Graves Center for Calling and Career

Career Ideas for an Accounting major

AREA	EMPLOYERS	STRATEGIES
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING
Auditing/Assurance Services Tax Environmental Accounting Forensic/Investigative Accounting Information Technology Services International Accounting Personal Financial Planning	Large/multinational, Regional, or Local Public accounting firms Sole practitioners	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	Companies of all sizes, in all industries	Many managers in corporate settings obtain an MBA degree after several years of work experience.
GOVERNMENT
Auditing Financial Reporting Financial Management Budget Analysis Research	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.	Become familiar with the government application process.
EDUCATION
Teaching Research Consulting	Universities and colleges	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	Social service agencies and organizations Hospitals Public school systems Universities and colleges Religious organizations Libraries and museums Political parties Labor unions	Volunteer at non-profit organizations and build a network of contacts in the non-profit sector.

Strategies for Placement in Accounting

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.

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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

Graves Center for Calling and Career

Related Links

Career Ideas for an Accounting major

AREA

EMPLOYERS

STRATEGIES

PUBLIC ACCOUNTING

CORPORATE ACCOUNTING

GOVERNMENT

EDUCATION

NON-PROFIT

Strategies for Placement in Accounting

Helpful Links