Accounting

See our Accounting degrees

What can I do with a Major in Accounting?

Public Accounting

Job Types

  • 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

Job Types

  • 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

Job Types

  • 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

Job Types

  • 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

Job Types

  • 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.

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.

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

Accounting Resources