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Career Opportunities with a Major in Accounting

Many jobs require a college educated individual. College graduates can use their education in a wide variety of occupations.

Accounting is the language of resouce measurement and management. Careers in accounting are challenging and rewarding, whether they be in private industry, public accounting, or the government sector. Accountants can obtain a variety of professional certifications, including certified public accountant, certified internal auditor, certified fraud examiner, certified information systems auditor, and certified management accountant. Each professional certification program includes rigorous examination and experience requirements. Professional accounting organizations such as the American Institute of CPAs, Colorado Society of CPAs, Institute of Management Accountants, Internal Auditors Association, Information Systems Audit and Control Association, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, and American Accounting Association, have rigorous codes of ethics that their members must follow.

 

SKILLS RELATED TO ACCOUNTING

  • Ability to organize, analyze and interpret numerical data
  • Ability to give advice on financial matters
  • Ability to explain banking, loan, and financial services
  • Ability to plan and administer budgets
  • Ability to examine and evaluate financial records
  • Proficiency in preparing financial reports
  • Proficiency in preparing and organizing numerical records
  • Sound decision-making abilities
  • Proficient in oral and written communications
  • Knowledge of financial and economic history, practices, and trends
  • Able to work independently, or as part of a team
  • Knowledge of the methods for creating and managing change in organizations

The following list is a representative sample of job titles for individuals with an accounting major.
The list represents some, but certainly not all, careers which accounting majors may consider.

Some of these jobs also require education beyond a bachelor's degree.

 

Accountant Actuary Auditor
Bank Executive Bank Manager Bank Representative
Budget Analyst Business Manager Certified Fraud Examiner
Certified Information Systems Auditor Certified Internal Auditor Certified Management Accountant
Certified Public Accountant Chief Executive Officer Chief Financial Officer
Controller Cost Accountant Credit Manager
FBI Agent Financial Analyst Financial Planner
Industrial Accountant Internal Auditor IRS Agent
Investment Banker Management Consultant Professor
Public Accountant Purchasing Agent Research Analyst
Statistician Stockbroker Systems Analyst
Tax Specialist Treasurer Underwriter
Bursar    

 

EMPLOYERS IN ACCOUNTING

  • Banks

  • Colleges/Universities

  • Consulting firms

  • Government agencies

  • Health care

  • Internal Revenue Service

  • Law firms

  • Marketing firms

  • Private industries

  • Research firms

  • Social service agencies

  • Tax firms

  • Federal Bureau of Investigation

 

WEB SITES RELATED TO ACCOUNTING

 

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS IN THIS FIELD

The above information is collected from alumni surveys of numerous colleges, professional associations, and multiple print and online resources.