THE ACCOUNTING PROFESSION

Accounting is an old profession. Records of business transactions have been prepared for centuries. However, only during the last half-century accounting has been accepted as a profession with the same importance as the medical or legal profession. Positions in the field of accounting may be divided into several areas. Two general classifications are public accounting and private accounting. Public accountants are those who serve the general public and collect professional fees for their work, much as doctors and lawyers do. Their work includes auditing, income tax planning and preparation, and management consulting. Public accountants are a small fraction (about 10 percent) of all accountants. Those public accountants who have met certain professional requirements are designated as Certified Public Accountants (CPAs).

Private accountants work for a single business, such as a local department store, the McDonald's restaurant chain, or the Eastman Kodak Company. Charitable organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies also employ private accountants. The chief accounting officer usually has the title of controller, treasurer, or chief financial officer. Whatever the title, this person usually carries the status of vice-president.

Some public accountants pool their talents and work together within a single firm. Most public accounting firms are also called CPA firms because most of their professional employees are CPAs. CPA firms vary greatly in size. Some are small businesses, and others are medium-sized partnerships. The largest CPA firms are worldwide partnerships with over 2,000 partners. Such huge firms are necessary because some of their clients are so large and their operations are so complex.

In contrast to public accountants who provide accounting services for many clients, management accountants provide accounting services for a single business. In a company with many management accountants, the executive officer in charge of the accounting activity is often called a controller.

IV. Find the English equivalents for:

финансовый отчет, уставной капитал(собственный акционерный капитал), стоимость, активы, доход, снимать со счета деньги, доступ, подоходный налог

V. Answer the questions to the text:

1. What are two general classifications in the field of accounting?

2. What are public accountants? What does their work include?

3. What(Who) do private accountants work for?

4. Why are huge accounting firms necessary?

5. Who do management accountants provide their services for?

6. What is CPA?

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