SEARCHING FOR AN ACCOUNTING JOB

As an accounting graduate, you have broader choices and specific paths to follow with your career.

Accounting requires a wide variety of skills when it comes to business and that is why every company has an employee who is an accounting graduate. The good news is you can apply to any kind of firm. Areas may include:

• Tax,
• Audit,
• Financial Analysis, and
• Management Accounting.

 
It is best to apply for a job that matches your personal interests and expertise. Some careers have been proven by most accounting graduates to bring them to the top of the success ladder and you may want to consider entering these fields.

If you are an accounting graduate who excels in Public Accounting, the entry-level positions that best fit this skill are:

• Tax Staff,
• Consulting/ Management Services, and
• Staff Auditor.

In these roles, you will report to a senior.

Once you have acquired the required level of experience in any of the above positions, you may want to consider applying for the higher levels such as:

• Tax Senior,
• Senior Auditor, and
• Consulting Senior.

In these roles, you will report directly to a manager.
 
After a few years of excelling in the above positions, you may consider the following roles:

• Partner, and
• Senior Partner.

 
Having an edge in corporate accounting, and a few years of experience will qualify you to become a staff member in:

• Internal Audit,
• Tax Accounting,
• Management, and
• Financial Accounting.

 
Moving up to a higher level after a few  years, you will be eligible for:

• Senior Level for Internal Audit,
• Tax Accounting and Management Accounting.

 
A few years thereafter, you may want to consider aiming for higher positions such as:

• Tax Manager,
• Internal Audit Manager, and
• Financial Accounting Manager.

 
With expertise in Financial Management, you may consider: 

• Financial Planning,
• Cash Management, and
• Credit Analysis

 
Higher positions will include

• Treasurer,
• Credit Analysis Manager.

 
Once you have gained enough experience in the above roles, you may aim for:

• Treasury Operations,
• Senior Financial Planning.

 
These career options are traditional paths that were found to fit accounting graduates. However, it does not mean that they are the only way to moving on up. It is still recommended that you gain enough work experience and acquire knowledge in different aspects of education and continue to improve your competencies to be a step ahead of other job seekers.