If you think accountants are only there to get their clients out of a pinch during tax time, think again. These well-paid professionals serve in a wide variety of specializations that go beyond personal accounting. So if you’re considering a career in the field, it’s a smart choice.

The first step to starting a career in accounting is to get the educational requirements necessary. Most accountants-to-be require at least a Bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field. Finance, for example, would be another useful major if considering a career in accounting. Most states require Certified Public Accountant (CPA) candidates to be college graduates, but some states will substitute years of experience for a college degree. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires the CPA designation. The licenses are state regulated, and a candidate must past a national exam to earn the certification. Online degrees in accounting are available from many accredited online colleges and universities.

There are a variety of job duties throughout the four major accounting fields, which are public management, government accounting, and internal auditing. Accountants stay busy throughout the year and have a wide variety of working options. Accountants can do anything from opening up their own private practice to working for large companies. Many accountants can easily supplement their income by providing freelance services to individuals, which offers a nice opportunity to boost their income.

Public accountants can work for corporations, governments, nonprofit organizations, or individuals. This category encompasses forensic accountants, which are used to investigate white-collar crimes. Management accountants are also known as cost, managerial, industrial, corporate, or private accountants. They specialize in things like budgeting, performance evaluation, cost management, and asset management. Government accountants work for the private sector, while the internal auditing accountants work for an organization to ensure compliance and make sure that the proper controls are in place to thrive economically. Also known as auditors, these specialized accountants may also have titles such as information technology auditors, environmental auditors, and compliance auditors.

The accounting field offers a wide array of appealing work settings. Most work in a typical office, but some can work at home. Some accountants and auditors also have the ability to travel for work, visiting different locations to provide audits.

While a Bachelor’s degree is a strong foundation, people can also benefit from having a Master’s degree. According to a salary survey from the National Association of Colleges and Employers, accountants with Bachelor’s degrees got starting offers on an average of $46,718 a year in 2006, while those with their Master’s degrees were offered $49,277 to start. Federal accountants do, on average, earn less. The field remains profitable and stable.