There are four companies known worldwide that offer accounting and other financial services; they manage the audit for many public or private firms. These are: Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu from the United States, PricewaterhouseCoopers (commonly known as PwC) and Ernst & Young, both from the United Kingdom, and the fourth coming from The Netherlands, KPMG. Of course that any accountant would just love to work for any of these firms, however it might not be such a difficult dream to achieve. Many big companies are in search of a fresh breath in their staff, so checking out their websites, might provide you with the right information and the path to take for a career with them.
Most of the countries will require accountants to be part of some association: Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales for the Chartered Accountants in the United Kingdom. - A note on Chartered Accountants: these were the first accountants to establish a professional body; they appeared in Britain in 1854.
Accountants can work in the private sector, or can be employed by the government, or work for a public institution. All of them have to go through a long period of work in the field, as well as to pass some examinations in order to be admitted. As members of those associations, the accountants are expected to follow its ethics and to gain more valuable experience.
Any accountant member of any association can become a registered auditor (a person who is in charge of ascertaining the validity and reliability of the information), of course if they can prove that they have the required qualifications, skills and experience to do so. Of course, it is against the law for anyone without authorization to perform audit for a firm. To know the amount of salary given to auditors in various states of US, click Auditor Salary in America.
The fields of accounting are just a few: cost, tax, financial, funds, forensic and management. Some of the key concepts associated with this occupation are: book keeping, cost of the goods to be sold, debits and credits, historical costs, revenue recognition and others. Of course, an accountant will know exactly what these terms mean, when they are used and if they need to be used at all.
Do not think that in none of the world's biggest accounting companies there isn't a job opportunity available for you. And if this is indeed the case, keep in mind that there are many other smaller companies that are always in need of new, good accountants. This is a wide spread work field with many opportunities and many career openings, even for people that do now have much previous experience. Just search for the one that fits you the best and you most likely will not be disappointed. Hard work is always rewarded, if you are willing to learn.