What can I do with this major?
Accounting
Public Accounting
Area
- Auditing/assurance Services
- Tax
- Environmental Accounting
- Forensic/Investigative Accounting
- International Accounting
- Personal Financial Planning
Employer
- Public Accounting Firms:
- Large, multinational
- Regional
- Local
- Sole practitioners
Information/Strategies
- Public accounting firms hire candidates who meet the educational requirements for sitting for the Certified Public Accounting (CPA) exam: 150 hours of education including 24 hours of accounting, i.e. the equivalent of an undergraguate 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.
Corporate Accounting
Area
- Financial Management
- Financial Reporting
- Internal Auditing
- Cost Accounting
- Tax Planning
- Budget Analysis
Employer
- Companies of all sizes, in all industries
Information/Strategies
- Many managers in corporate settings obtain an MBA degree after several years of work experience.
Government
Area
- Auditing
- Financial Reporting
- Financial Management
- Budget Analysis
- Research
Employer
- Federal agencies and departments including:
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Internal Revenue Service
- Department of Treasury
- General Accounting Office
- Office of Management and Budget
- Securities Exchange Commision
- State and local agencies
Information/Strategies
- Complete an internship in a government agency.
- Become familiar with the government application process.
- Accounting is a “hot area” in government hiring and many opportunities exist in the public sector.
Education
Area
- Teaching
- Researching
- Consulting
Employer
- Universities and colleges
Information/Strategies
- A Ph.D. in Accounting or a DBA, Doctorate in Business Administration, in accounting is generally required.
- Maintain a high g.p.a. and secure strong faculty recommendations for admittance into graduate school.
Non-profit
Area
- Accounting
- Internal Audit
- Financial Planning
- Budgeting
- Money Handling
- Record Keeping
Employer
- Social service agencies and organizations
- Hospitals
- Public school systems
- Universities and colleges
- Religious organizations
- Libraries and museums
- Political parties
- Labor unions
Information/Strategies
- Volunteer at non-profit organizations and build a network of contacts in the non-profit sector.
General Information and Strategies
- Earn good grades. Grades are an indicator of technical competence in accounting and of a person’s work ethic.
- Potential employers place a big emphasis on strong interpersonal skills. Demonstrate these skills by having a well-rounded background.
- Actively participate in student organizations to develop leadership skills.
- Develop excellent computer skills.
- Learn to work well within a team.
- Develop strong communication skills.
- Gain work experience and learn information about careers through internships. Consider completing internships in the spring semster, not just summer term.
- 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: banking, financial planning, sales, production management, client management, product development, procurement, and general management.