The first thing that you will need if you wish to work with a corporation firm in compliance is an accounting degree, since many of the issues that you will deal with will be financial. Since many small changes will come to you on a daily basis, you must be able to crunch numbers and make sure that the product is still viable with these alterations. In many cases, these numbers could save or completely ruin an intended project, so make sure that you are willing to take on this type of responsibility before taking any compliance jobs.
Since there are a number of different regulations that you will need to be aware of, make sure that you take the time to learn about these issues before applying for any jobs in compliance. For example, you will not only have to deal with financial issues, but also technical and manufacturing issues that will arise. Your ability to integrate all of these things together will determine whether or not you are able to receive a raise or promotion in the future, which will determine how successful your career in compliance ends up being.
Another thing to keep in mind with compliance jobs is that you might have to start at the bottom of the company. In most cases, those who end up in corporation compliance start off by taking entry level accounting positions. These positions are actually very high paying as far as entry level positions go, but they also require long hours to start. Make sure that you learn as much as possible about other positions within the company once you start, as there is a great deal of room for growth if you have an accounting degree.
Once you have one of these jobs in compliance, it is time to begin giving yourself additional tools that will help you long term. Many individuals will begin by going for an advanced degree, which is something that many potential employers will view in high regard. Getting your MBA is definitely a good investment in your future, especially if you plan on moving up into greater roles within the company. Your MBA can also be attained by taking night courses, so it will not take away from your work schedule. Most new executives have their MBA, so it is worth looking into if you plan on seeking promotions anytime soon.
Compliance jobs are very much based on routine, as you must be able to make the rounds everyday and ensure that everything is on track. There will be many documents to look over along the way and numbers to compare, but a routine will help you to keep everything in order and will prevent chaos from ensuing later on. It might also help you to speak with others who work within the industry to see how they handle their day-to-day operations. There might be some little tricks that you can pick up that will help you to maximize your professional skills, which will also help when seeking a promotion. There are many conferences held in major cities every year, so these might be worth attending, especially if you are just starting out in compliance.
Jobs in compliance call for workers to compare many different financial and safety based aspects of a company's operations, so these individuals are counted on to keep the company running smoothly. If any major issues get by the compliance officer who inspects it, the company could face some serious financial repercussions in the near future. Because of this, compliance jobs should only be taken by people who are truly serious about their jobs and will pay extra attention to every document that comes across their desks.
