Welcome to one of our new features on WorldWideBlog (ok, to be fair, everything on this blog is a new feature). Every now and again, when we find a particularly interesting career path to write about, we’ll give you a bit of a profile and tell you where you can find more info. And, as always, if you have some info of your own to share, please post it in the comments!

Why are we spotlighting careers on an education blog? Because the two are very intimately connected. Education for its own sake is a noble goal, but one really only attained by the upper class. For most of the population, education is a tool, and that tool is designed to increase your career success, whether you need some auto repair training or a PhD.

Today’s profile comes courtesy of the Globe and Mail’s Report on Business, where they detail the exciting life (no, seriously) of Malcom McArthur, accountant. McArthur, a Canadian who’s always had a bit of wanderlust, signed up for his first accounting job with Intercontinental Hotels. The multinational chain put him to work doing audits in Europe, restoring a building in Africa and overseeing training programs in South America. He spent years as an assistant financial director based in Pakistan, and later worked for NGOs like Free the Children and Doctors Without Borders. Today, he’s the chief accountant for Engineers Without Borders Canada, which operates on the same principle as the physicians’ group – sending volunteers to developing countries to help improve infrastructure and local quality of life.

McArthur’s experience might be rare, but it’s not inaccessible. Every business in the world needs someone to handle its money, and if you enjoy working with numbers and finance, an accounting career could take you just about anywhere you want to go.

Prefer to stay stateside? It’s still a smart career move. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, prompted by corporate scandals like Enron and WorldCom, piled new financial regulations onto companies who now need more and better trained accountants to handle the books. The National Association of Colleges and Employers ranks accounting at the top of the list of best jobs for prospective employees this year. As Baby Boomer accountants retire, the race is already on to hire new candidates; starting salaries average $45-50,000 per year nationally.

To get started, your best bet is a bachelor’s degree in accounting. There are associate’s degrees available, if you’re anxious to get into the workforce, but the BS will qualify you for better jobs. Once you’ve gotten your degree, you may consider taking the CPA exam to become a Certified Public Accountant. This will definitely boost your career options, although it’s not a requirement for all accounting jobs. If you’ve been through all that and want to move up even more, look for a Master of Science in Accounting or an MBA with an accounting focus.

You can, of course, take any of these bad boys online if you don’t live next door to Harvard. Good luck!