Graduate Careers

Forensic accountant

Main tasks
Forensic accountants work in fraud investigation in circumstances where crime is known or suspected, and in insurance claim assessment and commercial disputes. They may perform the following tasks:

• investigate and analyse financial evidence in fraud cases
• assess financial data to look for fraudulent activity
• compile reports to communicate findings to companies and law firms
• assist in legal proceedings, including testifying in court as expert witnesses
• make written valuations on the economic loss suffered by a client
• educate clients about measures to prevent fraud, particularly in areas such as payroll, procurement and warehousing/inventory.

Key skills

• accuracy and attention to detail
• verbal and written communication skills
• numeracy
• computer literacy
• teamwork skills
• analytical and problem-solving skills.

Salary
According to The Good Universities Guide 2009, the average starting salary for accounting graduates is $41,994. Qualified forensic accountants earn an average of around $78,000. Forensic accountants in senior and managerial positions can earn up to $250,000.

Employment prospects
According to the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations’ (DEEWR) Australian jobs 2008, job prospects for accountants are currently good and unemployment is below average. Employment growth to 2012–13 is expected to be strong.

Main employers
Forensic accountants may work for regulatory authorities, insurance companies, and commercial and legal clients.

Find out more
CPA Australia, www.cpaaustralia.com.au
Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia (ICAA), www.charteredaccountants.com.au
National Institute of Accountants (NIA), www.nia.com.au

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Taxation consultant

Main tasks
Taxation consultants manage tax issues and minimise tax liabilities for businesses and individuals. They may perform the following tasks:

• prepare tax returns and reports
• advise on tax issues
• manage disputes with taxation authorities
• advise on compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, such as income tax and GST returns
• advise an individual or organisation on how they might arrange or rearrange their affairs to keep tax liabilities to the legal minimum.

Key skills

• attention to detail
• good analytical and problem-solving skills
• a thorough and logical approach
• strong communication skills
• good interpersonal and customer service skills
• numeracy
• discretion when dealing with confidential information.

Salary
According to The Good Universities Guide 2009, the average starting salary for accounting graduates is $41,994. Qualified taxation consultants earn an average of around $75,000. Senior taxation consultants and tax managers can earn in excess of $160,000.

Employment prospects
According to DEEWR's Australian jobs 2008, job prospects for accountants are currently good, and unemployment is below average. Employment growth to 2012–13 is expected to be strong.

According to the Hays Salary survey 2008, tax professionals are currently in high demand and may therefore be able to negotiate significantly higher salaries and benefits.

Main employers
Taxation consultants are employed in private practice, across industry, and in the public sector.

Find out more
National Tax and Accountants’ Association (NTAA), www.ntaa.com.au

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Auditor

Main tasks
Auditors examine the financial statements of companies, and assess whether they accurately reflect the company’s financial performance. They may perform the following tasks:

• review an organisation’s accounting systems and procedures
• verify the accuracy of financial statements, and the existence of assets and liabilities mentioned
• provide an opinion on an organisation’s financial performance
• assess an organisation’s effectiveness and efficiency
• advise on how clients can improve their accounting systems.

Key skills

• strong mathematics skills
• high level of accuracy and attention to detail
• good organisational and problem-solving skills
• strong communication skills
• a methodical and logical approach
• ability to work under pressure.

Salary
According to The Good Universities Guide 2009, the average starting salary for accounting graduates is $41,994. Qualified auditors earn around $80,000. Auditors in senior and managerial positions can earn up to $180,000.

Employment prospects
According to DEEWR's Australian jobs 2008, job prospects for auditors are currently good, and unemployment is low. Employment growth to 2012–13 is expected to be strong.

Main employers
Auditors are employed in the public sector (by the Australian Taxation Office or Australian National Audit Office, for example) and in the private sector for employers ranging from small businesses to large international companies.

Find out more
CPA Australia, www.cpaaustralia.com.au
Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia (ICAA), www.charteredaccountants.com.au
National Institute of Accountants (NIA), www.nia.com.au

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Treasurer

Main tasks
Treasurers plan short and long-term finance for organisations, as well as manage an organisation’s financial risk and the flow of money between the organisation and its customers and suppliers. They may perform the following tasks:

• advise on the financial consequences of decisions
• design and manage investment portfolios
• keep up to date with global financial markets
• provide advice based on economic and market forecasts
• work with company board members and senior management to devise the annual budget
• prepare reports focussing on both current financial situation and future outlook.

Key skills

• strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• strong written and verbal communication skills
• good organisational skills
• numeracy.

Salary
According to The Good Universities Guide 2009, the average starting salary for accounting graduates is $41,994. Qualified treasurers with six to 10 years experience can earn up to around $100,000. Experienced treasurers in senior positions in large companies may earn in excess of $200,000.

Employment prospects
According to DEEWR's Australian jobs 2008, job prospects for accountants are currently good, and unemployment is below average. Employment growth to 2012–13 is expected to be strong.

Main employers
Treasurers commonly work in the treasury divisions of government departments and major corporations, as well as in financial institutions such as merchant banks.

Find out more
Finance and Treasury Association (FTA), www.fta.asn.au