The role of an IT specialist is to manage the computer systems and information tracking of a company. Those pursuing careers in IT and computers must constantly be ready to update their equipment and software to keep abreast of the transformations that occur in the field. The U.S. is slowly moving over to the International Financial Reporting Standards as the global rule for accounting practices in the future. Although the exact date hasn't yet been set, many companies - especially those dealing with international business - must already work with the new standards. The SEC has indicated that when the switch does occur it will expect the three previous years of reporting to be presented under the new standard, requiring many companies to begin revamping their computer systems and reporting methods now. The increasing use of technology and computers in the workplace leads the Bureau of Labor Statistics to predict faster growth for employment in this sector than the national employment average over the next few years. There were approximately a quarter-million people employed as computer and information systems managers in the U.S. in 2006 and that number is expected to increase by 16 percent, to about 300,000 workers, by 2016.  |