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Types of Accounting:
Assess Your Accounting Career Options

Ready to choose an accounting degree? Find out how accounting careers stack up.

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Types of Accounting Careers and Degrees

There are so many types of accounting fields and degree options available to students these days that choosing between them can be a challenge. Based on your choice of an accounting career, you must be the analytical type. So we've laid five of the top accounting degree specialties side by side and compared vital statistics. Find out more using the chart below:

 
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Career Facts: Forensic Accounting Management Accounting Public Accounting Internal Auditing Government Accounting
Do you need a Bachelor's degree for entry-level jobs? check check check check check
Do you need a Master's degree to advance your career?   check check    
Do you need CPA certification? check check check    
Do you need other professional certification? check     check  
Job Duties: Forensic Accounting Management Accounting Public Accounting Internal Auditing Government Accounting
Testify as an expert witness check        
Work as staff accountant for a company   check   check  
Conduct audits       check check
Oversee financial institutions         check
Help customers prepare taxes     check    
Cost management   check      
Investigate whether crimes have been committed check        
Give advice about tax issues     check    
Evaluate company performance   check      
Perform accounting tasks for government agencies         check
Work with information technology systems to ensure data accuracy       check  
Make sure a company's finances are in compliance   check   check  
Do budget analysis   check     check
Asset management   check      
Skills/Traits Needed: Forensic Accounting Management Accounting Public Accounting Internal Auditing Government Accounting
Attention to detail check check check check check
Analyze and interpret facts and figures check check check check check
Communication skills check check check check check
Computer software knowledge check check check check check
Aptitude for math check check check check check
Ability to work with others check check check check check
Investigative skills check     check check
Creativity check        
Service oriented     check    

Take the First Step

Once you've decided on an accounting career focus, choosing the right school for you is essential. If you don't yet have a bachelor's-level accounting degree, that should be your first objective. Most accounting careers require a bachelor's degree as a minimum requirement for entry, and for more advanced positions you will need master's-level accounting degrees, or specialized certifications.

 
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