3 answers
Willie
Student
Lancaster, Texas
1
Question
Asked
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What type businesses should I be targeting with an accounting degree ?
I am a soon to be graduate and I’m looking to start my career upon graduation.
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3 answers
Christopher Williams, CEBS, PMP
Senior Engagement Manager
36
Answers
Woodstock, Georgia
Updated
Christopher’s Answer
Hey Willie,
I have two kids in college, so I know a bit about choosing degrees that lead to good jobs. With an accounting degree, you have lots of options. You can go for traditional jobs like public accounting, auditing, and tax work, or try something different like financial analysis, forensic accounting, or even roles in finance and management. Here are some ideas:
- **Public Accountant (CPA):** Work at accounting firms doing audits, taxes, and consulting.
- **Auditor:** Check financial records to make sure everything is accurate and follows the rules.
- **Tax Accountant:** Handle tax returns and give advice on tax issues.
- **Management Accountant:** Use financial data to help businesses make smart decisions.
- **Government Accountant:** Work for government offices, making sure they follow financial rules.
- **Bookkeeper:** Keep track of financial records and transactions.
- **Financial Analyst:** Look at financial data to give advice on investments and trends.
- **Forensic Accountant:** Investigate financial crimes and fraud.
- **Cost Accountant:** Help manage and analyze costs in a company.
- **Financial Controller:** Manage a company's financial activities.
- **Entrepreneur:** Start your own accounting or financial business.
- **Consultant:** Offer your financial or accounting skills to help businesses.
I have two kids in college, so I know a bit about choosing degrees that lead to good jobs. With an accounting degree, you have lots of options. You can go for traditional jobs like public accounting, auditing, and tax work, or try something different like financial analysis, forensic accounting, or even roles in finance and management. Here are some ideas:
- **Public Accountant (CPA):** Work at accounting firms doing audits, taxes, and consulting.
- **Auditor:** Check financial records to make sure everything is accurate and follows the rules.
- **Tax Accountant:** Handle tax returns and give advice on tax issues.
- **Management Accountant:** Use financial data to help businesses make smart decisions.
- **Government Accountant:** Work for government offices, making sure they follow financial rules.
- **Bookkeeper:** Keep track of financial records and transactions.
- **Financial Analyst:** Look at financial data to give advice on investments and trends.
- **Forensic Accountant:** Investigate financial crimes and fraud.
- **Cost Accountant:** Help manage and analyze costs in a company.
- **Financial Controller:** Manage a company's financial activities.
- **Entrepreneur:** Start your own accounting or financial business.
- **Consultant:** Offer your financial or accounting skills to help businesses.
Rebecca Tang
Banking
2029
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. Congratulations for your graduation!
Below are my suggestions:
1. There are many careers you can consider, eg Accountant, Auditor, Finance Manager, Financial analyst, Corporate Banker, Investment banker, etc. You can find out more relevant careers online.
2. Find out more on this careers and determine what you have interest
3. Speak to someone who are working in these careers. Seek guidance from your mentor, college career counselor, your parents, etc
4. Shortlist 1-2 careers you would like to pursue
5. Explore any intern opportunities in relevant careers
Hope this helps! Good luck!
Below are my suggestions:
1. There are many careers you can consider, eg Accountant, Auditor, Finance Manager, Financial analyst, Corporate Banker, Investment banker, etc. You can find out more relevant careers online.
2. Find out more on this careers and determine what you have interest
3. Speak to someone who are working in these careers. Seek guidance from your mentor, college career counselor, your parents, etc
4. Shortlist 1-2 careers you would like to pursue
5. Explore any intern opportunities in relevant careers
Hope this helps! Good luck!
Praveen Krishnan
Strategy
5
Answers
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Updated
Praveen’s Answer
Hi Willie,
The good news is that your skills as an accountant can be applied to pretty much any business/ industry that exists in the world.
I'd encourage you to reframe the question from what 'business' to what 'role/function' should you prepare yourself for?
Because who you become as a professional:
- should be anchored on what brings you joy. (this means figuring out what whether you like audits, taxation and laws, finance and company evaluation etc.)
- is disproportionately hinged on how much you learn in the first 5 years. So look for companies that can offer you a diversity of career skills/pathways within accounting. Again this could be in any industry. As a thumb rule - large organizations often have specialized functions that limit cross learning. Smaller orgs and startups usually have fewer people doing a lot of things so that will give you more exposure
-
The good news is that your skills as an accountant can be applied to pretty much any business/ industry that exists in the world.
I'd encourage you to reframe the question from what 'business' to what 'role/function' should you prepare yourself for?
Because who you become as a professional:
- should be anchored on what brings you joy. (this means figuring out what whether you like audits, taxation and laws, finance and company evaluation etc.)
- is disproportionately hinged on how much you learn in the first 5 years. So look for companies that can offer you a diversity of career skills/pathways within accounting. Again this could be in any industry. As a thumb rule - large organizations often have specialized functions that limit cross learning. Smaller orgs and startups usually have fewer people doing a lot of things so that will give you more exposure
-