Career Choices for the Accounting Student

Students who graduate with a bachelor's degree in Accounting are prepared for a variety of careers. We list the following types of services to illustrate the wide range of possibilities that exist. Please note that the following are not academic majors; rather, they are career paths that Accounting students may choose to pursue upon graduation.

Position Examples

Accountant - Examines, analyzes, and interprets accounting records for giving advice or preparing statements. Applies accounting principles to analyze past and present operations and estimate future revenues to client's budget.

Accounts Receivable Supervisor - Supervises and coordinates activities of workers engaged in tracing sources of error and correcting billing records for customers. Also processes records for final billing.

Actuary - An actuary works to evaluate risk for a particular company and formulate policies that minimize the cost of that risk. Risks such as death, sickness and injury can be especially costly to a company. Actuaries most often work in the insurance industry evaluating and studying life, health, property and/or casualty insurance.

Auditor - Examines and analyzes accounting records. Prepares reports concerning record's financial status and procedures. Also analyzes data for duplication of effort, fraud, or lack of obligation.

Bank Comptroller - Directs financial affairs of an organization. Prepares financial reports of operation for guidance. Establishes economic objectives and policies for the company while also preparing reports on a company's budget.

Budget Director - Obtains data relating to sales, revenues, and other income based on sales and administration. Makes comparisons on income/expense budgets with references, cash expenditures, and cash inventories.

Claims Adjuster - Investigates claims against insurance or other personal properties that is either lost or damaged and helps with out-of court settlements preparing reports on finding and negotiations.

Contract Specialist - Negotiates with suppliers to develop procurement documents. Formulates and coordinates procurement policies and procedures. Also, analyzes price proposals, finance, and other reports to determine reasonableness of prices.

Economist - Plans, designs, and conducts research to help in interpretation of economic relations to solve problems in production and distribution of goods and services.

Financial Planner - Develops and determines financial plans for individuals, businesses, and organizations. Also, analyzes client's financial status then develops a plan while discussing client's options.

Insurance Broker - Sells insurance policies that protect individuals and businesses against unexpected financial losses. Writes proposals and reports explaining the company's or the client's needs. May offer financial planning and be licensed to sell different securities.

Investment Banker - Arranges and negotiates large financial transactions. Acts as an advisor to their clients and develops money-making ideas for their own company. Also studies situations of financial difficulty, underwrites for stock purposes, and may manage investments of their client's company.

Loan Officer - Examines, evaluates, and authorizes approval of customer application for lines of credit (credit cards, households, commercial, or real estate). May also buy or sell contracts and supervise loan approvals.

Securities Broker - Advises customers who want to make financial investments and also arranges purchase and sale of stocks, bonds, or other securities for that customer. May specialize in one type of security, one that represents ownership of commodities, or both.

Tax Auditor - Audits financial reports to determine tax liability. Reviews information gathered from the taxpayer to verify their net worth and identify potential tax issues. Also analyzes issues to determine the direction of an investigation required and determines and evaluates evidence of the taxpayer's finances to determine their fax liability.

Tax Specialist - Has an understanding of the regulations applicable to perform corporate taxes, such as Social Security, unemployment insurance, property tax, federal/state income and franchising.

Treasurer - Handles corporate investments and manages relations with creditors, stockholders, and bankers. Also administers insurance coverage, credit policies and collections.

Underwriter - Evaluates applications for insurance policies. Is aware of what the applicant will have to collect under the policy's terms. Also affects the well-being of an insurance company financially by knowing waht the applicant would collect. May work for life, property, liability, or health insurance companies.