Accounting: What Can I Do With This Degree?
Public Accounting
- Auditing/Assurance services
- Tax
- Environmental accounting
- Forensic/Investigative accounting
- Information technology services
- International accounting
- Personal financial planning
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Employers
- Public accounting firms, including large and multinational, regional, and local
- Sole practitioners
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Information & 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 these requirements.
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Corporate Accounting
- Financial management
- Financial reporting
- Internal auditing
- Cost accounting
- Tax planning
- Budget analysis
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Employers
- Companies of all sizes, in all industries
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Information & Strategies
- Many managers in corporate settings obtain an MBA degree after several years of work experience.
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Government
- Auditing
- Financial reporting
- Financial management
- Budget analysis
- Research
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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
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Information & Strategies
- Become familiar with the government application process.
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Education
- Teaching
- Research
- Consulting
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Employers
- Universities and colleges
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Information & Strategies
- A PhD 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.
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Nonprofit
- Accounting
- Internal audit
- Financial planning
- Budgeting
- Money handling
- Record keeping
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Employers
- Social service agencies and organizations
- Hospitals
- Public school systems
- Universities and colleges
- Religious organizations
- Libraries and museums
- Political parties
- Labor unions
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Information & Strategies
- Volunteer at nonprofit organizations and build a network of contacts in the nonprofit sector.
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Strategies for Placement in Accounting
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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 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.
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Next Steps
Learn about a concentration in accounting through North Park's
business program.