here are three ways to set yourself apart in the finance field:

Computer skills:  Become proficient in the accounting and auditing software relevant to the types of positions you are targeting.

Advanced degree: Earn your master’s degree in accounting or an MBA with an emphasis in accounting to allow for greater Advancement opportunities.

Specialization: Find a way to specialize in a certain kind of accounting. For instance, globalization has resulted in the need for accountants who have an expertise in services related to international trade, mergers, and acquisitions. There are also “forensic” accountants who focus on catching individuals and companies committing fraud. Many state and local law enforcement agencies hire forensic accountants.

GET OUT OF THE HOT SEAT

If you are you good with numbers and like paying attention to detail, accounting may be for you. It’s a prestigious field with a variety of specialties and a lot of room for advancement. It’s not too late to consider a change and get some career (and financial) stability in return.

Michael “Dr. Woody” Woodward, PhD is a coach and author of The YOU Plan: A 5-step Guide to Taking Charge of Your Career in the New Economy. Dr. Woody is president of the consulting firm HCI, sits on the Academic Advisory Board of the Florida International University Center for Leadership, and holds a PhD in organizational psychology.

THE FACTS ON GREEN JOBS

The Pew Charitable Trusts stated in a 2009 report that “clean energy economy jobs” grew by 9.1% between 1998 and 2007, compared to a growth of 3.7% for all jobs, a fact that points to the sustainability of an industry that is all about… well… sustainability.

As further support, the number of job postings including the term “green” on Indeed.com, which searches thousands of job sites, has grown 120% since 2005. And job postings with the term “environmental” have grown more than 50%. This shows a clear rise in interest in this industry.

What’s more, on CNN Money’s list of the “100 Best Jobs in America” (in terms of pay, growth and quality of life), environmental engineering ranked #5 with a projected growth of 31% over the next 10 years. This is a great example of a “green collar” job.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics, our go-to source for job trends, received funding this year to collect data on green jobs, which shows the growing presence of the industry. The BLS is still compiling all of the statistics and profiling for the field, but the information on careers in wind energy is now up.

HOT POSITIONS

The Bureau of Labor Statistics breaks green jobs down into two categories: positions in which workers create green goods or provide green services and positions where employees are there to make their company more environmentally friendly. Here are some great options in both categories:

• Sustainability coordinators
• Carbon brokers
• Environmental educators
• Eco tour guides
• Urban/land-use planner
• Environmental Engineer
• Interface designer
• Interior/exterior designer (LEED standards)
• Construction of solar thermal plants
• Forester
• Solar panel installer
• Wind turbine fabricator

HOT SPOTS

Here are some green-only job boards and resources:

• Grist
• Sustainable Business
• Idealist
• GreenBiz
• Clean Economy Network

HOT TIP

The credentials for green jobs are still being developed and debated, but familiarize yourself with the various certifications and requirements that currently exist. Not all green jobs require them, but they could set you apart.

Key green credentials:

• USGBC LEED Certifications
• BPI Individual Building Certification
• NABCEP Solar Thermal Installation Certification
• RESNET Certified Energy Auditor or Rater
• AEE Energy Certifications
• Green Advantage Certified Practitioners

CONCLUSION

If green is your color, consider going green in your job search for a stable, rewarding career. Why not help the environment while making a good living?

Dr. Woody is author of The YOU Plan and is an executive coach trained in organizational psychology. 

When it comes to knowing yourself, you have to start with values. The values you espouse are vital to the choices you make and ultimately dictate the way you live. Values can be thought of as the principals you hold near and dear. Your values are the code you live by. They are the rules you follow and the ethics you adhere to when dealing with others.

The following is an excerpt from my upcoming book The YOU Plan:

“Who you are drives how you work, play, live, and ultimately shine. Your experiences, upbringing, and culture have acted to shape the person you have become and the values you espouse. The values you espouse ultimately influence the decisions you make and the path you choose to follow. Your values are the lens you view the world through… There is no doubt that our personal values play a critical role in the choices we make and the careers we pursue. Yet, the unfortunate reality is that most of us can’t articulate our values. Often this leads us to making bad decisions. These bad decisions tend to land us on career paths that aren’t truly fulfilling and sometimes, even toxic.”

When resetting your career focus and re-engaging in your career journey, you have to be mindful of how your values play into your decisions. Every organization has its own unique culture driven by a set of core values. It’s up to you to understand what these values are and determine how well they match with yours. However, before you can do this you must be sure to have a good handle on your values.

So, how do you assess your values? Doing a quick web search for values checklists will provide a lot of results. The following are some on-line values assessments:

http://www.career-test.biz/values_assessment.htm

http://career-advice.monster.com/job-search/Career-Assessment/Work-Values-Check-List/article.aspx

The key to using any adjective checklist effectively is taking the time to narrow down your values to your top five. This is a much tougher challenge than it seems because it requires making tough choices. Whenever I have taken groups through values exercises they always struggle with this, so take your time.

Regardless of the checklist you use, you really need to ask yourself if the values you chose are really yours. A good way to test whether or not you truly value something is to ask yourself the following questions:

• Are you willing to fight for it?
• Are you willing to sacrifice for it?
• Are you willing to pay for?

Any good career plan starts with introspection. A critical component to the introspective process is assessing values. Keep in mind, values are a major driver in decision making. We are in uncertain times and successfully navigating these times will require using your values as a compass. When it comes to stepping back and creating a YOU Plan, be sure to start with assessing your values.

Good luck,

Dr. Woody

To learn more about Dr. Woody’s upcoming book, The YOU Plan, go to www.TheYouPlan.com

As an organizational psychologist, I believe there are three ways you can react to the challenge of uncertain times: 

          – you can cower and hide,

          – you can buckle down and survive, or

          – you can step-up and thrive

For those looking to step-up and thrive, it’s time to start planning. Planning begins with assessing your values, intrinsics, passions, and then leveraging your essence (brnad) and creating a roadmap. I like to refer to this as the VIPER approach to re-establishing your career in the new economy. So, look out for more information on the VIPER model in upcoming blogs! 

Remember, if you want to shine in 2009, it’s time to step-up and start planning.

-Dr. Woody

To see my Shine in ’09 speech go to www.DrWoody.com