20 most popular jobs upon graduation for those with accounting majors

Here’s a practical look at the 20 most popular jobs for new graduates with accounting degrees. Just like with business administration, many of these roles don’t strictly require an accounting major, but the training you get—attention to detail, comfort with numbers, systems thinking—lines up perfectly. Employers hire accounting grads because they know you can work with data, follow rules, and explain results clearly.

• Audit Associate
  Classic entry point at public accounting firms: testing controls, checking records, and producing reports for clients.
• Tax Associate
  Preparing tax returns, researching regulations, and advising clients on compliance; strong seasonal demand.
• Staff Accountant
  Handling journal entries, reconciliations, and monthly close processes for companies of every size.
• Accounts Payable Clerk
  Processing invoices, payments, and vendor relationships; detail and timeliness matter most.
• Accounts Receivable Clerk
  Managing billing, collections, and cash applications; often the front line in keeping cash flowing.
• Payroll Specialist
  Ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time; compliance with taxes and benefits is key.
• Financial Analyst
  Budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis; strong Excel and reporting skills put you in the mix quickly.
• Internal Auditor
  Reviewing internal processes and controls, spotting risks, and recommending fixes; common in larger companies.
• Compliance Analyst
  Supporting regulatory checks, policy enforcement, and risk reporting in finance, healthcare, and insurance.
• Forensic Accountant (entry-level support)
  Assisting investigations into fraud or financial misconduct; strong analytical and documentation skills are valued.
• Cost Accountant
  Tracking expenses and production costs for manufacturing and supply chain teams; often tied to pricing strategy.
• Budget Analyst
  Supporting public-sector agencies, universities, or corporations by monitoring budgets and spending.
• Treasury Analyst
  Managing cash flows, banking relationships, and liquidity; banks and corporates alike hire here.
• Financial Operations Associate
  Processing transactions, reconciliations, and reporting for investment firms, fintech, or shared services.
• Risk Analyst
  Identifying financial or operational risks; often part of compliance, insurance, or banking teams.
• Management Accountant
  Supporting decision-making inside a company with management reporting, KPIs, and cost tracking.
• Investment Operations Analyst
  Entry role in asset management or investment banking handling trades, settlements, and reporting.
• Government Accountant
  Recording and reporting for local, state, or federal agencies; stability and benefits are strong.
• Nonprofit Accountant / Grants Specialist
  Tracking restricted funds, grants, and program budgets; mission-driven organizations value accounting discipline.
• Consulting Analyst (with accounting focus)
  Joining a consulting firm to help clients with systems implementations, process improvements, and compliance projects.

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How to Use This List

If you’re majoring in accounting, you’re not locked into a cubicle doing debits and credits forever. The jobs above stretch from tax prep to strategy, from public service to fintech. Use internships and projects to test which environments energize you. Build stories around outcomes—“cut invoice backlog by 20%” beats “processed invoices.” Employers know your degree gives you discipline with numbers; your edge is showing you can turn those numbers into results.