What can I do with this degree?
ACCOUNTING
AREAS
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING
- Auditing/Assurance Services
- Tax
- Environmental Accounting
- Forensic/Investigative Accounting
- Information Technology Services
- International Accounting
- Personal Financial Planning
EMPLOYERS
- Large/multinational, Regional, or Local Public accounting firms
- Sole practitioners
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 those requirements.
CORPORATE ACCOUNTING
- Financial Management
- Financial Reporting
- Internal Auditing
- Cost Accounting
- Tax Planning
- Budget Analysis
EMPLOYERS
Companies of all sizes, in all industries
STRATEGIES
Many managers in corporate settings obtain an
MBA degree after several years of work
experience.
GOVERNMENT
- Auditing
- Financial Reporting
- Financial Management
- Budget Analysis
- Research
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, and State and local agencies.
STRATEGIES
Become familiar with the government
application process.
EDUCATION
- Teaching
- Research
- Consulting
EMPLOYERS
Universities and colleges
STRATEGIES
-
A Ph.D. 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.
NON-PROFIT
- Accounting
- Internal Audit
- Financial Planning
- Budgeting
- Money Handling
- Record Keeping
EMPLOYERS
- Social service agencies and organizations
- Hospitals
- Public school systems
- Universities and colleges
- Religious organizations
- Libraries and museums
- Political parties
- Labor unions
STRATEGIES
Volunteer at non-profit organizations and
build a network of contacts in the non-profit sector.
GENERAL INFORMATION
- 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 in 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.
Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The
University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (2005) UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title
IX/Section 504/ADA /ADEA Employer.