Chartered certified accountants undertake a large variety of accountancy services and are responsible for developing and maintaining financial and accounting systems, financial forecasting, auditing financial records and investigating financial anomalies. They can work within a wide range of sectors including public practice, financial services or the corporate sector. Often, a chartered certified
accountant's main aim is to maximise profitability and efficiency or ensure value for money on behalf of their employer or client, often assessing business possibilities. They may provide a management consultancy service. Chartered certified accountants can offer a range of services to an internationally recognised standard, including advising on taxation, insolvency and corporate finance. Typical work activities
The role of a chartered certified accountant can cover many aspects of finance work. The day-to-day activities may vary, according to the size and type of organisation, but will generally involve:
preparing financial statements, business plans, commentaries 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;
reviewing and adapting new and existing financial systems and controls;
implementing new financial and budgetary systems or policies when needed;
producing and analysing annual and monthly accounts;
providing regular financial reports as and when they are needed;
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;
advising managers on financial policy and control, such as the costs and benefits of a particular project;
liaising with internal and external auditors and dealing with any irregular financial issues as they arise;
advising on and dealing with tax issues, ensuring compliance with tax legislation;
advising clients on areas of business improvement, or dealing with insolvency;
negotiating business terms with associated organisations such as suppliers;
controlling income and expenditure including liaising with and administering payroll;
possibly managing colleagues.
