FollowTop Careers in Accounting
- Supervisory Tax Examiner
- Forensic Accountant
- Budget Analyst
- Certified Financial Planner
- Real Estate Appraisal
The accounting profession may lead to jobs throughout the business world, personal finance, and government accounting, and there are at least five great accountant careers available to graduates of accounting programs. Some careers may lead to steady and reliable income, and others may lead to positions in executive management. The majority of accounting jobs fall into one of four main areas including government and non-profit entities, public accounting, private accounting, and financial services. Here are five excellent accounting careers to consider that run the gamut of the accounting world.
1. Supervisory Tax Examiner
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is one of the largest employers of accountants in the entire country, and they offer a wealth of positions for trained accountants. For example, one job is the supervisory tax examiner who will enjoy an income of anywhere from $56,000 to $74,000 a year. A related position with similar income and work responsibilities is the supervisory contact representative. The IRS keeps a repository of jobs and information about employment opportunities.
2. Forensic Accountant
Often working in public accounting, forensic accountants have many responsibilities including reviewing financial records to locate inaccuracies, looking at financial data and finding how a discrepancy may have occurred, and preventing future incidences of fraud. Becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) will qualify an accountant to become a forensic accountant, as well as a degree with a specialization in forensic accounting or status as a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE). Some forensic accountants minor in law enforcement or criminal justice while in college.
3. Budget Analyst
Positive cash flow is only possible when a business keeps an accurate budget and complies with laws and regulations regarding its business practices. Budget analysts must examine the company’s bookkeeping records, as well as all other financial records to ensure workers are meeting company standards. A budget analyst will take the information gained from his or her examination and create reports that the management team and stakeholders in the company will consider when making financial recommendations.
4. Certified Financial Planner
Like other accounting jobs, a certified financial planner must possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, as well as pass the official CFP certification exam. Certified financial planners may work in a variety of environments like real estate, retirement, investments, and general financial planning and consulting. Some of the most important requirements for becoming certified is experience as a financial advisor or a similar job, as well as passing a background check.
5. Real Estate Appraisal
The Appraisal Foundation shares that a wide variety of clients seek the services of real estate appraisal experts. As a real estate appraiser, an accountant may work with a lender interested in evaluating a property before approving a mortgage loan for a home buyer. An appraiser may also work with a lawyer during a property dispute or an insurance company when the property must be appraised before granting an insurance policy. Real estate appraisers must hold certification or state licensure, which depends on the state where the future appraiser wishes to practice.
Related Resource: Top 10 Online Master’s in Accounting Degree Programs
An accountant may work in a traditional job as a Certified Public Accountant or in management accounting, or he or she may choose from a career in virtually any industry, from real estate to finance to the detective work required of a forensic accountant. As the “language of business,” accountancy represents a dynamic major in which to focus, and these five great accountant careers only scratch the surface of the opportunities available for the accounting degree holder.
