In the coming years, employers will continue seeking personnel in the following areas:

• General accounting – Businesses need staff accountants to handle work ranging from processing journal entries to performing account analysis and reconciliation to preparing tax filings. Senior accountants will be sought to manage more complex projects, including budgeting, financial statement preparation and risk assessments. Professionals with knowledge of SEC reporting will be especially valued.
  
• Financial analysis – Businesses have an ongoing need for practitioners who can evaluate financial data, identify trends and anomalies, and participate in forecasting and budgeting. These professionals may also be asked to help their organizations determine how to improve profitability or provide support for strategic decisions.
  
• Internal audit – Internal auditors, particularly those with the certified internal auditor (CIA) credential, will remain in strong demand. Public and private companies alike are expected to continue hiring aggressively in this area in an effort to improve accountability. Consulting firms offering outsourced and co-sourced internal audit services also seek these professionals.
  
• International accounting – Foreign companies listed on U.S. stock exchanges and overseas subsidiaries of U.S. companies must also comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, fueling the need for accountants with knowledge of U.S.-based regulations who can work successfully in an international environment. In addition, companies adopting International Financial Reporting Standards need accountants with expertise in international accounting rules who can help their organizations transition to new standards.
  
• Forensic accounting – As corporate fraud has become more difficult to identify, the need for accountants with strong forensic skills is rising. Government agencies, public accounting firms and specialty consulting practices seek these professionals to help prevent and detect corporate financial fraud.