What can I do with a major in Accounting?

Accounting

Areas
1) Public Accounting

• Auditing/Assurance Services
• Tax
• Environmental Accounting
• Forensic/Investigative Accounting
• Information Technology Services
• International Accounting
• Personal Financial Planning
  

Potential 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 web site that outlines those requirements.

Areas
2) 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.

Areas
3) 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, and State and local agencies.

Strategies

• Become familiar with the government application process.

Areas
4) 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.

Areas
5) 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.
  

Printable PDF from UTK Careers

Accounting-related Links

• Accounting: A Career Without Limits
• The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
• Institute of Management Accountants
• The Institute of Internal Auditors
• Information for Accounting from SmartPros
• Accountants and Auditors from the Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Accountemps
• CPA Firms.com
• Careers In Business

Brought to you by the Plymouth State University College of University Studies and the Office of the Dean of the Academic Experience. Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville.