Each year in the United States there are millions of college students graduating from institutions across the country. One of the biggest challenges graduates face is finding a job; in fact it may be the biggest challenge they face. Students may be aware of some of the specific jobs available to them, but few are aware of the wider ranging industries in which those positions are available.
As important as it is for graduates to know which positions are available to them, it is also important for them to understand which industries those positions are available in. Different industries have different career ceilings, duties, and future hiring prospects. Knowing these facets to each industry is critical. Everyone’s experiences are different. Generally the following are some of the industries that Bachelor of Accounting students can find work in.
Private Sector
The private sector of the American economy has been steadily recovering since early 2010, albeit gains have been up and down from month to month. Accountants will find varied openings in the private sector where small, medium, and large businesses have added jobs month after month. According to Forbes.com, among the five best companies for entry-level employees in 2011, three companies were looking for new graduates to fill accountant positions. Major companies like Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Hertz, and PricewaterhouseCoopers are all looking for accountants.
Public Sector
There are also a number of accounting careers available for new graduates in the public sector of the American economy. When most people think of the public sector, they think of government provided jobs. These careers can be at local, state, and federal levels. One of the best options for accounting graduates is a job with the Internal Revenue Service.
The IRS might not be popular among most Americans, but they need accountants to fill a number of positions. Examples of roles within the IRS include Internal Revenue Agent, Tax Specialist, Tax Compliance Officer, and Tax Examiner.
pecific Industries
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 1.2 million individuals employed as accountants in 2010. The vast majority of these individuals were employed in typical accounting roles that include tax preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll services. There are other industries where accountants can find work though.
Less populated, but still necessary roles exist in industries such as finance and insurance, manufacturing, and management.
College graduates should know that an accounting degree opens the door to more fields than most would assume. While the majority of graduates working in specialized accounting fields, perhaps even for accounting firms, there are options in other industries. It is easy to forget that most companies need someone with accounting knowledge as all business have profits, losses, and payrolls to keep track of.
In the long run, things are looking up for college grads. The economy is showing steady, if small, gains in employment so far in 2012 and accounting graduates are faring well. Employers are increasingly looking for four-year degree holders to fill positions that are now rebounding after the initial hit of the recession. According to the New York Daily News, accounting and finance degrees are in high demand right now among employers.
Sources:
http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-04-18/news/31363539_1_job-market-entry-level-job-seekers-new-jobs
http://jobs.irs.gov/student/accounting-budget-finance.html
http://www.forbes.com/sites/meghancasserly/2011/06/14/best-companies-for-new-grads-whos-hiring-and-whos-paying/
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Business-and-Financial/Accountants-and-auditors.htm#tab-3