One in four employees aged 16-34 is currently considering a new career as the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic bites. Positions available in the various areas of finance include for bookkeepers, credit controllers, debt collectors and financial managers, as
well as assistant accountants and chartered accountants. The basic nature of these kinds of jobs remain the same despite advancing computer systems: manage and carry out the administration of financial transactions that take place in an organisation.
Bookkeepers keep record of all the financial transactions that take place in an organisation. Public and municipal services, commerce, industry and educational institutions employ bookkeepers; private and part-time owner – managed practices have also become more popular.
Nonhlanhla Dube, Career Consultant at Boston City Campus says that, “Bookkeeping is considered a scarce skill (visit www.fasset.org.za ) and therefore is a career that should be considered by those that are numerically and detail oriented, as well as committed to finding secure employment”. She mentions that South Africa has a shortage of people working in Bookkeeping and Accounting positions. These positions are consistently in the top ten scarce skills. Positions exist in corporate and industry, as well as Government and municipalities.
The credit controller (see here: https://www.boston.ac.za/boston-city-campus/qualifications/accounting-p…) is responsible for opening new client accounts, managing monthly payments and handling all liaison and administrative duties arising from purchase transactions.
With the Boston Diploma in Financial Accounting, career opportunities such as assistant accountant serve as either a job, or a good starting point from which to advance if you are ambitious in your accounting! Opportunities for advancement include financial accountant, financial manager and financial director as you gain more experience and skills.
Career opportunities where skills are considered scarce include: Trainee Accountant, Debt Collector, Finance Manager, Management Consultant, Office Administrator, General Accountant, General Clerk, Accounts Clerk and Payroll Clerk. The Boston Higher Certificate in Accounting Practice has you working in an accounts office within one year, and opens doors to further study in the field.
The Chartered Accountant (CA) is licensed by the state to audit financial information for public companies for accuracy. CAs can also work for themselves completing taxes or accounting for individuals. To start on this pathway, register for the SAICA approved Boston Bachelor of Accounting. SAICA is the South African institute of Chartered Accountants, responsible for accreditation of accountants and Accounting - the career that adds up to personal success auditors, and providing entrance and approval to sit for the accounting board
exam.
Accountants and auditors help to ensure that firms are run efficiently, its public records kept accurately, and its taxes paid properly and on time. They analyse and communicate financial information for various entities such as companies, individual clients, and government.
Fundamental accounting day-to-day tasks include: analysing, and verifying financial documents, offer budget analysis, financial and investment planning, information technology consulting, the design of accounting and data-processing systems, and the selection of controls to safeguard assets.
What can I study? Still at school and considering subject options? “Try and go for the numerate subjects such as maths, science, accounting and business studies”, says Alida Hattingh of Boston Welkom. “We see many people asking if they have to take these subjects in high school, and honestly, your chance of success in tertiary studies is so much higher if you have the background skills and knowledge from school” she says.
Do you want to work in the accounting industry? Alida says that “You need to have an aptitude for maths and or numeracy, be a methodical and organised person, communicate well and be able to be assertive and sensitive at the same time. Maintaining discretion is essential, and you will need to be the kind of person that can integrate information and from that - draw conclusions”. “Finance is a recession-proof career,” says Alida. “no business can function, never-mind succeed, without appropriate accounting systems in place, even your own entrepreneurial business! .”
