Careers in Accounting
The information explosion has increased the need for professionally educated accountants.
Success in an accounting career requires skill in oral and written communications, the ability
to work with others and the ability to think abstractly and solve problems logically.
Career Paths Available to Accounting Graduates:
• Public Practice
• Business and Industry
• Government
• Not-For-Profit
• Education
¾ Public Practice - There are over 46,000 public accounting firms in the U.S. ranging in
size from small local accounting practices to large international CPA firms. Public
accounting services include:
• Auditing
• Assurance Services
• Environmental Accounting
• Forensic Accounting
• Information Technology Services
• International Accounting
• Management Consulting Services
• Personal Financial Planning
• Tax Advisory Services
¾ Business and Industry – Accountants in business and industry work for companies
ranging from family-owned businesses to Fortune 500 companies. They are considered
strategic business partners of their organizations and work in a variety of different
areas, including:
• Financial Management
• Financial Reporting
• Internal Auditing
• Management Accounting
• Non-Financial Positions
• Tax Planning
¾ Government – CPAs in government have the opportunity to evaluate the efficiency of
government department and agencies at the federal, state, and local levels as well as
advise decision-makers in the use of entity resources.
At the federal level, accountants work for agencies such as Federal Bureau of
Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of the Treasury and the
General Accounting Office. They may be involved in investigating white-collar crime,
managing financial statement audits for government agencies, performing research and
analysis on financial management issues, or testifying before legislative committees.
At the state and local level, accountants are involved in conducting financial, perform