A Career With Mobility

Pursuing a career in accounting is a smart move for students as well as those thinking about starting a second career. Becoming a certified public accountant (CPA) opens up many opportunities in the world of business in addition to all of the options in the field of finance.

A World of Choices Within Accounting

There are many specialized sub-fields under the umbrella of accounting such as accounts payable and receivable, tax, reporting, and audit. No matter what the industry, corporations need accountants to administrate their finances and keep internal operations moving along smoothly. What is even better is now your CPA licensure is transferrable to states other than the one you originally earned it in.

Corporate Advancement Potential

Much of the curriculum in the accounting major is also great general business education to have. If you seek employment in a larger company this means you should be able to go for corporate positions in any financial department in the business including planning and analysis. Eventually, you could advance into management, controller, or director positions in the company. Depending on the size of the company and the amount of experience with that company, you may be able to transfer your knowledge and experience into a new area of the company such as information technology or systems management.

Independent Options

If you want to hang out your shingle and be your own boss, there are several options for you as well. Independent auditors are CPAs who examine the bookkeeping of other companies to ensure their accuracy. CPAs are also in demand as tax preparation accountants. For accountants with an interest in investment planning, a career in financial planning could be a possibility.

A Great Second Career

Accountants who earned their CPA licensure in order to begin a second career come from a variety of different professions. A majority of second career CPAs have found their prior careers outfitted them with skills and sensibilities that they could transfer into their new careers. Because they did not have to adjust to the work world and have been through company policy shifts, initiatives, and delegation of responsibilities before, the process of reorienting their careers has not been too much of an adjustment. In actuality, learning a new profession as a mature professional has its perks.

Recommended Steps

In order to be eligible to sit for the CPA license exam, you need either a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree as well as completion of 150 hours of accounting coursework. Each state has their own blend of requirement specifics so it is necessary to refer to the licensing board in your state for the most accurate information. For beginning accountants who have met their license's educational requirements, starting salaries average about $50,000 dollars. For those who already have a Bachelor’s degree, earning a Master’s degree in accounting is an option that can be done online while you are still working. Maryville has an online Master of Science in Accounting program that enables you to work while pursuing the degree.

It is recommended, though in most cases it is a necessity, for students to work at least part-time while completing their accounting education. This is actually a good career transition move for the accounting profession, as many in the industry recommend students find a job in the field while they are still in school. It exposes you to real-life accounting applications while enabling you to network with others in the industry. Working while going to school may be challenging, but it can help you in your career transition while minimizing the amount of financial outlay to learn a new career.

With so many applications, the accounting field is a dynamic and versatile choice. Once you have completed the requirements for licensure, you can use your new credentials to take you to where you want to go.