Studying accounting can be a lucrative and successful career choice. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, an average of more than 125,000 accounting jobs will be available every year until 2029. But beyond the availability and security in accounting, you can also find careers in countless roles and industries. 

Accountants are the backbone of the economy and any successful company. They play a critical role in the economy by ensuring that financial records are accurate, and they help companies by managing finances and recording financial transactions,  filing taxes, creating budgets and analyzing financial performance. 

Accountant vs. CPA 

All Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) are accountants but not all accountants are CPAs. A CPA is a prestigious professional license, earned through education and experience. This certification allows accountants to perform audits and express opinions on the financial health of companies.  Those who hold the CPA license also perform high-level duties and consult on complex business matters.  Accountants without certifications often perform bookkeeping and tax preparation. 

Many College of Business accounting students choose to become CPAs. The College of Business students’ CPA examination pass rate consistently ranks among the best in the nation — far above the national average. We credit this to our relevant curriculum that challenges students and prepares them for professional licensing and a rewarding career. 

Accounting Jobs are Stable 

If you are looking for a stable job, look no further than accounting. With a 7% growth rate over the next 10 years and 1 million jobs in the United States, this career is perfect for those who value job security. Accountants are needed in every industry from large corporations to small businesses. 

Careers Perfect for Accounting Majors

Public Accountant 

2021 average salary: $61,500

Over half of UNI accounting graduates start their careers in public accounting.  Public accountants are typically CPAs, and they work with clients to provide expertise, auditing and other tax planning and consulting services. Many UNI graduates choose to start their public accounting careers at large international accounting firms such as Deloitte, Ernst & Young (EY), PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), KPMG and RSM, while some elect to work for small or regional firms.

Public accountants commonly specialize in one of three areas: 

Auditor

An auditor evaluates a company’s financial records to check for accuracy and ensure they follow laws and regulations. CPAs are the only individuals that can audit large public companies that sell their stock on public stock exchanges. There are other kinds of auditors as well, including accountants that audit internal operations, or government entities or perform forensic audits for legal proceedings.

Tax Accountant

Everyone needs to do taxes. And that means tax accountants have some of the best job security around. In this role, you’ll file tax returns for businesses or individuals, collect information, submit accurate data and calculate how much an entity owes or is owed.

Consultant

Many public accountants perform business consulting services where they might help companies implement accounting information systems or perform complex analyses of business data, amongst other things. This is the fastest-growing area of public accounting.

Corporate Accountant 

2021 average salary: $72,000

Nearly half of all accountants work in corporate accounting for businesses of all types. Corporate accountants help businesses manage internal financial operations, formulate budgets, and help businesses make financial, operational, and strategic decisions. Corporate accountants commonly hold titles such as budget analyst, controller or financial manager, and often rise to executive-level positions like Chief Financial Officer or Chief Executive Officer.  

UNI is the Midwest Accounting Leader 

Accounting is one of the most in-demand careers today and it can be very rewarding too. This major is also one of the most flexible, with opportunities to work in nearly every industry. Consider starting your accounting career at UNI’s College of Business. Our accounting program is one of the best in the country and our graduates recently ranked third in the nation for success on the CPA exam.