What can I do with this degree?
ACCOUNTING
AREA: PUBLIC ACCOUNTING
-
Auditing/Assurance
Services
-
Tax
-
Environmental Accounting
-
Forensic/Investigative Accounting
-
Information Technology Services
-
International Accounting
-
Personal Financial Planning
EMPLOYERS
-
Large/multinational, Regional, or Local Public accounting firms
-
Sole practitioners
STRATEGIES
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, i.e. the equivalent of an undergraduate
degree in accounting. State laws govern the practice of accountancy
and specify the
requirements to be eligible to sit for the CPA exam. In most states,
the State Board of Accountancy has a website that outlines those requirements.
AREA: CORPORATE ACCOUNTING
-
Financial
Management
-
Financial Reporting
-
Internal Auditing
-
Cost Accounting
-
Tax Planning
-
Budget Analysis
EMPLOYERS
-
Companies of all sizes, in all industries
STRATEGIES
Many managers in corporate settings obtain
an MBA degree after several years of work experience.
AREA: GOVERNMENT
-
Auditing
-
Financial Reporting
-
Financial Management
-
Budget Analysis
-
Research
EMPLOYERS
Federal agencies and departments including:
-
Federal Bureau of Investigation
-
Internal Revenue Service
-
Department
of the Treasury
-
General Accounting Office
-
Office of Management
and Budget
-
Securities
Exchange Commission
-
State and
local agencies
STRATEGIES
Become familiar with the government application process.
AREA: EDUCATION
-
Teaching
-
Research
-
Consulting
EMPLOYERS
-
Universities and colleges
STRATEGIES
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.
AREA: NON-PROFIT
-
Accounting
-
Internal Audit
-
Financial Planning
-
Budgeting
-
Money Handling
-
Record Keeping
EMPLOYERS
-
Social service agencies and organizations
-
Hospitals
-
Public school systems
-
Universities and colleges
-
Religious organizations
-
Libraries and museums
-
Political parties
-
Labor unions
STRATEGIES
Volunteer at non-profit organizations
and build a network of contacts in the non-profit sector.
GENERAL INFORMATION
-
Earn good grades. Grades are an indicator of technical competence
in accounting and of a person’s work ethic.
-
Actively participate in student organizations to develop leadership skills.
-
Develop excellent computer skills.
-
Learn to work well within in a team.
-
Develop strong communication skills.
-
Gain work experience and information about careers through internships.
-
Join Beta Alpha Psi, the honorary fraternity for accounting and finance information
professionals, to gain knowledge about the accounting profession.
-
Certifications available through the Institute of Internal Auditors or the
Institute of Management Accountants may increase job marketability in some areas
of accounting.
-
Accounting students should develop their analytical, critical-thinking and
problem solving skills. Develop high ethical standards.
-
Accuracy and attention to detail are important traits for accountants.
-
Accounting is a versatile degree. Students who graduate with a major in accounting
may find jobs in many areas of business including: sales, production management,
client management, product development, procurement, general management, banking
and financial planning.
To top
