What's the difference between an accountant and an auditor? Basically, accountants keep track of the money, and auditors check their work. But there's much more to the work than simply 'balancing the books.' These financial professionals are involved in nearly every area of all types of business, industry, and government.

Budgeting, planning, cost control, employee compensation, asset management, new product development, and of course, taxes. If money's involved, accountants and auditors must be too. In fact, so many areas need accounting and auditing services that many professionals opt to specialize.

Some become tax specialists. Others become employee benefits experts, while still others concentrate on preparing the income statements and balance sheets every publicly held corporation must file.

To take full advantage of the many opportunities, you need to have at least a bachelor's degree in accounting. If you hope to become a 'certified public accountant' or 'CPA,' in many states you will need 150 semester hours of coursework to be eligible to take the state exam.

Unlike most professionals, auditors and accountants have tremendous flexibility in where they work and in the jobs they perform. And, as long as there is money to spend, there will always be jobs to fill and work to do.