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Chartered certified accountant: Job description and activities

Job description

Chartered certified accountants can work within private practice, public sector, financial services or the corporate sector. Managing information, they are responsible for developing and maintaining financial and accounting systems, financial forecasting, auditing financial records and investigating financial anomalies. They may produce reports and budget plans, and contribute to strategy. They may also control funds and salaries.

Chartered certified accountants can offer a range of services to an internationally recognised standard, including advising on taxation, insolvency and corporate finance.

Often, a chartered certified accountant's main aim is to maximise profitability and efficiency on behalf of their employer or client, often assessing business possibilities. They may provide a management consultancy service.

Typical work activities

The role of a chartered certified accountant can cover many aspects of finance work, including:

• continuous management of financial systems and budgets;
• undertaking financial audits (an independent check of an organisation's financial position);
• providing financial advice.

The day-to-day activities may vary, according to the size and type of organisation, but will generally involve:

• preparing financial statements, business plans and budgets for management or client reports;
• regularly undertaking audits, involving the examination of the organisation's accounts, analysing risk, inspecting the organisation's current practices, investigating any financial irregularities and recommending improvements;
• implementing new or reviewing existing financial systems and controls;
• producing annual and/or monthly accounts;
• managing expenditure, credit, payroll and investments;
• creating financial plans and forecasts;
• liaising with clients (individuals or businesses) or non-financial members of staff, providing financial information and advice;
• liaising with internal and external auditors and dealing with any irregular financial issues as they arise;
• advising on and dealing with tax issues;
• advising clients on areas of business improvement, or dealing with insolvency;
• managing junior colleagues;
• negotiating terms with suppliers.

AGCAS

Written by Joan Newton, AGCAS

Last updated:

March 2009

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