I would like to work as an in the industry of governmental accounting as a researcher.
Section 1 – Self Assessment
1. What skills, knowledge, attitudes, and/or aptitudes do I have which will contribute to success in this career?
I will have to acquire formal knowledge from my university education including an accounting degree that will ensure I will be able to relate the practical aspects of accountancy to theories and the latest research. I also aim to acquire this knowledge from extracurricular activities at the university. Furthermore it may be beneficial and realistic to acquire knowledge in other fields of accounting before getting into research itself. It may also be a good idea to get experience as a Certified Public Accountant working in fields such as auditing, tax accounting, financial accounting or any field that will allow a graduate to gain experience. A Phd in Accounting focusing on research would also be beneficial to study while acquiring knowledge, skills and expertise in the workplace through internships and consultancy work.
The skills required for the job will include knowing computer systems and applications, having the ability to stay up-to-date on best practices and current work in the field. This means constant updating of knowledge through readings, journals and seminars. Skills such as knowing the limitations of research and problems of research that need to be fixed are also necessary skills along with a need to understand and view critically the work of academics and other researchers. To know when and where the best contribution can be made and to improve on research may be necessary and an ability to acquire experimental, mathematical and computational research is important to to show how data is related to current research. Other skills include meeting deadlines, prioritizing work and defending arguments in research when required.
I believe I will have to develop many attitudes depending on the work I am performing. For example when I am defending research it may be necessary to be assertive but when collaborating with other researchers it may be necessary to develop cooperative attitudes. Hard work, determination and concentration are all necessary attitudes for a job as a research accountant.
2. Do I have any weaknesses that may limit my success in this career?
I believe at this stage of my career and in my studies that I have some weakness including not ca being assertive with more senior researchers and managers. Sometimes I can lack motivation when studying and time management is also often a weakness. Furthermore I have a lack of skills and knowledge about various fields of accounting. I also do not know the latest trends in the practical environment. This lack of knowledge may limit my career early on but such weakness can be improved on over time. I also believe that a requirement for other experiences outside the field of accounting may limit my career. I am a reasonably young student and still want to travel, do sports and have hobbies that are not related to my career. If one of these hobbies becomes a job I would have to make a decision between my career and my hobbies and passions.
Section 2: Opportunities in My Chosen Field 1. Are there a lot of people wanting careers in this field? (Why?)
There are a number of people wanting to become researchers for universities because they are tenured positions and very secure and well respected jobs. There is also a demand for researchers in the private sector however it is a bit more of an obscure field of accounting so it was difficult to find exact statistics on how many students want to become a research accountant. If I am to become a university researcher it could be competitive and therefore it may require that I gain skills outside of research in the university.
1. What will happen to jobs in this field in the future? (For example, think about these issues: Is this a growing or a shrinking career path?)
The BLS reported that employment of all postsecondary teachers, including accounting researchers, was expected to grow by 17% between 2010 and 2020. While many postsecondary teachers were projected to retire in the coming years, competition for tenure-track jobs was expected to remain strong. There will always be a need for forensic accountants with research skills and other researchers in other fields of accountancy. I believe that these statistics may show a demand but do not take into account changes in technology that may see more accountancy jobs be outsourced to companies used cheap labour over the internet.
2. How do I compare to other candidates for the job I want? (i.e., Do I stand out from the crowd? Why?)
I don’t stand out from other candidates at the moment but I do have an aptitude for research where other accountancy students do not. I believe that because I am good at acquiring knowledge and research skills, that it will be possible for me to have a good chance of getting the job I want. I also believe that I would enjoy the practical side of accountancy work and therefore I think I would be a great well rounded candidate. I am also realistic and know that getting experience in other fields of accounting will add to my expertise as a researcher and therefore I have other opportunities outside the job that I want.
Section 3: Career Plans
1. What are my short term (1-3 year) career goals?
My short term goal is to get the best marks possible in my accounting degree and to be able to further my studies by acquiring a Master and Phd in accounting. I also aim to do internships and get any experience possible to know if being a researcher or practicing accountant is a better option. I aim to work on my attitudes now like doing speech classes or other extracurricular activities to be a more assertive and articulate accountant. I also aim to talk to other academics about how to keep motivated and focused as an academic and the best way to balance professional and personal life.
2. What are my intermediate (3-5 years) goals?
In 3-5 years time, I would like to acquire my Phd and to become a research accountant. I aim to stay in contact with the practical side of the industry by doing consultancy work for companies outside the university. By this time I am to have all the attitudes that a researcher should have and to work on any skills and knowledge that I need to continue doing my job well. I hope to have made some publications about accountancy research.
3. What are my long term (5-10 year) goals?
I aim to get tenure at a university and to continue with producing a large body of successful research that can be used internationally. I hope to attend seminars, conferences and to have flexibility and control over my career. I would like to become a respected person in the field of accountancy and to develop both personally and professionally.
Section 4: Implement your plan.
Section 5: Revise your plan as necessary.
This includes monitoring your progress, asking for feedback on your progress from others, comparing your results to your planned objectives, and then revising your plan as necessary.
