Accounting: What’s New, Now, and Next

If you have natural problem-solving skills, a love for numbers, and a desire to make a real-world impact with your skills and knowledge, a career in accounting might be the perfect fit.

The financial industry as a whole is growing at a 10-percent rate, which is faster than the all-occupation growth of seven percent. By 2026, there will be approximately 139,900 jobs added to this field, and as the economy continues on its upward trajectory, the need for accountants will concurrently rise.

So, what makes this industry an attractive option for your career?

Career Options with Accounting Degrees

An undergraduate degree in accounting will prepare you to sit for the Certified Public Accountant exam upon graduation. With an undergraduate degree, you’ll be equipped with the skills needed to:

• Prepare, analyze, and confirm the accuracy of financial reports.
• Organize and maintain financial records.
• Pay taxes properly and in a timely way.

You’ll also learn ways to look at business’ financial data to enhance revenue and cut costs.

Once you have earned your undergraduate degree and completed any necessary post-graduate exams, your options are quite diverse. You can find success as an accountant or a tax specialist, but don’t overlook these interesting career paths:

• Auditor.
• Chief Financial Officer.
• Credit Analyst.
• Forensic Accountant.
• Environmental Accountant.
• Personal Financial Advisor.
• Government Auditor.
• Strategic Planner.

With options as varied as these and a growing need for knowledgeable professionals across the financial industry, an undergraduate degree in accounting can help set you on the path to career success.

Financial Outlook

Not only does this industry allow for growth and a variety of career options — it also can be quite lucrative.

The field of accounting reports a median annual salary of $69,350. For comparison, the median annual salary for all occupations in the United States is $37,690.

The Industry is Changing

As millennials in this industry enter their late 20s and 30s, they have enough work experience to obtain mid- and upper-management jobs. Because of this shift in power, workplace culture is also shifting.

“Soft” perks like flexible start times, the ability to work from home, join clubs, and participate in employee wellness programs, are becoming increasingly popular across populations in the accounting field. This traditionally hard-working industry is taking note of important employee wellness issues and work-life balance in order to attract younger professionals.

Though your typical day will likely run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will consist mostly of desk work, the culture of this industry will continue to shift and adapt to new demographics and workforce attitudes.

The accounting field offers a wide variety of in-demand career paths to those with both graduate and undergraduate degrees in the field. As the workforce in the United States continues to change and the economy continues to rise, these fields will continue to grow and adapt to trends.