Assurance services
Business valuing
External auditing
Personal financial planning
Tax
Environmental accounting
Forensic/Investigative accounting
International accounting
Financial accounting
Litigation and risk management consulting
Management consulting
Business valuing
Personal financial planning
Public accounting firms:
Large/multinational, regional, local
Sole practitioners
Public accounting firms hire candidates who meet the educational requirements for sitting for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam: 150 hours of education including 24 hours of accounting. This is 30 more hours than a typical bachelor’s degree. Some schools offer combined five year master degree programs, but a master’s is not required.
State laws govern the practice of accountancy and specify the requirements to be eligible to sit for the CPA exam and gain licensure. In most states, the State Board of Accountancy website outlines those requirements.
Learn about the American Institute of CPA’s offers specialty certifications.
Financial management
Financial reporting
Internal auditing
Cost accounting
Tax planning
Transaction Services
Budget analysis
Information technology
Companies of all sizes, in all industries:
Manufacturing
Retail
Technology
Financial services and insurance
Healthcare
Some entry level positions do not require a CPA although many in higher level positions have both a CPA and a master’s degree.
Many managers in corporate settings obtain an MBA degree after several years of work experience.
The Institute of Management Accountants offers the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) to those who have worked in the field for two years, hold a bachelor’s degree, and pass a two part exam.
Management accountants may move into internal auditing, however it is less likely to move to public accounting.
Auditing
Financial reporting
Financial management
Budget analysis
Research
Federal agencies and departments:
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Internal Revenue Service
Department of Treasury
General Accounting Office
Federal agencies and departments continued:
Office of Management and Budget
Securities Exchange Commission
State and local agencies
Complete an internship in a government agency.
Become familiar with the government application process.
Some government agencies will help pay back student loans with an employee commitment to service for three years.
Accounting is a “hot area” in government hiring and many opportunities exist in the public sector.
Accounting
Internal auditing
Financial planning
Budgeting
Money handling
Record keeping
Social service agencies
Non-profit organizations
Hospitals
Public school systems
Universities and colleges
Religious organizations
Libraries and museums
Political parties
Labor unions
Volunteer at non-profit organizations and build a network of contacts in the non-profit sector.
Teaching
Research
Consulting
Universities and colleges
A Ph.D. in Accounting or a DBA, Doctorate in Business Administration, in accounting is generally required.
Maintain a high GPA and secure strong faculty recommendations for admittance into graduate school.
Earn good grades. Grades are an indicator of technical competence in accounting and of a person’s work ethic.
Potential employers place an emphasis on interpersonal and communication skills. Demonstrate these skills by having well-rounded experiences outside of the classroom.
Actively participate in student organizations to develop leadership skills. Learn to work well within in a team.
Develop excellent computer skills. Learn relevant software packages.
Pursue gaining internships to learn about the field and gain experience. Consider completing internships in the spring semester, in addition to, summer term, to build more connections.
Join Beta Alpha Psi, the honorary fraternity for accounting and finance information professionals, to gain knowledge about the accounting profession.
Develop analytical, critical-thinking/problem solving skills, and understanding of professional ethical standards.
Exhibit accuracy and attention to detail.
Become bi-lingual to give yourself the versatility to work for an international corporation.
Take classes outside of accounting in a related field, i.e. finance or budget analysis, to broaden your scope of knowledge.
Stand out by targeting an area of focus during your training and make yourself an expert in that area.
Certifications available through the Institute of Internal Auditors or the Institute of Management Accountants may increase job marketability in some areas of accounting.
Accounting is a versatile degree. Students who graduate with a major in accounting may find jobs in many areas of business including: banking, financial planning, sales, production management, client management, product development, procurement, and general management.