- What is an accounting office?
- What does work in an accounting office consist of?
- What is the difference between working in the accounting department and in an accounting office?
- What are the tasks of an accountant in an accounting office?
- Earnings during work in the accounting office
- Price schedule of services of an accounting office
After completing your studies in management, economics or finance and accounting, you can choose from various career paths.
You can find a job in the accounting department, where your main responsibilities will be, among others, setting salaries, creating invoices and preparing financial statements, and reporting new employees to the appropriate government institution.
You can choose a slightly distinct path by working in an accounting office.
Is it worth taking up such work? What is an accounting office? What is the difference between working in it and being an accountant in a company?
Are you wondering how work in the accounting office looks like? We answer these questions in the article below.
What is an accounting office?
According to the definition of the encyclopedia of management, an accounting office is “an entity conducting economic activity, providing services to individuals, enterprises, institutions and other economic entities.”
The Accounting office provides accounting services for clients—most often entrepreneurs—in the field of accounting and payroll. Sometimes it also keeps personnel documentation for companies.
At the beginning of the company’s development, entrepreneurs often try to keep their own accounts. However, as their business grows, they realize it is too difficult for them to reconcile all the responsibilities it entails.
Then it becomes necessary to establish an internal accounting department or hire an external accounting office.
What does work in an accounting office consist of?
The tasks and responsibilities of the accounting office are most often determined by the client, depending on what help they need.
An entrepreneur may make use of the following services in the accounting office:
- Comprehensive financial and accounting services for all forms of business activity records,
- Booking of sales documents and cash flow,
- Representation of his or her interests in bureaus and institutions,
- Financial and legal advice,
- Business consultancy,
- HR and payroll services,
- VAT settlements.
What is the difference between working in the accounting department and in an accounting office?
Working in the financial department of an enterprise comprises managing finances and carrying out various administrative matters.
An accountant usually deals with bookkeeping, invoicing, and preparing balance sheets and settlements with the tax office. A person employed in the internal accounting department documents all expenses incurred by the company.
An accountant often acts as an intermediary between the company and external institutions, for example, banks and offices. It also supervises the proper conduct of all concluded transactions so that they fully comply with applicable law.
Employees in the position of accountant, especially chief accountant, are heavily responsible for the company’s financial activities.
They handle the correct settlements with the tax office, and the mistakes they make may have serious consequences for the company, for example, ending in high fines.
Differences
A person employed as an accountant in an office usually takes care of several dozen clients at a time, handling all client matters related to accounting and invoicing.
An accountant deals with HR matters, and often advises the clients and represents them before various institutions.
Such an accountant handles all customer financial reporting. Sometimes, this position also requires individual assignments. These can be, for example, tasks related to the calculation of contributions, filling in tax returns, or preparing a financial analysis.
Working in an accounting office is associated with one more important aspect. The accountant talks to contractors and advising them on matters related to accounting.
He or she often meets with representatives of various institutions to provide explanations on behalf of clients.
What are the tasks of an accountant in an accounting office?
Because of technological progress, the work of an accountant is now easier than ten years ago. However, it is still difficult to imagine a person in this position who does not have the skills of quick counting.
Although most of this type of activity is currently performed by computers, an accounting office employee encounters numbers every day. People who have not achieved the best results in math are unlikely to fit this type of task.
Working as an accountant is distinguished by precisely defined guidelines. Here, there is no place for creative activities that require vivid imagination.
Therefore, if you dislike repetition and systematic action, you will not find yourself in the role of an accountant, also in an accounting office.
In this position you need to perform similar activities every day, week and month: calculate taxes, submit similar documents regarding clients.
Sometimes work is getting stressful, so you must relax a bit. Also, consider functional training. It will help strengthen your muscles and clean your mind.
It is a highly repetitive work. Which does not mean it cannot be interesting.
Although the work of an accountant comprises routine and similar activities, accounting offices still perform various functions.
Besides settling taxes and keeping documentation, they advise clients and analyze the market situation. Specialists from accounting offices often act as advocates for their clients during official proceedings.
Accountants have a lot of responsibility, for example, for the ledgers and the compliance of their calculations with the actual financial condition of a client. So, the work of an accountant can be exciting, and in its own way, varied. It is also associated with frequent contact with people, both officials and clients.
It is good to mention the criminal liability of the accountant. You need to know that the tax liability for unreliable settlements is borne by the entrepreneur, not the accounting office.
If he or she is accused of incorrectly keeping accounting, the entrepreneur may, however, claim compensation for damage caused by the office.
Earnings during work in the accounting office
The current market situation is very beneficial for financiers and accountants. Even though work is being progressively automated, accountants are still irreplaceable, and the demand for independent accounting specialists continues to grow.
Depending on the position in the company’s hierarchy, the location of the enterprise and its size, there may be significant differences in remuneration.
The amount of the salary also depends on the competences and scope of the duties.
Managers and directors are the most profitable jobs in finance.
The highest rates for specialist positions are most often offered to independent accounting specialists, chief accountants and their deputies, especially if they know a foreign language at a high level.
If you are going to assume a successful accounting office, it is really important to make accounting office business plan. It will help you with organising all the duties that you need to take care of and increase earnings.
The market situation in unstable. If you want to change your career, check how much dietician earns.
Price schedule of services of an accounting office
The prices offered by accounting offices vary depending on the individual valuation of specific orders. They can also depend on other aspects, such as:
- number of documents prepared during the month,
- number of employees in the company,
- type of accounting,
- legal form of the company.
An accountant employed in an accounting office deals with slightly different tasks than a specialist hired in an internal department of a company. Working in an office is not just about running administrative and accounting matters for clients. It does not end with keeping accounting books, invoicing, or preparing settlements.
An accounting specialist in an accounting office provides comprehensive services to clients. Besides keeping accounting books, settling wages and analyzing the financial situation, he or she acts as the clients’ advocate and represents them in various types of institutions.
She or he often advises clients on issues related to the company’s accounts and financial management.
Despite the repetition of some tasks, work in accounting involves, among others, conversations with various stakeholders and acting as an advisor. Thanks to that, contrary to the prevailing stereotypes, it does not have to be boring!
If you end your studies and work in the accounting office isn’t for you, maybe you should check how to find a job in HR. This profession may be more satisfying for you.