When it comes to earning a degree in accounting, many wonder what career paths they can take after graduation. Several students assume that being an accountant is the only option, but that’s far from the case. There are several careers you can pursue with an accounting degree. At Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, we want our students to be aware of all the options they have for their future. Here are 10 different career paths you can take after earning your degree in accounting.
1. Budget Analyst
You’ll be looking out for not only clients but their businesses too. Honesty is important to have in this position because you want to guide your client in the right direction when it comes to the financial details of their business. By explaining the financial process and requirements, you will build a firm foundation of trust in your relationships with your clients.
Job tasks can include:
- Evaluate budgets for clients
- Perform cost estimates of future financial needs
- Ensure budgets follow financial guidelines and regulations
- Develop financial budget contracts and agreements
- Monitor budget requests
2. Accounting Management
As an accounting manager, you will keep everything organized in the accounting department. Overseeing the operations of other staff in the accounting department and ensuring that the correct policies are being followed will be a part of your daily routine in the office.
Job tasks can include:
- Prepare financial reports
- Monitor data
- Enforce proper methods of accounting
- Cash forecasting
- Approve certain budgets and statements
- Keep track of recorded statements and accounts
3. Financial Management
From reviewing financial reports to monitoring accounts, being a financial manager consists of a lot of data analysis. By suggesting investment improvements and analyzing different market opportunities, you will show your skills of organization, research capabilities and strong work ethic.
Job tasks can include:
- Conduct data collected for financial reports
- Analyze cost, pricing, sales results, etc.
- Manage preparations for the company’s budget
- Collaborate with different departments and brainstorm future endeavors for the company
- Research investment options
- Delegate tasks to be completed among employees of the department
4. Internal Auditor
With your neutral judgment calls for businesses and firms, you will build a strong relationship with the company you’re working for. By having a strong approach to researching different risk factors, you will continue to expand your knowledge of technology, as well as leadership development.
Job tasks can include:
- Manage audit resources
- Determine internal audit scopes
- Create annual audit plans
- Supervise all planned audits
- Implement best audit processes
- Research ways to reduce business risks
5. Tax Examiner
Being a tax examiner can be an important career because of how much others rely on you. Working with clients yearly, you have the opportunity to build positive relationships over many years. With the busiest time being ‘tax season,’ it can be a stressful few months, so you must be able to work under pressure.
Job tasks can include:
- Complete taxes for individuals and small businesses
- Conduct audits
- Ensure all deductions are valid
- Keep copies on file of all tax returns and documents
- Identify payable taxes
- Ensure that all clients understand tax filing directions
6. Personal Financial Advisor (PFA)
Along with the same interests of tax examiners, personal financial advisors have strong relationships with clients and see them more throughout the year. There’s a foundation of trust between PFAs and their clients due to the seriousness of subjects. Many clients require help setting up their retirement or financial plans after they earn a college degree. It’s important to possess strong communication skills as well as empathy.
Job tasks can include:
- Discuss financial goals for clients
- Explain types of financial services to potential clients
- Educate clients on investment options and potential risks
- Research investment opportunities
- Assist with specific client needs such as investment or retirement plans
- Follow up with clients annually as a ‘check-in’
7. Corporate Accountant
Possessing reliability and strong math skills will suit you well as a Corporate Accountant. Your opinion will be of high value when offering guidance for business decisions. The research will take part in most of your day-to-day schedule. Organization is key to this career, as well as honesty.
Job tasks can include:
- Analyze data to support business decisions
- Manage financial reports
- Prepare budgets
- Oversee audits
- Advise other departments on business plans
- Analyze financial statements for the corporation
8. Cost Estimator
Knowing the numbers – this is your specialty. Being a cost estimator can be exciting but tricky. Doing your research is important when estimating the average cost of a project for a client. It’s understandable not to produce perfect estimates, but it’s expected to be close to the cost range.
Job tasks can include:
- Research factors that can influence the project (cost, production time, labor)
- Prepare estimates
- Provide recommendations on ways to reduce costs
- Keep a record of estimates and actual cost statements
- Collaborate with sales team to prepare bids for clients
- Read blueprints and collaborate with architects, engineers and contractors
9. Budget Consultant
Being a budget consultant requires the ability to be trusted and build relationships with clients. You’ll often help entrepreneurs form their own businesses from an angle of financial expertise. Skills in organization and communication are crucial to this career.
Job tasks can include:
- Bookkeeping
- Writing finance plans
- Cross-training clients and their employees on finance keeping/management
- Overseeing budgets of clients
- Offering expertise on financial decisions for clients
10. Payroll Clerk
As a payroll clerk, it’s up to you to ensure that all company payroll is correct. Ensuring everyone’s timesheets and hours worked are correct will be a part of your daily routine, so it’s important to pay attention to detail in this career. As different software systems continue to change, it’s important to stay up to date in this profession, as you will often have to be adaptable.
Job tasks can include:
- Track everyone’s timesheets
- Complete weekly or bi-weekly payroll
- Implement tax codes to company bills
- Create finance plans
- Implement direct deposit
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