What can I do with a degree in accounting?
Where to work - Industries to consider
Careers in Accounting have, over the last number of years, become more exciting as the field moves from tedious number crunching to more diverse activities such as cost analysis, interpretation and business strategy. Accounting is as close to a recession proof career as possible. A balancing of the books is always required whether it involves cost saving measures or expansion. Before looking at where you can work it is important to consider what type of designation you wish to pursue after your studies in Accounting. Many Accounting students will pursue a CPA designation.
Within the CPA designation there are many areas of specialization or focus. A few of these areas include external auditing, internal auditing, taxation, finance, corporate accounting, operations accounting, internal reporting and external reporting. While your practical experience will include working for a CPA firm or in industry (at a CPA approved organization), you will likely chose an area of focus after you have completed this practical training. Specialities such as taxation require further practical training within the area and would require you to pursue tax in-depth taxation courses.
What you need - Skills required
- Calculation of product/ service cost
- Complex problem solving
- Strategic and critical thinking
- Bookkeeping and budgeting skills
- Quantitative skills
- Ability to prepare, read, and analyze financial statements
- Understanding of tax system and tax planning
- Knowledge of auditing theory and practice
- Interpret facts and figures
- Numerical computation
What to do - Occupations to explore
- Accounting Clerk
- Accounting Service Manager
- Accounting Technician
- Accounts Payable
- Assistant Controller
- Auditor
- Bookkeeper
- Broker
- Budgeting/ Forecasting
- Business Credit/ Loan Administrator
- Claims Adjuster/ Examiner
- Collections Clerk
- Corporate Accounting
- Credit Officer
- External Auditing
- External Reporting
- Finance
- Financial Statement Analyst
- Forensic Accounting
- Insurance Agent
- Internal Auditing
- Internal Reporting
- Investment Analyst
- Operations Accounting
- Payroll Clerk
- Portfolio Administrator
- Securities Agent And Investment Dealer
- Securities Manager
- Taxation
- Treasury Management Specialist
- Underwriter
- Valuator
Resources - Key websites
Quebec CPA Order: http://cpaquebec.ca/en/
The Ordre des comptables professionnels agréés du Québec (Quebec CPA Order) has 39,000 members and 5,000 future CPAs, making it the third largest professional order in Quebec. The Order ensures the protection of the public and the visibility of the profession. Information about the order as well as how to become a CPA, professional development requirements/opportunities, and networking activities can be found on their site.American Institute of Certified Public Accountants: www.aicpa.org
The American Institute of CPAs is the world’s largest member association representing the accounting profession, with more than 418,000 members in 143 countries, and a history of serving the public interest since 1887. AICPA members represent many areas of practice, including business and industry, public practice, government, education and consulting.
