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A degree in accounting can set students on a path to a strong career in business and finance. Accountants work for corporations, nonprofits, government agencies, and small businesses. They create financial reports, review income and expenses, prepare tax documents, and assure regulatory compliance. Some accountants even help track down financial criminals. Others take part in high-stakes investments. Accounting careers can either prove safe and predictable or exciting and dynamic, depending on the exact role.
Students at all levels can pursue accounting as their major. Lower-level degrees prepare graduates for entry-level positions, while bachelor's and master's degrees serve as the gateway to middle- and- upper-level posts. Many accountants aim to become certified public accountants (CPAs), a well-respected and high-paying designation that usually requires a master's degree.
At nearly all academic levels, schools offer various specializations for accounting majors, including forensic accounting, management accounting, real estate, taxation, and international finance. Students can also earn a general accounting degree at the associate or bachelor's level and then specialize in a master's program later.
Once they've graduated, accounting majors can compete for accounting and auditing jobs. Many of these careers boast high pay and significant opportunity; the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 6% growth rate for accountants and auditors from 2018-2028.
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