What Jobs Can You Get with an Accounting Degree?

You have acquired a degree in accounting or are thinking of getting one, but the thoughts of what jobs you could possibly get after getting the degree must have ascended. If that’s the case, don’t worry we are here to help you.

Accounting is basically keeping check of the cheques and balances, of a business, organization, or individual. It is a vast field, but with quality education, and with proper experience you could secure the right kind of roles for you.

A degree in accounting can lead you to many career options in accountancy, auditing, and taxation. But there are also some positions that you could explore – financial managers, financial advisors, and budget or financial analysts.

So, in this article, we will be discussing the various kinds of jobs you can expect after you acquire an accounting degree, within and outside the field of accounting.  

Let’s begin –

Careers in Accounting after Acquiring an Accounting Degree

Post-completion of your accounting degree you could start applying for jobs. You might also need to acquire some certifications to be able to apply for certain jobs like CPA.

Also, you should know that most of the jobs require a Bachelor’s degree. So, if you have not yet enrolled in any degree course, you know what you should be getting.

More On -> What can I do with an Accounting Degree?

Here are the accounting careers depending on the level of your experience –

Entry-level Accounting Careers

These are the jobs that you can get post-completion or during your acquisition of an accounting degree. These jobs will boost your resume and equip you with hands-on field experience.

Also, these entry-level roles are the ones you can get by getting a certificate or an associate degree in accounting. 

The entry-level jobs are –

Accounting Assistant

Annual average salary: $44,465

Junior Accountant

Annual average salary: $44,770

Bookkeeper

Annual average salary: $45,560

Payroll clerk

Annual average salary: $47,390

Mid-level Accounting Careers

These positions require a bachelor’s degree in accounting or other relevant certifications or licensures. Licensure is the symbol of trust for the employer or your clients if you are aiming to start your business.

If you hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting, a license like a CPA, and some experience, you could get hold of mid-level roles.

Below mentioned are the mid-level roles with their BLS salary data –

Account manager

Annual average salary: $54,294

Accountant

Annual average salary: $56,089

Certified Public Accountant

Annual average salary: $74,060

Management Accountant

Annual average salary: $71,680

Accounting Analyst

Annual average salary: $81,590

Financial adviser

Annual average salary: $74,129

Business analyst

Annual average salary: $74,167

Investment adviser

Annual average salary: $78,463

Upper-level Accounting Careers

If you get promoted or upgrade your education you can be eligible for higher-level positions, or advanced, leadership roles. For these roles, you might need to acquire a master’s degree or some might require a Doctorate degree.

You might also need to acquire respective licensure and gain some experience, but overall, you can pursue these positions.

The higher-level positions are –

Auditor

Annual average salary: $71,550

Accounting Manager  

Annual average salary: $129,890

Tax director

Annual average salary: $166,938

Controller

Annual average salary: $70,013

Management analyst

Annual average salary: $93,000

Senior auditor

Annual average salary: $70,000 to $100,000

Researcher  

Annual average salary: $63,920 to $131,490

Accounting professor

Annual average salary: $79,640 to $202,080

What Can I Do with an Accounting Degree Besides Accounting?

With a degree in accounting, traditional or online, you qualify for jobs in other variety of positions in the finance industry. Most finance employers also employ accounting graduates in their businesses. 

More On -> Online Accounting Degree

So, depending on your goals you can choose careers in other sectors, as well. Here are some Non-Accounting Jobs with Accounting Degrees – 

More On -> Finance vs. Accounting Degree

Cost Estimator

Annual average salary: $65,250

What do they do?

• They review project plans, specifications, and other relevant documentation to identify all the components, resources, and activities involved.
• They gather and analyze data to provide reliable cost estimates.
• They develop cost estimates of the project or product.
• They prepare and present estimates and prepare comprehensive reports or presentations to communicate their findings to stakeholders, clients, project managers, and other relevant parties.

Financial Planner

Annual average salary: $69,737

What do they do?

• They evaluate clients’ financial goals, current situation, and risk tolerance to understand their individual needs.
• They create customized financial plans that outline strategies for investments, retirement, taxes, and more; tailored to each client’s objectives.
• They offer guidance on selecting investments, building portfolios, and adjusting strategies as market conditions change.
• They regularly review clients’ plans and investment performance, making necessary adjustments to keep them on track toward their goals.

Business Consultant  

Annual average salary: $73,570

What do they do?

• They conduct business analysis and assess the current operations, processes, and challenges to identify areas for improvement.
• They develop solutions and strategies to address identified issues.
• They offer specialized expertise and industry knowledge to guide decision-making.
• They oversee the execution of recommended changes. They manage project timelines, milestones, and deliverables to ensure the successful implementation of strategies.
• These responsibilities encompass the core activities that business consultants engage in to help organizations improve their performance and achieve their goals.

Forensic Accountant

Annual average salary: $93,527

You could become a Forensic accountant with a Forensic accounting degree.

What do they do?

• They investigate financial irregularities and fraud.
• They meticulously gather and analyze financial evidence.
• They prepare comprehensive reports for legal proceedings.
• They collaborate closely with legal professionals, often providing expert testimony in court.

Budget Analyst

Annual average salary: $76,540

What do they do?

• They analyze financial data to develop budgets for organizations.
• They review budget proposals and align them with organizational goals.
• They monitor spending and expenses to ensure budget adherence.
• They provide recommendations to optimize budget allocations and improve financial efficiency.

Financial Examiner

Annual average salary: $81,090

What do they do?

• They review financial records and transactions to ensure compliance with regulations.
• They assess the accuracy and integrity of financial statements and reports.
• They investigate potential instances of fraud, embezzlement, or financial misconduct.
• They make recommendations for improving financial practices and regulatory compliance.

Financial Analyst

Annual average salary: $81,590

What do they do?

• They analyze financial data and trends to assess investment opportunities.
• They create financial models and forecasts to support decision-making.
• They research economic and industry trends to provide informed recommendations.
• They prepare reports and presentations on financial performance and market insights.

Personal Financial Advisor

Annual average salary: $87,850

What do they do?

• They assess clients’ financial goals, risk tolerance, and current situations.
• They develop personalized financial plans to achieve clients’ objectives.
• They provide recommendations on investments, retirement planning, and tax strategies.
• They offer ongoing guidance and adjustments as clients’ circumstances evolve.

Actuary

Annual average salary: $108,350

What do they do?

• They analyze statistical data to assess and manage risk for insurance, finance, or investment purposes.
• They design and develop mathematical models to predict future events and financial outcomes.
• They calculate probabilities and potential financial impacts of various scenarios.
• They provide recommendations to organizations to minimize risk and ensure financial stability.

Financial Manager

Annual average salary: $129,890

What do they do?

• They develop financial strategies and plans to achieve organizational goals.
• They oversee financial operations, including budgeting, reporting, and analysis.
• They manage investments, assess risks, and make financial decisions to maximize returns.
• They ensure compliance with financial regulations and reporting requirements.

Chief Financial Officer

Annual average salary: $184,460

What do they do?

• They lead the overall financial strategy and direction of the organization.
• They oversee financial planning, budgeting, and reporting.
• They manage financial risks, investments, and capital allocation.
• They provide financial insights to support strategic decision-making by the executive team.

In conclusion,

You can go after any jobs in the field of accounting or others that require an accounting degree. You can choose your career in accountancy, auditing, and taxation and besides that, you can also aspire for some positions other than accounting, like – financial managers, financial advisors, and budget or financial analysts.

Whatever you choose, the degree required for most of the positions is a Bachelor’s degree in accounting, and post-completion of that you need to acquire licensure like CPA and others, and then gain some experience.

Also, you may choose to start your own business and start and create a circle of clients and work for them. Either way, you are up for a luxurious and respected career. Congratulations!

Read More:

-> Is an Accounting Degree Worth it?

-> Requirements for Accounting Degree

-> How Long Does It Take to Get an Accounting Degree?