¶ … career interest is accounting. Accountancy is the process of evaluating the financial information about business entities to users such as the managers of the shareholders (Elliot, & Elliot, 2004). Accountancy falls into three areas: accounting, bookkeeping, and auditing. I choose accounting since it will give me a solid employment with a lucrative wage and this is what is important to me. I have also learned that it can be fun in the investigative way if I se it as such. The work conditions are fine -- not too tedious and best of all I can structure them at my convenience. I can work either for an institution or be self-employed. Chances for advancement also depend on myself and, best of all, I can find global opportunities in any and every business..

• Career goals and career strategy

The kind of job that I am most interested in is working in a prestigious major accounting or business firm as a piblic accountant. Competition is keen there, but I will have an advantage through gaining a Masters in the subject, accreditations or licensures on related subjects, as well as acquirign proficiency in the subject and in auditing computer software. To gain an edge, I think it best that I be specilaized in some specific niche and that I focus a lot of attention on computer programming which is the trend of the future

To achieve my goals I had to accordingly evaluate my strengths and weaknesses and see which I need to polish, which I need to acquire, what I need to learn in order to get the kind of job that I wish.

• Industry/Sector analysis

Job opportunities are good with demand especially high in the tax and health care areas and a 16% increase in all job openings by the year 2016 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (Careers-in-Accounting). About 1 out of 4 work in accounting, auditing, and bookkeeping firms, while about 1 out of 10 are self-employed. The majority of them seem to be Certified Public Accountants, Public Accountants (PAs), Registered Public Accountants (RPAs), and Accounting Practitioners (Aps), although many still manage to find lucrative opportunities in all segments despite their being unlicensed. Others teach in college or university and still others work for the government. There is always a need in accounting and the field branches off into various areas.. Being that most of the rules are universal, the best of it is that I can practice almost anywhere in the world if need be.

• Role analysis

I have decided to choose public accountancy as my specific role. This involves a broad range of skills that includes accounting, auditing, communication with client, dealing with taxes, and consulting activities. I intend to be good at each of these specific areas. Clients may range from the government to non-profit organizations to large corporations to private individuals in general. My specialization may likely be consulting, probably specifically on taxes and selection of controls to safeguard financial assets, since there is a growing need for this and consultancy seems to be a lucrative field (*) would I choose to be self-employed. Other tasks that I will be involved in will be knowing about compensational nod employee health care benefits; forensic accounting investigation and interpreting bankruptcies as well as being able to work with other complex financial transactions; reporting to investors and authorities; and, of course, being skilled in auditing financial statements.

• Critical evaluation of your strengths & development needs.

As far as concerns the main skills necessary for accountancy -- I have no concern. These are an aptitude for mathematics and the ability to rapidly analyze, compare, and interpret figures and facts. I will need to brush up my computer knowledge, specifically on software programs related to accountancy but I enjoy and am good at technology. Learning how to develop software is also helpful -- many make lucrative business at that. Am weak at that, and will, therefore, leave it alone restringing my energies to work on my strengths. Conducting research will be important for keeping up with economic and market trends. I will find that tedious but it is only a minor part of the job. I will need to learn how to write business memos, and communicating with clients is critical. I am decently good at the former and somewhat clumsy at the latter feeling awkward and shy at times. I also have fears and anxieties about achieving and these trip me up specially if I wan to get a good job and, therefore, have to be more thick-skinned and less sensitive to rejection and particularly if I want to launch myself as consultant. The latter is ongoing competition with enormous encouragement and perseverance demanded to break through -- and for the best of us it can take as much as five years. Even then, it is feast and famine.

• Action Plan for developing your career strategy.

I will gain my masters degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting

I will gain some practical hands-on experience in accounting or auditing through summer or other internship opportunity at college or elsewhere.

I have heard that college students do change their minds a lot before they finaly find the field that interests them. At the moment, however, I see accoutning as suiting me in a number of variables. I love organization and numbers and putting things in order. Accounting is that. I need intellectual stimualation but not too challenging, and in a field that doesn't always grow and change. Accounting provides me with that. It allows me to see people but not that many. And I like the controls of the field with its various Acts (such as, famously the Sorbanes-Oxley) that provide me with security and perimeters.
It seems easy enough to learn, the pay can be good, and there are plenty of opportunties. Accounting attracts me because in today's insecure world, accountancy is a secure field and one that I may likely always find a job in.

I have figured out my strengths and weakneeses in the subject as well as plotted a trajectory with which to polish my strengths and work on my weaknesses. I feel confident with my future.

Section 2: Portfolio

1: Speculative letter

Dear Miss x,

I am writing to enquire whether you have a vacancy in your company for a public accountant. I am enclosing a copy of my CV for your consideration.

As you will see from my CV, I am currently working for ... In my present position I am responsible for ... I have achieved excellence in.. And gained a reputation for...

Over the last year I have successfully implemented.. I have mastered a broad range of computer skills that include Lotus 1-2-3 and C++ and am a member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

With my proven ability to manage and maintain the highest accounting standards whilst minimizing costs, I believe that I will be able to prove my worth to your company's management team.

I would appreciate your contacting me regarding possible vacancies in your company, or keep my information on file in case of future openings.

Thank you

(Alec.co.uk)

2: CV

OBJECTIVE

To obtain a challenging accounting position in a competitive company where the application of my solid professional education and broad experience, computer skills and integrity can contribute to the achievement of the organization's goals.

QUALIFICATIONS SUMMARY recent experience in both

A CPA with solid experience in public accounting with specialization on tax details

Knowledgeable in GAAP, GAAS, IRS Codes, SEC regulations, Sarbanes-Oxley Act

Hands-on experiences in general accounting, cost accounting, auditing, and tax in public accounting and corporate firms

Well organized and logical thinking with proficiency in dealing with people

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

COMPUTER SKILLS

Utilizing and maintaining computerized accounting and tax systems. Experience with:

Solomon

CCH ProSystem

QuickBooks Pro

e-Pace Creative Solution

Lacerte Intuit ProSeries

ATX / MAX Tax

Turbo Tax

Peachtree

Fundware

Word Excel

Access PowerPoint

Internet

Lotus 1-2-3

C++

Visual Basic

COBOL

EDUCATION

MBA in Global Business Administration with a concentration in accounting

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

(Accounting Jobs Today)

3: Internship Application

12/30/2011

Mr. HL LEE

Human Resource Executive

White House

Washington, The World

Dear Mr. Lee

I am writing this letter to tell you that I am eager to work in the White House for a period of 4 months as accountant and to help audit some of your accounts. I am pursuing a masters degree in global business administration with a concentration in accounting and am therefore required to gain some professional experience in the accounting field. In order that you can trust me, I am attaching my resume and academic certificates along with letter of reference for your review.

I am a scrupulous and diligent worker who enjoys accounting and is determined to prove her full value to any organization that she works for.

I am eagerly awaiting your response and looking forward to thanking you for the opportunity of granting me a formal interview. Thank you for reviewing my material.

Yours faithfully

Enclosures: Resume, appreciation letter, and academic certificates.

(Resume / cover letter examples)

Section 3: Analysis

• Career goals and career strategy

-- What are your career goals?

Short-term -- Internship/Consulting Project/Dissertation.

Medium term…