Accounting and Finance Careers for Accounting Majors

Accounting has never been considered the most glamorous field out there, but we may be collectively underestimating its appeal. In truth, this esteemed professional field boasts a surprising amount of workplace flexibility (approximately 7% of accountants are self-employed according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics), high job satisfaction (the profession ranked 8th on Forbes' Happiest Jobs in America list) and variety of tasks.

If you can work well with numbers, accounting might just be the optimal field for you. Let's look at just a few of the specific jobs you could qualify for with a finance or accounting degree.

Tax Accountant

Let's start with the basics - this is the first job everyone thinks of when they think about what a person can do with an accounting degree. Tax accountants are the people who do the tough job of absorbing reams of tax code information so that the rest of us don't have to. They may work for either individuals or corporate clients, and they do everything from tax preparation to coming up with strategies to allow their clients to save as much as possible on their final tax bill.

This kind of job is easy to do in a solo practice setting due to the wider potential client pool than other accountant specialties - after all, everyone needs to file taxes at some point. The work can get a little repetitive, but it's also very routine and can make for a fairly low-stress workload. That said, stress levels in this profession naturally rise significantly at tax time, so be prepared for that if you're considering a career in this specialty.

Budget Analyst

Can the hospital afford to upgrade its X-ray machines, or does it really need more beds? Should the shipping company continue to only use its own trucks, or would it benefit from collaborating with a railway? Budget analysts are the workers who make these kinds of determinations. It's up to them to figure out where best to invest money to help their employer's operations grow, as well as what funding can be cut with little loss. They work to optimize spending so that every dollar provides as much return as possible.

Educational requirements are strict in this specialty due to the high risk involved, with many institutions preferring candidates with a master's degree or higher. This makes sense - they depend on these workers to ensure they're allocating their funds correctly, so they want to know that they've gotten the best of the best. However, if you enjoy stripping things down and finding ways to do more with less, this work plays perfectly to your strengths.

Forensic Accountant

Forensic accountants use financial data to try to piece together relevant details in a larger story for use in a court case. They work on things like verifying insurance claims, investigating fraud and money laundering, and even determining what a spouse is owed in alimony or child support during a divorce settlement. If it involves a legal dispute and money, a forensic accountant will be involved somehow (and will often even give live expert testimony!).

To do this work, you need not only an excellent grasp of financial data and tracking methods, but also a greater understanding of what those numbers mean in the context of the case you're working on. It's a job that blends mathematics and arts in an interesting and unique way, and it can be a great fit for those who are talented in both areas.

Auditor

Unscrupulous people everywhere dread coming to face-to-face with an auditor, but those with a background in accounting sometimes get to be on the other side of those exchanges. Auditors track old financial records and verify their accuracy, usually when there is cause to suspect that something went awry somewhere along the way. They do, however, also conduct random audits from time to time to ensure compliance.

In this job, you're the last barrier preventing people from getting away with grievous mistakes or major fraud, both of which come with heavy costs to the party you're representing. You need to be able to work quickly, diligently, and above all, accurately. If you're up to the task, though, it can be immensely satisfying to uncover and report discrepancies as you round up all the relevant information for the case.

Not everyone is the type to thrive with piles of financial reports sitting on their desk, but if you are, there's a world of possibilities for you out there. Ready to take the plunge? If you want to earn a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a Focus on Accounting, ECPI University offers this program at an accelerated rate. For more information, connect with a friendly admissions advisor today.

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Gainful Employment Information – Accounting - Bachelor’s

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