Starting a career in accounting is an excellent way to get your foot in the door with great companies, acquire technical skills, and begin networking. Accounting specialties include public accounting, tax, audit, forensic accounting, and accounting consulting. From government departments to public accounting firms, the need for accountants and auditors has increased in the recent past and the outlook is promising for this career path.

With the recent rise of accounting scandals in the past few decades (from Enron to Worldcom), regulation in the industry has increased significantly. From Sarbanes-Oxley to greater governmental oversight, as more regulation is added, the need for accountants and auditors will increase.

Many students begin their career in accounting working in public accounting, with smaller accounting firms or one of the Big 4 firms (KPMG, Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers, or Ernst & Young). Many large companies have internal accounting departments and this can create opportunities for advancement and growth in both accounting and in general business. The Big 4 accounting firms are well known for their large internship programs and it is common for many interns to be offered full-time positions upon completing a successful internship.

Interested in an accounting career? It’s recommended you study accounting since this background is necessary to pursue a CPA. How about the pay? As a starting accountant, salaries range from approximately $33,000 to $55,000, with lots of room for advancement and promotion. 

Accounting Resume

Sample Resume for Accounting Majors

Interview Tips for Accounting Majors

Accounting Intern Profile

Tough Interview Questions Article

Networking Tips For Accounting Majors