Career-related topic: Accounting
Top Ten Ranked Resources:
#1: Wikipedia, URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accountancy
Description and overview:
Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia. People can create an account on Wikipedia and add information to the pages. This allows experts in the fields to compile comprehensive information about a key term or topic. There is a Contents section that allows you to click the section and it will take you right there. Other key terms are written in blue font and provide a link to their descriptive page. Resources are provided at the bottom of the page.
Why the resource is a favorite?
I have always found Wikipedia to be one of my favorite resources. Although there is question to the validity of its information, it provides detailed definitions, history, and background of topics or terms. I also find it useful that in the description it provides links to other key terms also defined in Wikipedia so that if you are reading a description and want to know more about a term, you can just click it and it goes right there. It also gives good hierarchal structures and diagrams.
#2: California Board Of Accountancy, URL: http://www.dca.ca.gov/cba/index.shtml
Description and overview:
This is the website belonging to the California Board of Accountancy, which is responsible for administering and licensing the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. This site provides information for becoming a CPA in the state of California. It has information about the licensing process, the requirement, the application, and the tests. It provides information to ‘what’s new’ and ‘laws and rules’ (like pending legislation that will affect CPA’s). It also provides information about the California Board of Accountancy; contact information, their mission statement, vision, and a history.
Why the resource is a favorite?
It provides all the information necessary for the process of trying to become a CPA. I didn’t know much and when I visited this site it was very helpful to detail out the requirements and the process of trying to become a licensed CPA. It also provided quick links and frequently asked questions that are very helpful. It provides contact information so that if you have a question you can call and speak to a live person who can help you. Especially useful to me was the ‘1st Time Exam Handbook.’ Overall it is just a very informative resource for how to become a CPA.
#3: NetMBA – Business Knowledge Center, URL: http://www.netmba.com/accounting/
Description and overview:
This website provides useful information on some of the technical aspects of accounting, or the rules of accounting. It provides links that further describe: The accounting process, source documents, general journal entries, general ledger, trial balance, adjusting entries, preparing the financial statements, closing entries, reversing entries, and the chart of accounts.
Why the resource is a favorite?
Trying to remember all the rules of accounting can get overwhelming! This is a great resource, and a personal favorite of mine, because it provides a summary of the key topics in accounting. It’s great to have a resource like this to rely on when you need to be refreshed on a rule or a concept. I have found it very helpful!
#4: Becker Professional Education – URL: http://www.becker.com/accounting/cpaexamreview/
Description and overview:
Becker CPA Exam Review offers a review course to help prepare individuals to take the CPA exam. The exam has 4 parts (4 different tests) covering 4 different topics. This service provides either review in the classroom setting or review you can do at home on your own computer. The website offers information about rates, success stories, their method, and much more.
Why the resource is a favorite?
A main goal of mine is to become a CPA and therefore passing the CPA exam is one of the components to this goal. The Becker review seems like an awesome resource to help me achieve my goal. I like that they are up to date on the changes that are coming to the exam starting in 2011. I also like that they are the most trusted name in CPA review.
#5: AICPA – URL: http://www.aicpa.org/Pages/Default.aspx
Description and overview:
The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) is the National professional association for CPA’s in the United States. The AICPA is a group that establishes a Code of Professional Conduct for CPA’s. This site provides information on membership in the AICPA, news and publications, interest areas, and research.
Why the resource is a favorite?
Most CPA’s join the AICPA and follow the Code of Professional Conduct it lays out and therefore the information here is important to any accountant. This site is a favorite also because it provides a ‘Interest Area Highlights’ section. This section is grouped by interest areas, such as Accounting & Auditing, Tax, Young CPA Network, and Professional Ethics. I love this organization because it provides up to date articles and information on each of the topics. It also provides an ‘Upcoming Events’ section that I imagine will be useful once I become a CPA.
#6: FASB – URL: http://www.fasb.org/home
Description and overview:
The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) is the designated private sector organization in the United States that establishes financial accounting and reporting standards. The common set of standards and procedures that accountants must follow is called generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The FASB establishes GAAP through ‘Statements of Financial Accounting Standards.’ This website provides information on these standards, the activities of the board, and the activities of the Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF).
Why the resource is a favorite?
The rules created by the FASB will be the rules the accountant will follow, so it is important to be knowledgeable about them! And this is the site to find information on the FASB. Also I like it because of the information on the EITF. The EITF is important to a CPA because they consider emerging issues and try to decide what the rule will be to provide guidance on the issue. It is important for CPA’s to know what issues are currently being talked about because the due process system gives interested parties opportunity to make their views known. In this way CPA’s can fight for what they think should be the rule.
#7: Deloitte – URL: http://www.deloitte.com/view/en_US/us/index.htm
Description and overview:
Deloitte is one of the Big 4 Accounting Firms in the United States. Deloitte LLP professionals provide audit and risk, consulting, financial advisory or tax services to some of the biggest companies in the world.
Why the resource is a favorite?
Of the Big 4 accounting firms, Deloitte is where I will be working and therefore their website provides useful information for me. I like it because it helps me understand what’s expected of me, I can look up things like benefits and salary. Also it’s a favorite because I like to learn the history and more about the company that I will be working for.
#8: Accountants and Auditors – Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition. URL: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos001.htm
Description and overview:
The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides information on the accounting occupation. The information is on nature of the work, training, other qualifications, and advancement, employment, job outlook, projections, earnings, wages, related occupations, and sources of additional information.
Why the resource is a favorite?
I think this is a great resource. As they update the information I can stay current on the occupation. It also provides suggestions for related occupations if I end up wanting to change my job. The information on the job outlook and earnings I find to be particularly useful.
#9: AccountingWEB – URL: http://www.accountingweb.com/about
Description and overview:
AccountingWEB provides accounting news, information, tips, tools, resources and insight–everything you need to help individuals prosper and enjoy the accounting profession even more. The website is broken into sections like, News, Tax, Accounting & Auditing, Technology, Education & Careers, Workplace Fitness, Bloggers Crew, and Watchdog.
Why the resource is a favorite?
I like this website because it provides up to date news and information about what happening in the accounting profession. It pulls all the news related to accounting into one place. Also I like it because it is separated into different sections in Accounting, like Tax, Auditing, etc. This feature is nice because I will be working in Tax and it allows me to have a more specified search.
#10: Accounting Jobs Today – URL: http://www.accountingjobstoday.com/
Description and overview:
Accounting Jobs Today is a career resource dedicated to accounting and finance professionals nationwide. In addition to our accounting job board and job tools, we offer several career resources including accounting job descriptions, accounting resumes, salary reviews, accounting schools and more.
Why the resource is a favorite?
I like this resource because if I ever wanted to change jobs this website can help. It allows you to post a resume and search for accounting jobs. This will be very helpful to knowing what jobs are out there.
[Thanks to CJ for sharing her favorite career resources list for accounting careers.]
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I had great success with Bisk’s CPA Exam Review Course. I definitely suggest it!
BTW, California Board of Accountancy is now tweeting helpful tips for accounting students, first time exam and licensing applicants, and CPAs @CBANews.