Accountants

Accountants provide services relating to financial reporting, taxation, auditing, insolvency, accounting information systems, budgeting, cost management, planning and decision-making by organisations and individuals; and provide advice on associated compliance and performance requirements to ensure statutory and strategic governance.

**Indicative skill level:**

#### In Australia and New Zealand:

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor degree or higher qualification. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 1).

Registration or licensing may be required.

**Tasks include:**

- assisting in formulating budgetary and accounting policies - preparing financial statements for presentation to boards of directors, management, shareholders, and governing and statutory bodies - conducting financial investigations, preparing reports, undertaking audits and advising on matters such as the purchase and sale of businesses, mergers, capital financing, suspected fraud, insolvency and taxation - examining operating costs and organisations' income and expenditure - providing assurance about the accuracy of information contained in financial reports and their compliance with statutory requirements - providing financial and taxation advice on business structures, plans and operations - preparing taxation returns for individuals and organisations - liaising with financial institutions and brokers to establish funds management arrangements - introducing and maintaining accounting systems, and advising on the selection and application of computer-based accounting systems - maintaining internal control systems - may appraise cash flow and financial risk of capital investment projects