ACCOUNTING OFFICE POSITIONS
BY KURT FILIPOVITCH & CO

   If you are considering a finance- related career, you may be wondering what positions are available in an accounting firm. Listed below are staff classification levels that can be found in many accounting offices.

Paraprofessionals and Interns
Individuals at this level of employment normally have a basic understanding of accounting, bookkeeping, or tax preparation, but they may not have obtained a college degree that includes a significant concentration of accounting or tax courses. Paraprofessionals are expected to perform the following functions in an accountant’s office:
• Become familiar with the accounting firm’s policies and procedures.
• Assist professional staff in performing controllership and bookkeeping services for clients.
• Assist professional staff in preparing work papers, trial balances, depreciation schedules; entering data for computer applications; and preparing engagement correspondence.
• Assist professional staff in gathering data for tax return preparation, maintaining the tax library, and maintaining client tax files. The job of paraprofessional is both challenging and rewarding. With experience and supervision, individuals at this level can assume many of the responsibilities held by staff accountants. However, advancement
to higher professional staff levels usually requires the completion of a college degree with a major in accounting or an equivalent number of accounting and business courses.

Staff Accountant
Individuals at this level normally have a college degree with a major in accounting or another related business field and may have from zero to three years of work experience. Staff Accountants are expected to perform the following functions:
• Understand the rules, regulations, and code of conduct of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).
• Progress professionally by working toward passing the CPA exam as soon as possible.
• If assigned primarily to financial statement engagements, become familiar with pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standard Board (FASB), AICPA; when assigned to governmental engagements, become familiar with pronouncements of the Generally Accepted Accounting Standards (GASB); become proficient at preparing financial statements; obtain exposure on the type of financial statement engagements offered by the firm; and assume responsibility for unaudited financial statement engagements or segments of audits under the supervision of more experienced staff.
• If assigned primarily to tax engagements, become familiar with pertinent Internal Revenue Code (IRC) sections and
regulations; obtain a working knowledge of research techniques and the various research sources in the firm library; become proficient in the preparation of corporate, individual, partnership, fiduciary and other tax returns prepared by the firm; and assume responsibility for the completion of tax returns under the supervision of more experienced staff.

Senior in Charge
Individuals at this level of employment have had a minimum of two years’ experience as a staff accountant and normally have passed the CPA exam. Seniors are expected to perform the following functions:
• Know and understand the reasons behind the firm’s policies and procedures.
• Possess technical knowledge sufficient to supervise staff accountants.
• Begin acquiring skills necessary to develop quality client relationships and loyalty.
• If assigned primarily to financial statement engagements, begin to develop a command of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Other Comprehensive Basis of Accounting (OCBOA), unique or specialized accounting principles, and financial statement presentations; obtain a thorough understanding of generally accepted auditing standards and common audit procedures and techniques; and assume responsibility for efficiently supervising both audit and non-audit engagements.
• If assigned primarily to tax engagements, begin developing a command of pertinent IRC sections and regulations; become proficient at tax research, including a knowledge of the reference sources available to the firm; and assume responsibility for the supervision of tax return preparation engagements.

Manager/Supervisor
Individuals at this level are CPAs and normally have a minimum of three years’ experience as a senior (in charge) accountant (or equivalent experience) and have exhibited technical proficiency and the ability to supervise complete engagements. Managers are expected to perform the following functions:
• Plan, supervise, and complete routine engagements.
• Supervise both staff accountants and seniors, provide feedback, and evaluate their progress.
• Become experts in their assigned areas.
• Develop new client contacts and relationships beneficial to the firm.
• Assist in firm administrative functions as assigned by the partners.
• Recognize opportunities to provide additional services to existing clients.

Partner
Individuals at this level are CPAs and normally have a minimum of three years’ experience as a manager (supervisor or equivalent experience as deemed appropriate) and have exhibited superior technical competence, managerial abilities, and the ability to attract and develop new clients. Partners are expected to perform the following functions:
• Provide firm leadership through example. Be ultimately responsible for all engagements performed under them.
• Attract and develop new clients. Be an asset to the firm through civic and community activities.
• Perform assigned administrative duties. In addition, each staff member should possess technical knowledge, analytical and judgmental skills, leadership and training abilities, ability to create and maintain client relationships, professional demeanor and appearance, and a positive and professional attitude.

Located in Carlsbad, Kurt Filipovitch & Co., Certified Public Accountants, is a full-service accounting
firm, providing tax, accounting auditing, computer systems installations, business consulting, and financial planning services. For more information, call (760) 602-8200.