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Master's in Accounting: Career Outlook

Apply your skills across industries and sectors.

All organizations—from publicly traded companies to nonprofits and government agencies—need accounting professionals who can ensure they’re compliant with the law and staying ahead of financial challenges.

  • Top 10% of accountants earn more than $122,220 annually1
  • Employment opportunities are projected to increase by 10% between 2016 and 20261

Graduate with in-demand skills—like the ability to prepare and interpret financial statements and tax returns, conduct financial audits, and create budgets—that you can apply in a variety of industries and sectors, including public accounting firms, corporate accounting and finance departments, government agencies, and more.

FINANCIAL CONTROLLER

$81,150/year

As a Financial Controller2, you would manage the financial departments of organizations to ensure compliance and profitability. You’d prepare and review reports ranging from profit and loss statements to balance sheets and beyond, helping to predict the financial performance of the organization into the future.

FINANCIAL MANAGER

$89,371/year

As a Financial Manager3, you’d be responsible for creating and monitoring budgets across departments to ensure organizations operate within their means. People in this position establish financial forecasts and follow up on blown budgets while managing additional projects and staff.

FINANCIAL ANALYST

$60,587/year

As a Financial Analyst4, you’d be tasked with forecasting, auditing, and analyzing financial data to create reports. These reports are used to understand the financial implications of strategic business decisions, past campaigns, and more.

Additional roles for accounting professionals:

  • Chief Financial Officer
  • Treasurer
  • Internal Auditor
  • External Auditor
  • Government Accountant
  • Tax Accountant
  • Management Accountant

Request More Information

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Key Skills Employers Need

  • Identify valid accounting and tax standards and formulate solutions to accounting and taxation problems citing authoritative resources
  • Analyze and evaluate business problems using a variety of techniques and devise data-driven solutions
  • Use the FASB Accounting Standards Codification to evaluate and design solutions for complex accounting cases
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and processes involved in performing an audit
  • Analyze and apply accounting and financial information to facilitate strategic decision-making
  • Describe common ethical dilemmas faced by accounting professionals and the individual’s responsibility in these situations

Beyond the Degree

We have the tools to help you make your next career move:

One-on-One Mentors

Work with your program director and professors for professional mentorship and support.

Job Search Assistance

Build your résumé, do mock interviews, and find new opportunities in your area.

Career Counseling

Have our experts review your résumé and LinkedIn and learn to stand out from the crowd.

Handshake

Register for events, create a visual profile for employers, and apply for jobs and internships through our online portal.

Sources

  1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (April 12, 2019). Accountants and Auditors. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved on May 21, 2019, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/accountants-and-auditors.htm
  2. Payscale (n.d.). Financial Controller Salary. Retrieved on May 21, 2019, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Financial_Controller/Salary
  3. Payscale (n.d.). Financial Manager Salary. Retrieved on May 21, 2019, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Finance_Manager/Salary
  4. Payscale (n.d.). Financial Analyst Salary. Retrieved on May 21, 2019, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Finance_Analyst/Salary