Accounting Degrees & Program Resources
What level of education should you pursue? What career opportunities are available for different degrees? Browse the below links to learn about degree programs and their core concepts, which programs are ranked highest, what steps you should be taking to advance your career, and more.
Integrating in the accounting community early on is key to professional success. Gain an overview of other valuable associations and the value they can provide; see what publications, study materials, and job resources are available to you; and discover additional resources and information.
Accounting Career Paths
CPAs can choose from a variety of professional career paths with all types of businesses.
Explore the career opportunities below to compare different roles and industries.
Audit & Attestation Services
Performance of financial audit, compilation, and review services.
Tax Services
Prepare and review various tax returns; researching, advising, and planning.
Management Advisory Services
Consult in the areas of computing, personnel, marketing, and strategies.
Business Support Services
Provide core accounting and financial management services.
IT Audit & Consulting
Review and evaluate information technology infrastructure, design, and implementation.
Risk Advisory Services
Identify, manage, and mitigate risk through controls, regulatory compliance, forensics, cyber, and attest services.
Transaction Advisory Services
Assist with purchase and sale strategy, valuation of existing business, due diligence of prospective purchase, and integration or divestiture of a business.
Forensic & Litigation Services
Identify and qualify fraud; gathering, organizing, and interpreting financial data while assisting with case strategy.
Financial Management & Reporting
Collect, summarize, and report financial data for internal and external reporting.
Management Accounting
Accumulate, analyze, and summarize operational cost data for internal management.
Internal Audit
Test internal control and accounting information systems, conducting statistical samples of transactions. Perform special tests to uncover defalcations and perform operational audits for profit improvement recommendations.
Tax Compliance
Prepare federal, state, and local income tax returns or assist in providing information to public accountants who offer those services. Prepare sales tax, property tax, or payroll tax filings.
SEC Reporting
Accumulate and format financial data as needed for public entity SEC filings.
Controller
Chief accounting executive responsible for organizing, directing, and controlling the work of the accounting personnel who collect, summarize, and interpret financial data for the use of management, creditors, investors, and taxing authorities. As a member of the top management team, this individual helps develop forecasts for proposed projects of the organization, measuring actual performance against operating plans and standards, and interpreting the results of operations for all levels of management.
Chief Financial Officer
Direct and supervise the work of the controller. May supervise the internal auditing function. Advices corporate CEOs with respect to financial reporting, financial stability, liquidity and growth, and financial strategy, design, and execution.
Financial Planning & Analysis
Budget, forecast, and analyze processes that support an organization’s financial health and business.
Treasury Operations
Oversee business financial health and cash positions; considering investments, business decisions, short- and long-term goals, and generally keeping the business within its set parameters.
Compliance
Internal process which examines accounting practices, risk controls, compliance, and business procedures.
Financial Management & Reporting
Collect, summarize, and report financial data for internal and external reporting.
Federal
Positions may be sought in the FBI, IRS, treasury department, and government accounting office.
State
Positions may be sought in the executive branch of state government as state treasurer or state auditor. Other options exist in state treasury in the controller and revenue departments.
Local
Cities and towns require controllers and accounting personnel to process, summarize, and report local financial data.
Internal Audit
Test internal control and accounting information systems, conducting statistical samples of transactions; perform special tests to uncover defalcations; and perform operational audits for improvement recommendations.
Compliance Auditing
Determine whether the organization is following provisions of laws, regulations and contractual grant, or loan agreements. The purpose of compliance auditing is to identify instances of significant deviation from specific requirements and to seek corrective action.
Investigative Auditing
Perform as a result of reported allegations related to improper activities by government employees or agencies.
Forensic Accounting/Financial Crimes Investigator
Investigate white collar crimes and alleged acts in violation of laws and regulations.
Financial Management
Collect, summarize, and report financial data for internal and external reporting.
Internal Audit
Test internal control and accounting information systems. Frequently conduct statistical samples of document approval, perform special tests to uncover defalcations, and perform operational audits for profit improvement recommendations.
Controller
Chief accounting executive responsible for organizing, directing, and controlling the work of the accounting personnel who collect, summarize, and interpret financial data for the use of management, creditors, investors, and taxing authorities. As a member of the top management team, this individual helps develop forecasts for proposed projects of the organization, measures actual performance against operating plans and standards, and interprets the results of operations for all levels of management.
Chief Financial Officer
Advise the CEO/exec director of the organization with respect to financial reporting, financial stability and liquidity, and financial growth. Direct and supervise the work of the controller, treasurer, and sometimes internal auditing manager. Other duties may include maintenance of relationships with financial institutions.
Financial Planning & Analysis
Responsible for special reports and analyses involving financial data. Advise senior management on forecasts and projections.
Colleges & Universities
Teachers and professors of accounting serve on faculties of community colleges and universities at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The education requirement for a professor will vary with each school depending on the level of instruction provided. CPA educators may conduct research to expand the body of accounting knowledge and may author magazine articles and books on accounting theory. Some professors also serve in the community as consultants and volunteers on corporate and nonprofit boards.
Professional Speakers
As there is a vast list of accounting and accounting-related topics, speakers with adequate education and experience are needed to educate individuals—both those carrying the CPA designation as well as other professionals.
Considering or already started working towards a career in accounting?
NCACPA offers students access to:
Career Center
Browse job openings, resume postings, and other career resources.
Student Resources
Membership is free for students and allows them to apply for scholarships, participate in the Mentoring Connection program, attend networking and educational events, save on CPA Exam review products, and much more.
Scholarships
The North Carolina CPA Foundation works with NCACPA to provide scholarship opportunities to students looking to pursue a career in accounting.