The accounting field offers a wide range of job opportunities with excellent growth and earning potential. Accountants are essential to the financial management of businesses and organizations, making them an essential part of any public, private, or non-profit organization.
In this blog, we’ll explore nine exciting jobs you can pursue with a degree in accounting, highlighting the unique skills and qualifications needed for each position. So if you’re interested in pursuing a career in accounting, keep reading to discover the diverse array of opportunities available.
- Public Accountant:
Public accountants work with individuals or businesses to prepare financial statements, perform audits, and offer tax advice. They work with various clients, ranging from small business owners to large corporations. They also need to have excellent communication skills, be detail-oriented, and be able to work under pressure.
To be a public accountant, a bachelor’s degree in accounting, and depending on your job responsibilities, you may also need to be a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA). The career growth of public accountants is expected to grow faster than average, with an expected salary of a median of $84,069.
- Entrepreneur
For many people, entrepreneurship is an appealing career path. However, to be a successful entrepreneur, you will need to have various skills. You should have a strong foundation in accounting principles and practices. Additionally, you will need to manage your finances, including bookkeeping, financial planning, and tax preparation.
To achieve the following above skills, an accounting degree is required. If your business is already up and running, attending classes physically might seem impossible. In that case, you can opt for an online business program, which will give you the financial knowledge and business acumen to start and run your own business.
- Financial Analyst
Financial analysts help individuals and businesses make investment decisions by analyzing financial data. They evaluate economic and industry trends, review company financial statements, and provide investment recommendations. A financial analyst should have excellent analytical skills, attention to detail, and communication skills.
The minimum educational requirement for becoming a financial analyst is a bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, or a related field. The career outlook for financial analysts is favorable, with a projected job growth of 9% from 2021 to 2031. The median annual wage for financial analysts is $95570.
- Budget Analyst:
Another exciting career path for individuals with an accounting degree is that of a budget analyst. Budget analysts are responsible for analyzing financial data to determine the efficiency of an organization’s budgeting and spending. They work closely with the management team to identify areas where the organization can cut costs, as well as areas where they can invest more resources.
A budget analyst typically holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance, and some experience in the field is preferred. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a positive job outlook for budget analysts, with a projected growth rate of 3% between 2021 and 2031. The median annual salary for budget analysts in the United States is $79,9400.
- Financial Planner:
Financial planners work with individuals and families to create financial plans for the future. They evaluate the current financial situation and make recommendations for investments, retirement planning, and estate planning. Financial planners can work independently, earn high salaries, and grow professionally.
To b a financial planner, you will need a bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance, strong analytical skills, and the ability to communicate effectively with clients. The median annual salary for planners is $94,170.
- Chief Financial Officer:
The chief financial officer (CFO) is the top financial executive of an organization and is responsible for managing and directing all aspects of the organization’s financial operations. They work closely with the CEO and other senior executives to develop and implement financial strategies that support the organization’s goals and objectives.
CFOs typically have bachelor’s degrees in accounting, finance, or a related field, as well as extensive experience in accounting or finance. Jobs for top executives, including CFOs, are expected to grow, with a projected growth rate of 17% between 2021 and 2031. The median annual salary for top executives is $131,700.
- Investment Banker:
Investment bankers are responsible for helping governments and enterprises raise money by issuing and selling securities, such as stocks and bonds. They work with clients to develop financial strategies and provide advice on mergers and acquisitions.
To become an investment banker, a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field is typically required, along with several years of experience. In the years between 2021 and 2031, the job outlook for securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents is positive, with a projected growth rate of 10%. The median annual salary for securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents in the United States is $62910.
- Internal Auditor
Internal auditors are responsible for evaluating and improving a company’s internal control systems, risk management processes, and governance procedures. They work within an organization to review financial records, assess the effectiveness of operations, and identify areas of potential risk or fraud.
To be an internal auditor, an accounting degree is essential that provides a strong foundation in financial reporting, data analysis, and auditing principles. The career growth for internal auditors is also promising, with an annual median salary is $69,138.
Conclusion:
An accounting degree is an excellent investment in your future career. The skills and knowledge acquired during an accounting degree program are highly sought after by businesses and organizations across various industries. Whether you want to work in public accounting, finance, or in-house with a company, there are numerous job opportunities available to those with an accounting degree. This article has provided you with insight into the exciting jobs you can get with a degree in accounting.
