Undergraduate Careers:
Accounting
A concentration in Accounting can provide you with a variety of employment opportunities. Responsibilities can range from being a strategic member of a new business development team to traveling to client sites to analyze and check financial statements. Technology continues to change the face of the industry and career mobility increasingly requires solid computer skills. Environments are becoming increasingly team-oriented. As businesses become more global, the accountant's role has become key in providing quick, accurate and individually tailored financial information for companies to remain competitive. Competition for the most prestigious jobs in major accounting or business firms remains keen. Expertise in international business, specific industries, or current legislation can help differentiate you from the competition.
Position Yourself for Success
Do you want to work for a Big Four public accounting firm or for a smaller national or regional accounting firm? Recruiting for accounting positions usually follows a formal structured calendar, with recruitment, especially for Big Four firms, occurring in the fall of senior year. These firms also recruit for summer internships starting in the late fall of junior year. Other accounting firms may continue to recruit throughout senior year, so it is important to develop your network, research potential employers and take an active role in your job search. Accounting firms routinely seek students with skills and experience in analysis, teamwork, leadership, communication, and customer/client service.The Big 4 accounting firms--PricewaterhouseCoopers, Deloitte & Touche, KPMG and Ernst & Young--seek competitive candidates for internships and full time jobs, often looking for strong academic performance.
Sample on-the-job Responsibilities*
- Process all transactions in the Revenue-A/R-Cash Receipts cycle, including Event-related receivables.
- Review client accounting and operating procedures and systems of internal control.
- Prepare financial statement reports and documentation.
- Enter job setup and modification data, prepare monthly invoices, project reconciliations, and maintain accounting files.
- Prepare and learn to review tax returns.
- Analyze client insurance and investments needs, handle marketing and sales, coordinate financial strategy development.
- Perform analytical review of audit documents; perform research to solve issues that arise.
Sample Entry Level Job Titles
Accountant*Analyst*
Assistant Bank Examiner*
Assurance Associate*
Audit Associate*
Auditor*
Audit Staff/Staff 1 Audit*
Cost Accountant
Credit Products Anallyst*
Financial Advisor*
Financial Management Program*
Global Customer Support*
International Tax Consultant*
Investment Analyst*
Staff Accountant*
Staff Internal Auditor*
Tax Associate*
* Denotes BU graduates from the classes of 2006 and 2007 with Accounting Concentrations
Sample list of employers of BU alums with a concentration in Accounting
Bank of AmericaCIT Group
Deloitte & Touche
Duff & Phelps
Ernst & Young
Feeley & Driscoll
Fidelity Investments
General Electric
Grant Thornton
JP Morgan
KPMG
Liberty Mutual
Mahoney Cohen & Co.
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Rothstein Kass
State Street Bank
Vitale, Caturano & Co.
Career opportunities which often require additional experience
or education
Chief Bank Examiner
Chief Financial Officer
Controller
Financial Services Broker
Sample Professional Salaries*
Internal Auditor: $48,174Cost Accountant: $43,279
Tax Accountant: $45,767
Accountant: $40,210
*From Salary.com national average base salary data, June 2007. These salaries can vary depending on the region, size and type of firm. Be sure to refer to a variety of sources when researching compensation amounts.
Web Resources
Careers in Accounting: www.careers-in-accounting.comJobs in the Money: www.jobsinthemoney.com
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants: www.aicpa.org
Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting: www.alpfa.org
American Accounting Association: aaahq.org
CPA Directory: www.cpadirectory.com
Accounting.com: www.accounting.com
For additional information and detailed descriptions of possible career options, please refer to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, www.bls.gov/oco:
Accountants and Auditors
Financial Managers
Management and Business and Financial Operations Occupations
Financial Analysts and Personal Financial Advisors
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
Financial Managers
Management and Business and Financial Operations Occupations
Financial Analysts and Personal Financial Advisors
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
