What is the role of an accountant?

 THE ROLE OF AN ACCOUNTANT

Accountants work in both the public and the private sector roles within different types of organizations.

WHY DO ORGANISATIONS NEED ACCOUNTANTS?

Accountants generally record, collect, analyze, and report on financial data. In addition to playing this general role, different types of accountants perform different, specialized roles.

Different types of accountants include:

• Cost Accountants
• Financial Accountants
• Management Accountants
• Project Accountants
• Public Accountants
• Tax Accountants

Accountants are also able to make strategic recommendations regarding specific financial situations.

FUNCTIONS OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF ACCOUNTANTS?

Have a look at the descriptions below to get an idea of what the different roles entail:

COST ACCOUNTANT

Cost accountants help organizations to reduce costs and maximize profits. As cost accountants provide financial information that is aimed at helping managers to make good business decisions.

FINANCIAL ACCOUNTANT

It is possible for someone outside of the organization to get an accurate picture of the organization's financial position and performance through financial accounting.

MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTANT

Management accountants assist in strategic planning by providing accurate financial and non-financial information to the managers and key decision-makers within an organization. The role of management accountant are therefore expected to conduct themselves with professionalism and integrity at all times.

PROJECT ACCOUNTANT

Project accountants are responsible for tracking the financial progress of projects.

PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT

Public accountants provide a wide range of accounting services to non-profit organizations and government departments. They usually work as external consultants in public accounting firms.

TAX ACCOUNTANT

Tax accountants provide tax-related advice to individuals and organizations. They provide a range of tax-related services.