In Oregon, an internationally recognized leader in environmental policy, an accounting/business administration degree can not only lead to an in-demand career, but with it you can help protect the earth.

By Jessica Santina
RWM Columnist
March 06, 2007

On the day before January's State of the Union address, chief executives from 10 major U.S. companies joined four environmental organizations to take a monumental step to protect the environment. Representatives of PG&E, Alcoa, BP and other huge companies proposed to Congress a mandatory reduction in greenhouse gas pollution.

These executives agree that these mandatory reductions are essential to reducing pollution--and with the right financial management, they could be imposed without economic harm. If companies want to manage these changes without hurting their stockholders, they'll need certified public accountants (CPAs) skilled in environmental risk management, tax credits and materials costs. According to Murphy Smith, CPA, an accounting professor at Texas A&M University, "For Fortune 500 companies, environmental management is an ongoing responsibility for accountants and others assigned to control risk."

Fertile Ground for an Accounting Career
CPAs specializing in environmental accounting can help a company analyze the costs of pollution prevention, and evaluate the costs of more environmentally sensitive materials and processes. These CPAs can also help companies take advantage of tax credits or incentives related to green policies.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that accounting jobs will grow faster than average through 2014. The median annual salary for accountants in 2004 was $50,770. A CPA certification is generally all that's required to get started, as there is no officially recognized specialization or credential in environmental accounting.

If you're interested in an accounting career that's not just about crunching numbers, environmental accounting may be a great career for you. And the best way to begin is with a four-year degree in accounting/business administration in Oregon.

Green and Mean in Oregon
Earning an accounting/business administration degree in Oregon is a great way to begin an environmental accounting career. Oregon offers several advantages to environmentally sensitive businesses, such as tax credits for green facilities, as well as tailored energy management programs, cash incentives, and renewable power options. Businesses are attracted to Oregon because of its low tax burden and international access; it has the fourth lowest effective business state and local tax rate in the country, and the Port of Portland gives the state easy access by sea, air and rail.

Begin your accounting/business administration degree program in Oregon now, and soon you'll be seeing green in more ways than one.

Sources

• Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Accountants and auditors"
• Monster.com Finance, "Environmental Accountants Do It for the Green"
• Oregon Economic & Community Development Department
• USA Today, "Industry execs call for action on climate-changing pollution"

About the Author
Jessica Santina is a freelance writer with a background in media and marketing. She also teaches first-year writing courses at the University of Nevada, Reno.