ConsultaPedia Logo

Educational Paraprofessional Careers and Jobs

Select, Find and Prepare for Educational Paraprofessional Careers and Jobs - all on one page

For people who want classroom experience and a faster path into schools than a full teaching credential. Use the tools below to see which educational paraprofessional roles fit your background and goals.

This role supports classroom teachers directly and typically requires less formal education than a teaching credential, making it a faster entry point into schools. Use the tools below to explore Educational Paraprofessional-related job titles sorted by growth rate, salary, or required education. You can start with entry points like Teacher's Aide, or look ahead to advanced roles such as Lead Paraprofessional or Program Coordinator. Along the way, you will see specific certifications, such as Paraprofessional Certification (state-specific), that can help you move up the career ladder.



4 Steps to Use This Page: 1-Explore Careers of Intrerest 2-See Job Listings Matched to Career 3-Prepare for the Career 4-See External Career Resources

Here is a short Helper Video External Link

This page will take you through 4 steps to (1) Select from Educational Paraprofessional careers/jobs, (2) Find Educational Paraprofessional job listings, (3) Prepare for Educational Paraprofessional careers, and (4) Provide Educational Paraprofessional career-specific resources.

Step 1: Select a Career/Job: This page starts with 4 ways for you to identify and select from listings of Educational Paraprofessional careers/jobs:
A) Fastest Growing Educational Paraprofessional Careers - 2025 to 2035 (est.)
These listings are based on job growth estimates and helps you to identify the fastest growing and evolving Educational Paraprofessional careers. Some careers may not initially seem related to Educational Paraprofessional, so relevant Educational Paraprofessional jobs are listed alongside each listing. This can also help us to identify which careers (bottom of the listing) may have negative growth - perhaps due to automation or planned obsolescence.
B) Median Annual Salary U.S. Educational Paraprofessional Careers
These listings are sorted (descending) by median annual salary in the U.S. This may help us to identify our ideal career. We may not qualify at this time for the desired career, but this listing and the results provided can help us to explore job details, as well as learn how to appropriately prepare for the career.
C) Educational Paraprofessional Career Ladders (Educational Requirements)
These listings will help us to identify Educational Paraprofessional careers sorted by educational requirements (with the most difficult to obtain listed first). This may help us to identify career ladders (as we scroll down the list), and help us to get jobs that we qualify for now.
D) Select From a Listing of 38 Educational Paraprofessional Jobs.
The list may be quite long. There are two ways you might like to use this list:
1) Filter - As you enter a word, you will filter (limit) the list of job titles
2) Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply explore the list of job titles. There may be many that you might never have considered to be of interest.
Once you have identified a job title of interest, simply click on it.

Step 2: Find a Job: After you have selected a career/job title above, you will see a form asking for your location. You will see several radio selection choices to utilize the job search site of your choice.

Step 3: Prepare For a Career: In this section you will gain access to detailed information to help you prepare for the chosen career. Information may include (not every career choice includes all of the elements below - updates occur quarterly):
Core Duties: Lists the primary worker-related tasks performed in this occupation
Supplemental Duties: Lists additional tasks that are performed but are secondary to the core duties
Work Activities: Summarizes the broad types of behaviors and actions related to this career
Specific Work Activities: Provides more granular day-to-day activities tied to the work performed
Essential Skills: Provides foundational skills that are core to performing this specific occupation
Transferable Skills: Provides career-portable skills that can be applied across multiple occupations and industries
Day-in-the-Life Summaries: Provides a snapshot of the key activities performed on a typical workday in this career
Knowledge Required: Provides the requirements regarding the acquisition of facts and principles
Software Skills: Lists software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized by category and priority
Preparation Required: Provides a summary of the required experience and education
Education Required: Detailed breakdown of the education required
Training and Experience Required: Detailed breakdown of the training and Training and Experience Required
Local Salary Information: Provides national and local salary ranges
Certifications: Provides appropriate government and private-sector certifications and/or credentials that may be required
Professional Associations: Provides professional associations that are related to the career selected
Job Listings: Provides links to active current job listings for the selected career, along with multiple similar job titles to explore. All information appears on this page without navigating away.
Related Careers to Consider: Lists up to 20 careers that might be of interest to you (related to your initial choice - what they do, what they know, and what they're called), ranked by best fit.

** If you clicked on a link from section D (as described in Step 1 above), you will see one or more links to an occupation that is usually a bit more general than your initial job selection - the link(s) is directly related to the specific job you identified through your prior selections.
*NOTE: It is possible that there may not be a career path identified for the specific job you selected in Step 1. If this is the case, scroll up the page and click on a different career/job.

Step 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated): Continue to scroll down the page and you will find tabs that provide detailed (updated) links specific to the career you selected. This information includes:
Videos: Provides a listing of video links related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes: Sources for resume materials and techniques. This can help to get you started.
Job Description: Sources that provide job descriptions, which are vital to resume and interview preparation.
Interviews: Provides links that can help you to prepare for and successfully complete the job interview. Can also assist with coffee chats.
Step by Step: Provides links to resources that can help to organize the career search process.
LinkedIn: One of the best professional social media sites that provides links, opportunities, and networking specifically for careers and career development.




Step 1 of 4: Select a Career/Job

6 Educational Paraprofessional careers are listed below (sorted by Percentage Change in Total Job Openings - 2025 to 2035 est.). Educational Paraprofessional-related jobs specific to each career are also provided. This shows which careers are emerging and growing the fastest. Please Scroll and Select below:

Occupations U.S. Job Openings 2025-2035 (% change) Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs

Training and Development Specialists 10.8% Cyber Instructional Curriculum Developer
Occupation: Training and Development Specialists U.S. Job Openings 2025-2035: 10.8% Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs: Cyber Instructional Curriculum Developer
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers 3.5% Safety Instruction Police Officer
Occupation: Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers U.S. Job Openings 2025-2035: 3.5% Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs: Safety Instruction Police Officer
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists 2.6% Instruction Librarian; Reference and Instruction Librarian
Occupation: Librarians and Media Collections Specialists U.S. Job Openings 2025-2035: 2.6% Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs: Instruction Librarian; Reference and Instruction Librarian
Education Administrators, Postsecondary 1.8% Instruction Dean; Instruction Vice President (Instruction VP)
Occupation: Education Administrators, Postsecondary U.S. Job Openings 2025-2035: 1.8% Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs: Instruction Dean; Instruction Vice President (Instruction VP)
Instructional Coordinators 1.6% Curriculum and Instruction Director; E-Learning Instructional Designer (Electronic Learning Instructional Designer); Instructional Coach; Instructional Coordinator; Instructional Design Analyst; Instructional Design Consultant; Instructional Design Specialist; Instructional Design Technologist; Instructional Designer; Instructional Manager; Instructional Material Director; Instructional Materials Director; Instructional Specialist; Instructional Systems Designer; Instructional Systems Specialist; Instructional Technologist; Instructional Technology Coordinator; Instructional Technology Facilitator; Instructional Technology Resource Teacher; Instructional Technology Site Technologist; Instructional Technology Specialist
Occupation: Instructional Coordinators U.S. Job Openings 2025-2035: 1.6% Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs: Curriculum and Instruction Director; E-Learning Instructional Designer (Electronic Learning Instructional Designer); Instructional Coach; Instructional Coordinator; Instructional Design Analyst; Instructional Design Consultant; Instructional Design Specialist; Instructional Design Technologist; Instructional Designer; Instructional Manager; Instructional Material Director; Instructional Materials Director; Instructional Specialist; Instructional Systems Designer; Instructional Systems Specialist; Instructional Technologist; Instructional Technology Coordinator; Instructional Technology Facilitator; Instructional Technology Resource Teacher; Instructional Technology Site Technologist; Instructional Technology Specialist
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary -0.3% Curriculum and Instruction Superintendent
Occupation: Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary U.S. Job Openings 2025-2035: -0.3% Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs: Curriculum and Instruction Superintendent

7 Educational Paraprofessional careers are listed below (sorted by U.S. National Median Salary). Educational Paraprofessional-related jobs specific to each occupation are also provided. Please Scroll and Select below::

Occupations National Median Salary Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs

Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary $ 105,870 Curriculum and Instruction Superintendent
Occupation: Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary National Median Salary: $ 105,870 Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs: Curriculum and Instruction Superintendent
Education Administrators, Postsecondary $ 104,590 Instruction Dean; Instruction Vice President (Instruction VP)
Occupation: Education Administrators, Postsecondary National Median Salary: $ 104,590 Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs: Instruction Dean; Instruction Vice President (Instruction VP)
Instructional Coordinators $ 77,440 Curriculum and Instruction Director; E-Learning Instructional Designer (Electronic Learning Instructional Designer); Instructional Coach; Instructional Coordinator; Instructional Design Analyst; Instructional Design Consultant; Instructional Design Specialist; Instructional Design Technologist; Instructional Designer; Instructional Manager; Instructional Material Director; Instructional Materials Director; Instructional Specialist; Instructional Systems Designer; Instructional Systems Specialist; Instructional Technologist; Instructional Technology Coordinator; Instructional Technology Facilitator; Instructional Technology Resource Teacher; Instructional Technology Site Technologist; Instructional Technology Specialist
Occupation: Instructional Coordinators National Median Salary: $ 77,440 Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs: Curriculum and Instruction Director; E-Learning Instructional Designer (Electronic Learning Instructional Designer); Instructional Coach; Instructional Coordinator; Instructional Design Analyst; Instructional Design Consultant; Instructional Design Specialist; Instructional Design Technologist; Instructional Designer; Instructional Manager; Instructional Material Director; Instructional Materials Director; Instructional Specialist; Instructional Systems Designer; Instructional Systems Specialist; Instructional Technologist; Instructional Technology Coordinator; Instructional Technology Facilitator; Instructional Technology Resource Teacher; Instructional Technology Site Technologist; Instructional Technology Specialist
Adapted Physical Education Specialists $ 76,580 APE Instructional Specialist (Adapted Physical Education Instructional Specialist)
Occupation: Adapted Physical Education Specialists National Median Salary: $ 76,580 Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs: APE Instructional Specialist (Adapted Physical Education Instructional Specialist)
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $ 76,210 Safety Instruction Police Officer
Occupation: Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers National Median Salary: $ 76,210 Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs: Safety Instruction Police Officer
Training and Development Specialists $ 69,280 Cyber Instructional Curriculum Developer
Occupation: Training and Development Specialists National Median Salary: $ 69,280 Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs: Cyber Instructional Curriculum Developer
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists $ 68,270 Instruction Librarian; Reference and Instruction Librarian
Occupation: Librarians and Media Collections Specialists National Median Salary: $ 68,270 Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs: Instruction Librarian; Reference and Instruction Librarian

9 Educational Paraprofessional careers are listed (sorted by Education/Preparation Requirements - descending) to provide career ladders. Educational Paraprofessional-related jobs specific to each career are also provided.

Education/Preparation Categories:
5 = Usually requires graduate school (e.g., Master's degree, Ph.D., M.D., or J.D.)
4 = Usually requires a four-year Bachelor's degree
3 = Usually requires vocational training, related on-the-job experience, or Associate's degree
2 = Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, but not always
Please Scroll and Select below:
Occupations Education/Preparation Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs

Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary 5 Curriculum and Instruction Superintendent
Occupation: Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary Education/Preparation: 5 Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs: Curriculum and Instruction Superintendent
Education Administrators, Postsecondary 5 Instruction Dean; Instruction Vice President (Instruction VP)
Occupation: Education Administrators, Postsecondary Education/Preparation: 5 Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs: Instruction Dean; Instruction Vice President (Instruction VP)
Instructional Coordinators 5 Curriculum and Instruction Director; E-Learning Instructional Designer (Electronic Learning Instructional Designer); Instructional Coach; Instructional Coordinator; Instructional Design Analyst; Instructional Design Consultant; Instructional Design Specialist; Instructional Design Technologist; Instructional Designer; Instructional Manager; Instructional Material Director; Instructional Materials Director; Instructional Specialist; Instructional Systems Designer; Instructional Systems Specialist; Instructional Technologist; Instructional Technology Coordinator; Instructional Technology Facilitator; Instructional Technology Resource Teacher; Instructional Technology Site Technologist; Instructional Technology Specialist
Occupation: Instructional Coordinators Education/Preparation: 5 Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs: Curriculum and Instruction Director; E-Learning Instructional Designer (Electronic Learning Instructional Designer); Instructional Coach; Instructional Coordinator; Instructional Design Analyst; Instructional Design Consultant; Instructional Design Specialist; Instructional Design Technologist; Instructional Designer; Instructional Manager; Instructional Material Director; Instructional Materials Director; Instructional Specialist; Instructional Systems Designer; Instructional Systems Specialist; Instructional Technologist; Instructional Technology Coordinator; Instructional Technology Facilitator; Instructional Technology Resource Teacher; Instructional Technology Site Technologist; Instructional Technology Specialist
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists 5 Instruction Librarian; Reference and Instruction Librarian
Occupation: Librarians and Media Collections Specialists Education/Preparation: 5 Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs: Instruction Librarian; Reference and Instruction Librarian
Adapted Physical Education Specialists 4 APE Instructional Specialist (Adapted Physical Education Instructional Specialist)
Occupation: Adapted Physical Education Specialists Education/Preparation: 4 Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs: APE Instructional Specialist (Adapted Physical Education Instructional Specialist)
Training and Development Specialists 4 Cyber Instructional Curriculum Developer
Occupation: Training and Development Specialists Education/Preparation: 4 Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs: Cyber Instructional Curriculum Developer
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers 3 Safety Instruction Police Officer
Occupation: Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers Education/Preparation: 3 Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs: Safety Instruction Police Officer
Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education 3 BSIP Instructional Aide (Basic Skills Improvement Program Instructional Aide); Instructional Aide; Instructional Assistant; Instructional Paraprofessional; Preschool Instructional Assistant (Preschool IA)
Occupation: Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education Education/Preparation: 3 Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs: BSIP Instructional Aide (Basic Skills Improvement Program Instructional Aide); Instructional Aide; Instructional Assistant; Instructional Paraprofessional; Preschool Instructional Assistant (Preschool IA)
Teaching Assistants, Special Education 3 Basic Skills Improvement Program Instructional Aide (BSIP Instructional Aide); Special Programs Instructional Assistant; SPED Instructional Aide (Special Education Instructional Aide); SPED Instructional Assistant (Special Education Instructional Assistant)
Occupation: Teaching Assistants, Special Education Education/Preparation: 3 Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs: Basic Skills Improvement Program Instructional Aide (BSIP Instructional Aide); Special Programs Instructional Assistant; SPED Instructional Aide (Special Education Instructional Aide); SPED Instructional Assistant (Special Education Instructional Assistant)

Scroll through the picklist (below). There are 38 specific Educational Paraprofessional job titles listed. Select those that may be of interest - you will get active job listing links, along with detailed resources to help you prepare for a career related to that job.
You can use this form two ways:

hidden filler

Filter - As you enter a keyword, you will filter (limit) the list of job titles below

Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply explore the list of job titles. There may be many that you might never have considered to be of interest.

Enter a Keyword (filter the list below)
OR - leave blank and scroll through the choices:



Select a Job Title (Scroll and Select) :

Step 2 of 4: Find a Job

Find Job Listings: Accountants and Auditors.


Search results will open in a new tab.

Note: Job search results work best for U.S.-based locations. For international searches, try searching for "[job title] in [city, country]" directly on the selected job board, or visit their country-specific website.

Step 3 of 4: Prepare For a Career





Accountants and Auditors

Description: Examine, analyze, and interpret accounting records to prepare financial statements, give advice, or audit and evaluate statements prepared by others. Install or advise on systems of recording costs or other financial and budgetary data.

U.S. Total Employment (2025):
1,595,200
U.S. Total Employment (2035 est.):
1,674,600
Employment Change (2025-2035 est.):
79,400 (5%)
Average Annual Job Openings (2025-2035 est.):
115,300
Please click on a section below to expand and see detailed occupational information related to "Accountants and Auditors":

Core Duties

Important Core Job Duties (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Review accounts for discrepancies and reconcile differences.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Compute taxes owed and prepare tax returns, ensuring compliance with payment, reporting, or other tax requirements.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Prepare adjusting journal entries.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Inspect account books and accounting systems for efficiency, effectiveness, and use of accepted accounting procedures to record transactions.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Review data about material assets, net worth, liabilities, capital stock, surplus, income, or expenditures.
Importance: 94 (%) Description: Establish tables of accounts and assign entries to proper accounts.
Importance: 94 (%) Description: Prepare, examine, or analyze accounting records, financial statements, or other financial reports to assess accuracy, completeness, and conformance to reporting and procedural standards.
Importance: 94 (%) Description: Confer with company officials about financial and regulatory matters.
Importance: 94 (%) Description: Represent clients before taxing authorities and provide support during litigation involving financial issues.
Importance: 94 (%) Description: Examine and evaluate financial and information systems, recommending controls to ensure system reliability and data integrity.
Importance: 88 (%) Description: Collect and analyze data to detect deficient controls, duplicated effort, extravagance, fraud, or non-compliance with laws, regulations, and management policies.
Importance: 88 (%) Description: Direct activities of personnel engaged in filing, recording, compiling, and transmitting financial records.
Importance: 88 (%) Description: Advise clients in areas such as compensation, employee health care benefits, the design of accounting or data processing systems, or long-range tax or estate plans.
Importance: 88 (%) Description: Prepare, analyze, or verify annual reports, financial statements, and other records, using accepted accounting and statistical procedures to assess financial condition and facilitate financial planning.
Importance: 88 (%) Description: Examine inventory to verify journal and ledger entries.
Importance: 88 (%) Description: Examine records and interview workers to ensure recording of transactions and compliance with laws and regulations.
Importance: 88 (%) Description: Develop, maintain, or analyze budgets, preparing periodic reports that compare budgeted costs to actual costs.
Importance: 82 (%) Description: Examine whether the organization's objectives are reflected in its management activities, and whether employees understand the objectives.
Importance: 82 (%) Description: Conduct pre-implementation audits to determine if systems and programs under development will work as planned.
Importance: 82 (%) Description: Report to management about asset utilization and audit results, and recommend changes in operations and financial activities.
Importance: 82 (%) Description: Review taxpayer accounts, and conduct audits on-site, by correspondence, or by summoning taxpayer to office.
Importance: 82 (%) Description: Analyze business operations, trends, costs, revenues, financial commitments, and obligations to project future revenues and expenses or to provide advice.
Importance: 82 (%) Description: Inspect cash on hand, notes receivable and payable, negotiable securities, and canceled checks to confirm records are accurate.
Importance: 82 (%) Description: Develop, implement, modify, and document recordkeeping and accounting systems, making use of current computer technology.
Importance: 82 (%) Description: Supervise auditing of establishments, and determine scope of investigation required.
Importance: 82 (%) Description: Evaluate taxpayer finances to determine tax liability, using knowledge of interest and discount rates, annuities, valuation of stocks and bonds, and amortization valuation of depletable assets.
Importance: 82 (%) Description: Report to management regarding the finances of establishment.
Importance: 82 (%) Description: Prepare detailed reports on audit findings.
Importance: 76 (%) Description: Audit payroll and personnel records to determine unemployment insurance premiums, workers' compensation coverage, liabilities, and compliance with tax laws.
Importance: 76 (%) Description: Process invoices for payment.
Work Activities

Important General Work Activities (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 93 (%) Description: Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Importance: 92 (%) Description: Working with Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Importance: 85 (%) Description: Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Importance: 83 (%) Description: Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Importance: 83 (%) Description: Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Importance: 82 (%) Description: Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Importance: 82 (%) Description: Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Importance: 82 (%) Description: Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Importance: 81 (%) Description: Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Importance: 79 (%) Description: Communicating with People Outside the Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Importance: 78 (%) Description: Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Importance: 76 (%) Description: Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Importance: 75 (%) Description: Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Importance: 71 (%) Description: Providing Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
Importance: 71 (%) Description: Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Importance: 68 (%) Description: Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
Importance: 68 (%) Description: Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
Importance: 67 (%) Description: Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Importance: 62 (%) Description: Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
Importance: 62 (%) Description: Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
Importance: 61 (%) Description: Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
Importance: 61 (%) Description: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
Specific Work Activities

Important Specific Work Activities
How can you begin to build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. Specific Work Activities appear below:
Advise others on business or operational matters.
Advise others on financial matters.
Advise others on human resources topics.
Analyze budgetary or accounting data.
Analyze business or financial data.
Analyze financial information.
Assess financial status of clients.
Calculate tax information.
Collect evidence for legal proceedings.
Conduct financial or regulatory audits.
Coordinate regulatory documentation activities.
Develop business or financial information systems.
Discuss business strategies, practices, or policies with managers.
Evaluate effectiveness of personnel policies or practices.
Examine financial records or processes.
Examine financial records.
Investigate legal issues.
Negotiate financial arrangements.
Oversee business processes.
Pay charges, fees, or taxes.
Prepare financial documents, reports, or budgets.
Prepare financial documents.
Prepare operational budgets.
Provide legal advice to clients.
Report information to managers or other personnel.
Represent the interests of clients in legal proceedings.
Verify accuracy of financial information.
Verify accuracy of records.
Knowledge Required

Knowledge Required (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 86 (%) Description: Economics and Accounting: Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
Importance: 71 (%) Description: English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Importance: 68 (%) Description: Mathematics: Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Importance: 65 (%) Description: Law and Government: Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Importance: 65 (%) Description: Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Administrative: Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
Importance: 62 (%) Description: Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Essential Skills

Essential Skills (in order of importance)
These are the foundational skills most central to success in this occupation. For the Top 5 most important, how can you begin building experience and confidence using these skills now?
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Importance: 58 (%) Description: Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Importance: 58 (%) Description: Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Importance: 58 (%) Description: Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Importance: 56 (%) Description: Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Importance: 56 (%) Description: Mathematics: Using mathematics to solve problems.
Importance: 54 (%) Description: Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Importance: 54 (%) Description: Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Transferable Skills

Transferable Skills (in order of importance)
These are skills that can transfer across occupations and industries. For the Top 5 most important, how can you strengthen these skills now so they support both this career and future career flexibility?
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 58 (%) Description: Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Importance: 58 (%) Description: Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Importance: 54 (%) Description: Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Importance: 52 (%) Description: Persuasion: Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
Importance: 52 (%) Description: Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Importance: 52 (%) Description: Time Management: Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Day-in-the-Life Summaries

Day-in-the-Life Summaries
These summaries show the main types of activities you are likely to perform on a regular basis in this occupation. How can you imagine your typical workday — using these examples to see if this type of work fits you?
Activity: Advise others on business or operational matters.
Activity: Advise others on financial matters.
Activity: Advise others on legal or regulatory matters.
Activity: Analyze business or financial data.
Activity: Calculate financial data.
Activity: Communicate with others about business strategies.
Activity: Communicate with others about operational plans or activities.
Activity: Coordinate regulatory compliance activities.
Activity: Develop operational or technical procedures or standards.
Activity: Direct organizational operations, activities, or procedures.
Activity: Evaluate condition of financial assets, property, or other resources.
Activity: Evaluate programs, practices, or processes.
Activity: Evaluate the quality or accuracy of data.
Activity: Examine financial activities, operations, or systems.
Activity: Execute financial transactions.
Activity: Investigate criminal or legal matters.
Activity: Manage budgets or finances.
Activity: Negotiate contracts or agreements.
Activity: Prepare financial documents, reports, or budgets.
Activity: Present information in legal proceedings.
Software Skills

Software Skills
These are examples of software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized from most to least important for your career preparation. How can you start learning or practicing the highest-priority tools so that you feel confident using them on the job?
High-Priority Tech Skills
Accounting software:
Intuit QuickBooks
Electronic mail software:
Microsoft Outlook
Enterprise resource planning ERP software:
SAP software
Office suite software:
Microsoft Office software
Presentation software:
Microsoft PowerPoint
Spreadsheet software:
Microsoft Excel
Emerging Tech Skills
Accounting software:
SAP Concur
Analytical or scientific software:
IBM SPSS Statistics
SAS
Business intelligence and data analysis software:
Alteryx software
Tableau
Customer relationship management CRM software:
Salesforce software
Data base management system software:
Teradata Database
Data base user interface and query software (scroll table below):
Microsoft Access
Microsoft SQL Server
Oracle Database
Structured query language SQL
Yardi software
Development environment software:
Microsoft Visual Basic
Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications VBA
Document management software:
Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft SharePoint
Enterprise resource planning ERP software:
Oracle PeopleSoft
Workday software
Medical software:
Epic Systems
MEDITECH software
Object or component oriented development software:
R
Swift
Operating system software:
Microsoft Windows
UNIX
Process mapping and design software:
Microsoft Visio
Project management software:
Microsoft Project
Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management
Spreadsheet software:
Google Sheets
Tax preparation software:
Intuit TurboTax
Word processing software:
Google Docs
Microsoft Word
General Software Tools
Accounting software (scroll table below):
Accounts payable software
Accounts receivable software
Accurate NXG
AcorynSystems Activity Based Costing/Management ABC/M
AdaptaSoft CyberPay
ATX Total Accounting Office
ATX Total Engagement Office
Automation Counselors municiPAL
Best MIP Fund Accounting
CCIS AccountAbility
Cost accounting software
CYMA IV Accounting for Windows
Evron Computer Systems SAGE PFW (Platinum For Windows)
Financial reporting software
Financial statement software
FRx Software Microsoft FRx
Fund accounting software
General ledger software
Heron CrossTie General Ledger
Lead Activity Analyzer
Lead Business Analyzer
Micronetics Xpert Write-up
Multiview Accounts Receivable
New Millennium Communications Genesis Accounting
Pro Systems Client Write-Up System for Windows
Profit Developers Electronic File Interchange
PROPHIX Enterprise
Roundtable Software Advantage Accounting System
Sage 50 Accounting
Sage BusinessWorks
Sage CPAAccounts Payable
Sage CPAAccounts Receivable
Sage CPAClient Checkbook
Sageworks ProfitCents
Softrax Revenue Management
Summit Software Summit Biofuels Accounting
Tax software
UA Business Software Professional Edition
Analytical or scientific software:
ACL Audit Exchange
Arbutus Analyzer
Guidance Software EnCase Enterprise
WizSoft WizRule
Billing and invoicing software:
Billing software
Choice Technologies PowerBill +
Client billing software
Invoice software
Business intelligence and data analysis software:
IBM Cognos Impromptu
Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition
Qlik Tech QlikView
Compliance software (scroll table below):
Accounting compliance software
ACCUCert
Bi3 Audit Intelligence
Corporate Responsibility System Technologies Limited Compliance Positioning System
Intrax ProcedureNet
Lumigent Entegra
Paisley Cardmap
Paisley Focus Control Assurance
Paisley RiskNavigator
Sage EDP Payroll Tax
Sage HandiSoft HandiLedger
Tax compliance property tax management software
TrendTracker Compliance Solution
Customer relationship management CRM software:
Blackbaud The Raiser's Edge
Data base management system software:
Apache Solr
Data base reporting software:
ADP Super Report Writer
SAP Crystal Reports
Data base user interface and query software (scroll table below):
Best Software CPAPayroll
Data entry software
Database software
FileMaker Pro
Practice management software PMS
Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate
Yardi Systems Yardi Enterprise
Data mining software:
Data extraction software
WizSoft WizWhy
Desktop communications software:
Eko
Desktop publishing software:
Microsoft Publisher
Development environment software:
eXtensible Business Reporting Language XBRL
Document management software:
Document management system software
Iron Mountain Accutrac records management software
OmniRIM Records Management Suite
Sage CPADocument Manager
Electronic mail software:
IBM Notes
Microsoft Exchange
Enterprise application integration software:
SAP BusinessObjects Data Integrator
Enterprise resource planning ERP software (scroll table below):
Accountants Templates JAZZ-It!
AcornSystems Corporate Performance Management
Cartesis ES Magnitude
Exact Software Macola ES
Lawson ERP
Microsoft Dynamics
Microsoft Dynamics GP
Microsoft Dynamics NAV
Microsoft Dynamics SL
NetSuite ERP
Oracle Fusion Applications
Oracle Hyperion
Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne
Oracle PeopleSoft Financials
Sage ERP Accpac
Sage MAS 200 ERP
Sage Platinum for Windows PFW
SAP Business Objects
Enterprise system management software:
IBM Power Systems software
Financial analysis software (scroll table below):
Accounting fraud detection software
ACL Business Assurance Analytics
Audit management software
Audit planning and control environment software
AuditWare CaseWare Examiner
AuditWare financial reporting and auditing software
Automated auditors fraud detector software
Bi3 Financial Statement Fraud Analysis
BizBench
BNA Corporate Tax Audit Analyzer
Brentmark Estate Planning Quickview
Cammack Computations Inter-Est
Cartesis Magnitude iAnalysis
CaseWare International IDEA
CaseWare International IDEA SmartAnalyzer
CaseWare Working Papers
CashFlow Guardian
Cebos MQ1 Audit System
D'Arcangelo Galileo
Datavantage
Delphi Technology
Digital analysis tests and statistics DATAS for Excel
Digital analysis tests and statistics DATAS for SAS
Estate planning software
Financial Competence
Fixed-assets depreciation software
IAD Audit Leverage
InformationActive ActiveData for Excel
Internal audit software
Kirix ProffiPoint
MethodWare ProAudit Advisor
Microsoft FRx
MRO Audit Tracker
Oracle E-Business Suite Financials
OSI TrustWise
Paisley AutoAudit
Paisley IssueTrack
Palisade @Risk
Pentana audit work system PAWS
Pleier Audit Management System
PricewaterhouseCoopers TeamMate
Recovery audit software
RSM McGladrey Advanced Practice Solutions Paperless Audit
RSM McGladrey Auditor Assistant
Sage MAS 500
Sampson Data Pattern Index software
Solutions Technology & Software HR Premier
Star Software Fixed Asset Depreciation
Star Software Materiality Calculator
Sync Essentials Trade Accountant
Thomson Creative Solutions Engagement CS
Thomson Creative Solutions Financial Analysis CS
Thomson PPC e-Tools Suite
TimeValue software
TopCAATs
Tropics workers' compensation software
Human resources software:
ADP Workforce Now
CPSI EHR System
Human resource management software HRMS
Sage HRMS
Information retrieval or search software:
LexisNexis
Inventory management software:
Asset management software
Medical software:
Healthcare common procedure coding system HCPCS
Medical condition coding software
Medical procedure coding software
Office suite software:
Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
Microsoft Works
Presentation software:
Google Slides
Risk management data and analysis software:
Thomson Reuters Risk Management
Tax preparation software (scroll table below):
1099 ProsSoftware
Abacus Tax
Advanced Micro Systems 1099-Etc
American Riviera Magtax
ATX Total Tax Office
Avalara AvaTax ST
BNA Estate and Gift Tax Suite
BNA Income Tax Planning Solutions
BNA Sales and Use Tax Rates and Forms
CCH ProSystem fx TAX
Creative Solutions UltraTax 1040
H&R Block Tax
IDMS Account Ability
Income tax return preparation software
Intellitax financial solutions software
Intuit Lacerte
Intuit ProSeries
KPB Associates TaxStream
NewPortWave Year End Solutions
Thomson GoSystem Tax
Universal Tax Systems TaxWise
Time accounting software:
Payroll software
WorkForce Software EmpCenter Time and Attendance
Transaction security and virus protection software:
NortonLifeLock cybersecurity software
Transaction server software:
Tumbleweed SecureTransport
Video creation and editing software:
TechSmith Camtasia
Word processing software:
Microsoft OneNote
Preparation Required
Preparation Required - How much preparation is needed to obtain this type of job?
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, conservation scientists, art directors, and cost estimators.
Training and Experience Required

Training and Experience Required - by frequency of training and work experience attainment
This section shows you how often different types of training and work experience are required for this occupation. How can you start gaining the kinds of experience and training that are most common for this type of work?
Frequency of Attainment (%) Level of Training and Work Experience
Frequency of Attainment: 34.5 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: None
Frequency of Attainment: 34.5 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
Frequency of Attainment: 6.9 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Up to and including 1 month
Frequency of Attainment: 6.9 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Frequency of Attainment: 6.9 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Frequency of Attainment: 6.9 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
Frequency of Attainment: 3.5 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months
Certifications
Certifications
These are examples of certifications that may be important for this occupation. How can you begin exploring which certifications fit your goals and what steps you would need to take to earn them?
Accredited Business Accountant/Advisor External Link
Accredited in Business Valuation External Link
Accredited Management Accountant External Link
Anti-Bribery Management System Auditor External Link
Associate in Insurance Accounting and Finance External Link
Associate in Premium Auditing External Link
Auditor Q1 External Link
Certification in Risk Management Assurance External Link
Certified Biomedical Auditor External Link
Certified Business Continuity Auditor External Link
Certified Business Continuity Lead Auditor External Link
Certified Clinical Financial Auditor External Link
Certified Community Bank Auditor External Link
Certified Credit Union Internal Auditor External Link
Certified Environmental Management Systems Auditor External Link
Certified Food Safety Auditor External Link
Certified HACCP Auditor External Link
Certified in Financial Forensics External Link
Certified Income Specialist External Link
Certified Insolvency and Restructuring Advisor External Link
Certified Internal Auditor External Link
Certified Internal Management Systems Auditor External Link
Certified International Tax Analyst External Link
Certified Medical Device Management Systems Auditor External Link
Certified Medical Device Single Auditor External Link
Certified Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems Auditor External Link
Certified Process Safety Management Auditor External Link
Certified Public Accountant External Link
Certified Quality Auditor External Link
Certified Responsible Care Auditor External Link
Certified Valuation Analyst External Link
Certified Water Quality Management System Auditor External Link
FITSP-Auditor External Link
FITSP-Designer External Link
FITSP-Manager External Link
FITSP-Operator External Link
Forensic Certified Public Accountant External Link
GIAC Assessing and Auditing Wireless Networks External Link
Internal Auditor Q2 External Link
Oracle Financials Cloud: General Ledger 2021 Implementation Essentials External Link
Oracle Financials Cloud: Payables 2021 Certified Implementation Specialist External Link
Oracle Financials Cloud: Receivables 2021 Certified Implementation Specialist External Link
Personal Financial Specialist External Link
Quality Management System Auditor External Link
SAP Certified Application Associate - Financial Accounting with SAP ERP 6.0 EhP7 External Link
Related Careers to Consider


Step 4 of 4: Career-Specific Resources

This section contains detailed external resources appropriate to "Accountants and Auditors". Explore these resources to start learning more. Links are constantly updated, so bookmark this page.

Videos

Here is a listing of videos related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.


Resumes

Here are resources that allow you to see example resumes for this occupation. It may be helpful to see examples from others who have this type of experience.


Job Description

Here are resources that provide job descriptions, which are vital for resume and interview preparation.


Interviews

There are many great resources that can help guide you through the interview process. These links provide help in preparing and performing an effective interview, specific to this occupation.


Salary Data

Here are links to help you identify salary ranges for this occupation. These data are necessary prior to effective salary negotiations.


Raises

Here are resources that help you to prepare to ask for a raise. These links will help you to prepare for the salary negotiation process.


Jobs

Here are resources that lead to links for actual jobs related to "Accountants and Auditors". Use these links to find a job.


Jobs

Here are resources that lead to links for actual jobs related to "Accountants and Auditors". Use these links to find a job.


Classifieds

There are various sources for job classified ads. These links should help get you started to find a job for this occupation.


Step-by-Step

Here are links to help guide you, step-by-step, to become a(n): Accountants and Auditors


Career Change

Here are resources to help you prepare for a career change. It is helpful to look carefully at the information provided in Section 3: Career Change (detailed previously on this page) prior to using these links. There is much to learn ...


LinkedIn®

Here are links to various posts and groups from LinkedIn ® that relate to this occupation. Great way to start building professional contacts in the field that might be most appropriate for you.


Career Path

Here are links to various resources to help you explore the career path related to the "Accountants and Auditors" occupation.






Developed by Dr. Ralph Jagodka, Ed.D., Professor Emeritus of Business Management at Mt. San Antonio College and author of the Harvard Business Impact article "What to Do When Students Ask You for Career Advice." - Full bio. © 2026 About This Page