The following three tips will help you get started:

1. Conduct a self-audit: Take stock of your abilities, talents and accomplishments. Everything from academic and vocational classes to previous work experience and involvement with professional associations should provide relevant insights into the areas that most engage you. Write down all of the major projects -- including temporary assignments or internships -- in which you have participated during the last few years. Be as specific as possible, detailing what you enjoyed most and the skills you gained from each endeavor.

2. Focus on your position of choice: Consider the context of your ideal job. Do you want to go into public or corporate accounting? Would an opportunity with a non-profit or government agency be your first choice? What would you be doing on a day-to-day basis and in what type of work environment? Would you prefer to be employed in a large or small organization? What hours would you like to work? Would you prefer a permanent position or are you more interested in temporary or project assignments?

3. Getting feedback from others: Consult your accounting professors, colleagues, friends and family about your personality traits and what they feel would be the best fit for you. For this strategy to work, try to gain insights from as many people as you can -- and if possible, from those who've seen you operate in different situations.

ACCOUNTEMPS is a specialized temporary staffing service for accounting, finance and bookkeeping professionals. Accountemps provides support throughout an accounting department. Headquartered in Menlo Park, Calif., Accountemps and has more than 270 offices in North America, Europe and Australia. Accountemps' Career Counselor column, a SmartPros staple for over four years, is refreshed twice a month.