What can I do with a degree in accounting?

Accounting professionals are needed in almost every industry, including business, finance and tech. Trained to monitor budgets, maintain accounting processes and assess financial performance, accounting graduates hold essential roles that today’s businesses and organizations need to survive.

For a student considering pursuing a degree in accounting, this means that the potential career paths are plentiful.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for accountants and auditors is projected to grow 7% from 2020 to 2030.

“There are many benefits of earning an accounting degree,” said Grant Lee, department chair of accounting and finance at Davenport University. “One important benefit is the increased opportunities for both employment and advancement.”

What skills will I gain from a bachelor’s in accounting?

By earning a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting, students will develop a strong foundation in both technical and leadership skills. Another option available for Davenport students is to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting Fraud Investigation. This degree combines the development of technical skills in both accounting and computer security. Depending on the accounting degree program, students will learn how to:

• Prepare financial statements
• Use accounting information to make decisions
• Establish internal controls for the prevention of fraud
• Audit organizations

What skills will I gain from a master’s in accounting?

Whether you decide to earn your Master of Accountancy or Master of Business Administration in Managerial Accounting, you will be prepared to lead in the financial department of an organization. With a masters-level degree, you will learn how to:

• Identify, measure, analyze and interpret corporate accounting information
• Use accounting information to make decisions
• Manage cost and internal controls
• Audit organizations
• Plan, forecast and budget
• Manage performance

What career opportunities will I be eligible for with an accounting degree?

Depending on your degree, there are many different careers paths within the field of accounting. Below are some of the common career opportunities that students may want to consider.

• Staff accountant: Maintain budgets, ledgers and other financial documents in a corporate setting.
• Internal auditor: Review of an organization’s business procedures, ensuring all departments are acting in compliance with the appropriate laws and statutes.
• Management accountant: Analyze multiple data sources to make recommendations to improve the organization’s overall financial strength.
• Financial analyst: Guide financial planning decisions for both businesses and individuals.
• Certified public accountant (CPA): Accounting, tax reporting and auditing for individuals and organizations. Often specialize in one or several areas, often requiring them to maintain high-level reporting and stay up to date on financial regulations.
• Chief financial officer (CFO): Manage and oversee all financial operations.
• Corporate controller: Supervise the overall daily accounting operations of an organization.

As you explore the different career paths for accountants, it’s also important to make sure you are prepared for whatever certifications you may need within each possible job role. Both Davenport’s bachelor’s and master-level degree programs help students prepare for numerous exams, including those to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Managerial Accountant (CMA), Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Certified Financial Manager (CFM).

Investing in your future

Now that you know the basics, it’s time to invest in your education. Davenport’s job placement rate for accounting graduates is nearly 100 percent. Our accounting program is also one of eight schools in the nation that has earned special accounting accreditation by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education.

Employers are looking for hands-on experience in their hires — and they can look no further than Davenport accounting graduates.

“Our students are required to participate in internships and field projects, as well as work through case studies and presentations,” said Lee “Our programs continue to cultivate student interest in accounting and lead important student initiatives such as the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which enables our accounting students to become certified by the Internal Revenue Service and have the opportunity to perform tax returns for low-income families.”

Davenport’s accounting programs are designed to fit every student’s schedule and offer many different formats for students to earn their degree through online coursework. However, students who choose to take courses remotely do not have to sacrifice gaining real-world experiences.

“I believe students who pursue and earn an accounting degree from Davenport will be ready and prepared to be successful in the accounting profession,” Lee said. “Our students are taught by faculty who bring their real-world experience into the classroom. This enhances the learning opportunities for our students as they are able to reflect on the rel2800ationship between accounting concepts and the real world.”

If you have any questions about earning a degree in accounting, Davenport’s team is here to answer your questions. Call us at 800.686.1600, email us at info@davenport.edu, or visit our website to submit an inquiry today.