For parents returning to work - top 20 jobs

Research by Money Magazine and Salary.com: You traded working lunches for PTA meetings and PB&Js. Now you want a challenging job that can bend to make room for family life.

By Carolyn Bigda, Jennifer Merritt and Donna Rosato

5 of 20

A top 5 pick

Accountant

5 tips for parents returning to work
Full report at Salary.com

With a shortage of accountants, the field has become more flexible and family-friendly and less wed to the nine-to-five routine. If corporate life doesn't appeal to you, try keeping the books for a local business or nonprofit.

	Salary	Total compensation (includes bonus)
Median Pay: $41,100
Most people make: 90% in this job make more than:	$32,100	$32,900
Top earners: 10% in this job make more than:	$48,300	$50,100

10-year Job Growth: 22%
Growth in Jobs	263,854
Total openings	485,893

Career Description

Prepares balance sheets, profit and loss statements, and other financial reports. Responsibilities also include analyzing trends, costs, revenues, financial commitments, and obligations incurred to predict future revenues and expenses. Reports organization's finances to management, and offers suggestions about resource utilization, tax strategies, and assumptions underlying budget forecasts. Has knowledge of commonly-used concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field. Relies on instructions and pre-established guidelines to perform the functions of the job. Works under immediate supervision. Primary job functions do not typically require exercising independent judgment. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager.

Education/Experience

May require a bachelor's degree in accounting and 0-2 years of experience in the field or in a related area.

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