If you’re considering different accounting careers, there are a number of areas you can explore. With an accounting degree, the possibilities are endless, as an accounting career path can lead to every industry that exists. There are even opportunities to consider non-accounting jobs with accounting degrees.
Having the ability to keep companies and individuals in financial compliance and regulation is essential. General accountants provide guidance and act as advisers. They perform bookkeeping duties, develop budgets, give direction on the management of assets and investments, assist with retirement planning, and identify areas of concern that may cause financial liability. But, what can you do with a CPA license? Below, we explore industries and accounting careers that may be appealing for a future CPA.
Accounting careers: Why would someone want to become an accountant?
There are a number of reasons why someone would want to pursue different CPA career paths. The following are some of the top reasons why someone would want to pursue an accounting career path:
- Employment - Majoring in accounting can help you find a job upon college graduation, as it's an in-demand field. Similarly, a major in any other field and a minor in accounting will still help garner a good job in an accounting career path, especially if you pass the CPA Exam.
- Promotions - Accountants get promoted on a regular basis and take on larger leadership roles within the organization as they move up the corporate ladder. It is commonplace to have an accountant become a CFO, and later on the CEO of a company.
- Prestige - Being able to say you are an accountant holds a certain prestige and notoriety, especially if you have your CPA license. There are many people who have majored in this field who have gone on to do other great things.
- Financial gain - The salaries for accounting careers tend to constitute quite a bit of money. Depending on the accountant’s goals and skills, they can make even more money moonlighting on the side, especially during tax season.
Did you know accountants are in great company? Accountants design business systems, are part of the FBI (Accountants helped arrest Al Capone), are heavily recruited by firms, are the do-gooders of many organizations, and help the government keep track of its finances.
There is a large amount of flexibility in an accounting career path, which allows accountants to pursue duties in many areas, like audit, tax, forensic accounting, budget analysis, financial analysis, management, and consulting. This flexibility can offer some appealing career options for accounting graduates. Here is a general breakdown of some types of accounting careers and roles:
- Internal auditors - An internal auditor works in the recesses of the company to ensure it is operating effectively, efficiently and within regulatory compliance. They evaluate financial systems, information reporting systems, management procedures and internal controls. They make sure the internal controls are working correctly, and search for waste or fraud to make sure all policies and regulations are in compliance.
- Government accountants - These individuals work in the public sector – specifically federal, state and local governments. They examine all financial records of government agencies, including the auditing of private businesses and individuals who are affected by taxation or government regulations. They also ensure that revenues and expenditures are within the law and that they comply with all federal, state and local regulations.
- Management accountants - Management accountants are part of the executive team, working as a strategic partner within the corporation. They have a number of roles and responsibilities, and can also be classified as a cost or industrial accountant. They handle budgeting, cost and asset management, performance evaluation, and thoroughly analyze financial information to assist in making sound business decisions. They also prepare financial reports for shareholders, creditors, regulatory agencies and tax authorities.
These areas are just some of the ways that accounting careers impact every industry. Accountants’ roles and responsibilities are vast and they help hold the organization together.
CPA careers: What can you do with a CPA?
Accounting careers make up a key part of small and large corporations, governmental entities, non-profit organizations and for the general public. Accountants can also be found in academic institutions and public accounting firms. Licensed CPAs are an asset to various boards and can frequently be found serving on the board of directors. Their roles vary from organization to organization, but they all utilize the financial foundation in which they were trained. So, what can you do with a CPA? Accounting careers for CPAs may take the following directions:
- Auditing - Auditing work can be intense, and frequently involves checking all accounting ledgers and financial statements. Based on the type of position, it may involve traveling from location to location to extract the information needed to properly report the findings.
- Tax - Tax accountants prepare corporate and personal income tax statements are prepared. Accountants in these roles provide guidance and assistance on how to handle mergers, acquisitions, tax issues, expense recordings that have tax implications and more.
- Budget and financial analysis - Accountants in this area help to develop and manage the overall financial plans of the organization. Accountants in these roles also prepare financial statements, help with decision-making on employee benefits, project company financials and work with a number of departments to get the information they need.
Accountants also work on capital budgets, cost analysis, contracts and even in academia as instructors. In the role of instructor, they are the foundational tools to help others learn tactics and strategies to pass the CPA Exam.
In what types of businesses will you find accounting careers?
Accounting careers provide work in a number of industries and organizations. You may find them working for a trucking company depreciating vehicles, or for a small store handling their books. When accountants look for career options after the CPA Exam, they are usually looking for lucrative opportunities that will garner a good return on their investment of time and money. Depending on the industry, there are also opportunities to pursue non-accounting jobs with an accounting degree. Here are a few business types where many accounting careers exist:
- Public accounting firm - Almost every student who pursues the CPA career path would love to become part of a Big Four accounting firm. Accounting careers often start at these four, KPMG, Deloitte, PwC, and Ernst & Young, each of which are high-profile, and have a reputation for getting the job done. There are public accounting firms all over the country, both small and large. Being able to exercise your financial prowess in one of these firms can help you advance in your accounting career path.
- Consulting firm - CPA careers and accounting positions in consulting firms vary. Although accountants are used as if they are working in public accounting firms, their roles are slightly different. These firms handle forecasts, proposals and other financial issues that help guide companies in the right strategic direction. Consulting firms also consult organizations on projections, and evaluate whether or not their company has the viability to acquire or merge with another organization.
- Corporations - Accounting careers are found in small, medium and large companies, or in major corporations. These companies usually have an entire department devoted to the accounting team. Corporations can be privately owned, or publicly held. It is not unheard of for an accountant to work for a Fortune 500 company, but they can also be found in smaller mom-and-pop corporations that are doing quite well.
- Government - Employees in accounting and CPA careers help the government keep things in financial order. They can be found working at the local, state or federal level in a number of positions. These are lucrative positions for students who have just received their CPA license, and who are eager to work hard and move within. These types of positions often offer advancement to highly paid administrative positions. You will find these accountants working in the Department of Defense, the Internal Revenue Service, and the General Accounting Office.
- Academia - You will find accounting careers in a number of roles in the academic setting. Not only will you find these accountants in the classroom, but you will find them in the accounting office, financial aid, the comptroller’s office and auditing. These accountants may also have private practices to supplement their income and experience.
- Nonprofit organizations - Every non-profit needs an accountant. These organizations have a number of rules and tax implications that affect the way they do business. Additionally, non-profit organizations may be run under governmental grants. These grants have certain financial stipulations and must be carried out to the letter. The accountants on staff at a non-profit organization make sure every dollar is properly accounted for and the financials are in order. Although these administrative budgets may be a lot smaller than a major corporation, there are a number of national non-profit organizations that handle millions of dollars each year.
- Board of directors - Accountants are known to be part of a number of boards, whether they are non-profit or for-profit. They work on the auditing side of things for public companies. They make sure all the financials are in order, and provide guidance to the company on steps they should take and any tax implications that may arise. Accountants are a vital part of the health of these organizations in which they serve.
Although you may find accountants working in all of these places, many individuals on the accounting career path opt to go into private practice and operate as a sole proprietor. This allows them the flexibility to work when they want to, establish their own hours and relocate as they wish. The rewards can be great when they have the right clientele in place to help sustain the business.
Accountants and those in CPA careers who wish to become sole proprietors must learn business as a whole, and understand marketing fundamentals to gain visibility and attract the clients they want. Private accounting firms also operate as consultants, and are often brought in for major projects at corporations to complete assignments. This can be a very lucrative choice for the right individual.
You will find many traveling accountants working as sole proprietors, spending six months in one state, and possibly traveling to another during tax time. Accountants that are doing very well have a number of clients all over the country, and they travel to their locations periodically to meet and assess financial records in person. With technology being so accessible, it is very easy to remotely service major clients.
Pursuing a CPA career path and taking the CPA Exam is well worth the time and effort, especially after spending the time and money to acquire an accounting degree. With so many different avenues for career options after the CPA Exam, accounting careers are not only lucrative, but can be personally rewarding.
Although the study sessions and preparation for the CPA Exam may be intense, it is nothing compared to the CPA career opportunities that will arise once the grunt work is done. Working as part of a consulting team, audit or tax manager, senior associate, finance manager or other position can be the right stepping stone for your future and help you achieve your dream CPA career.
