Hiring Hall

As the post-tax season morphs into what I fondly refer to as “graduation season,” a time when many of us are forced to write hundreds of dollars in “good luck” checks to 21-year-olds we see about on about the same average as Halley’s Comet, I wondered what the accounting and finance profession holds in terms of job prospects for those armed with a diploma, ill-fitting mortar board, and an un-jaded work ethic.

Lo and behold, financial staffing concern Accounting Principals has unveiled a list of  the six most in-demand finance and accounting posts for those with skills in those fields and attached the median salaries to each position.

Now, as someone who earned $11,000 his first year out of college with one week’s vacation disguised as a company “perk,” I was fairly amazed to discover that someone who is barely eligible to partake in “adult beverages” has the capacity to earn $55,000 as a financial analyst — a career that, incidentally, topped the list as being the most called for in terms of needing able and skilled bodies.

According to Accounting Principals, analysts are sought after by investment banks, insurance companies and concerns that prepare pension and mutual funds. Whatever.

In the runner-up slot is “accountant.” As regulations become more complex, accountants and CPAs — particularly at the public accounting firms as opposed to those in private industry — apparently are needed like air and the median salary for them ranges from $45k-$55k.

Rounding out the list in order are: Accounts Payable/Receivable Clerk; Auditor (obviously those familiar with Sarbanes-Oxley and its newest regulatory sibling Dodd-Frank have their work cut out for them); Credit Analyst; and, believe it or not, Mortgage Underwriter (I’m guessing that small housing mess a while back has helped vault this job to the No. 6 position.)

The good news is that no matter how much the economy fluctuates there will remain a demand to fill accounting and finance positions, as even companies in Chapter 11 need to file tax returns. But I remain envious as to their earning potential out of the chute, not to mention I’m sure they get a few more vacation and personal days than I did and will not have to subsist on a diet of Ramen Noodles and Wonder Bread.

For those keeping score at home, I have two more graduation parties to attend this weekend and, not surprisingly, my wife was somehow skeptical when I told her I’ve misplaced our checkbook — again!