What Jobs Can I Get With an Accounting Degree

What jobs can I get with an accounting degree?

No matter the industry, precise accounting is critical for both day-to-day operations and long-term expansion. Businesses, non-profit organizations, and individuals will all need the services of a qualified accountant. This variety of potential clients provides many different avenues for career growth. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that jobs in the accounting profession will grow by 7% over the next 10 years. LSU Online’s B.S. in Accounting provided in conjunction with LSU Alexandria will prepare you for the growing field of accounting. Here are eight potential jobs that you can get with an accounting degree.

Bookkeeper

• Function: Bookkeeping is the most fundamental function of accounting. It is essential by ensuring that a business has accurate records of its financial activities. This includes setting up business bank accounts, reconciling accounts, and data entry. While most bookkeeping jobs are entry positions, accounts may have this duty as part of their daily activities for the entire span of their careers. Knowing how to operate the software used in modern bookkeeping (such as Intuit QuickBooks) is vital and can give you an edge when trying to find a job.
 
• Salary: The median salary for Bookkeepers in the United States is $44,848. Job outlook for this role is expected to remain relatively stable over the next 10 years.

Tax Accountant

• Function: Instead of evaluating a client’s full financial situation, a tax accountant will focus solely on the client’s taxes. United States tax law is extremely tricky for the untrained person to navigate, and that is where an educated tax professional will become invaluable. The correct interpretation of local and federal tax laws and how they interact with each individual client will be called upon when filing returns and other important documents.
 
• Salary: The median salary for Tax Accountants in the United States is $55,640. Job outlook for this role is expected to remain relatively stable over the next 10 years.

Controller

• Function: A controller is involved with the accounting needs of higher levels of business and acts as the head accountant for a company. This particular role requires several years of experience in the accounting field before being considered for a position. For small businesses, controllers will be more involved in the day-to-day accounting activities whereas controllers for large businesses will have more of a managerial role. Those working for large businesses are often considered for the company’s CFO in the long term.
 
• Salary: The median salary for Controllers in the United States is $85,710. Job outlook for this role is expected to grow over the next 10 years.

Financial Manager

• Function: A financial manager determines investments that a company should make in order to grow, and develops long-term financial goals for their business. These highly experienced individuals are responsible for analyzing the financial data of their organization and finding ways to reduce overall costs while maintaining company standards. They also meet one-on-one with management to advise on where to take the company moving forward. Communication is imperative for those in this role.
 
• Salary: The median salary for Financial Managers in the United States is $134,180. Job outlook for this role is expected to grow much faster than the national average over the course of the next 10 years.

Auditor

• Function: An auditor reviews a client’s financial information to ensure that they are following all relevant laws and regulations. To excel in this role, one must have extreme attention to detail and patience. Even the most seemingly unimportant document can cause trouble in the future if not filed correctly. Auditors have the flexibility to either work for the government, a private company, or open their own agency.
 
• Salary: The median salary for Auditors in the United States is $73,560. Job outlook for this role is expected to grow over the next 10 years.

Fund Accountant

• Function: Fund Accountants primarily work with investors one-on-one to keep track of the growth or decline of the markets. These investments include commodities, real estate, and/or hedge funds. Day-to-day responsibilities include preparing accurate reports of changes in the stock market and how that affects accounting goals. If the position is in an established organization, then they may also work with executives to chart out a budget and financial plan. This role mixes the jobs of an accountant and a financial adviser into a dynamic position for those who enjoy an ever-changing work environment.
 
• Salary: The median salary for Fund Accountants in the United States is $55,925. Job outlook for this role is expected to remain relatively stable over the next 10 years.

Payroll Accountant

• Function: A payroll accountant is responsible for readying the payment statements and processing paychecks. This job requires as much privacy and accuracy as possible. In-depth working knowledge of Excel is important regarding all forms of accounting. Excel is the main software used by payroll accountants, making it especially important to this role.
 
• Salary: The median salary for Payroll Accountants in the United States is $65,962. Job outlook for this role is expected to grow over the next 10 years. It is worth noting that education and experience are particularly strong factors when determining pay.

Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

• Function: Many certified public accountants (CPAs) are typically accountants that work for themselves or alongside other accounts at a small agency. They are essentially small business owners whose job is to be an accountant for hire. Their day-to-day duties are similar to other forms of accounting but usually on a smaller scale. To become a CPA, an additional certification must be earned along with a bachelor’s degree. This certification is a necessity if you plan on pursuing accounting for your career.
 
• Salary: The median salary for a Public Accountant in the United States is $71, 550. Job outlook for this role is expected to remain relatively stable over the next 10 years.

The role of an account is important to keeping any organization running. There are many roles that an accountant can take on in order to make sure the financial stability of clients remains in check. LSU Online’s Bachelor of Science will help prepare you to take on the complexities of the accounting field. Online students will receive the exact same education as those who are in-person but with greater flexibility.

Learn more about the LSUA Online Accounting program.