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Few industries are as vast and diverse as finance, especially today. While most people may only think of careers like accounting, bookkeeping, banking and other general roles within the industry, there are myriad opportunities for those interested in working within the finance field or related niches.

Education and skills required for careers in finance and accounting

Embarking on one of the many careers in finance and accounting, candidates will find finance jobs range from entry-level to more specialized roles and may require a variety of skills to qualify. As such, understanding all the possibilities, requirements and skills to be successful in each is an important first step to planning a career in business finance, especially when considering the rate of employment after graduation. It can take an to find work after graduating, so understanding typical career paths can potentially ease that pressure once starting a career.

Entry-level jobs for those pursuing careers in finance typically require a . Depending on the specific industry you enter, qualifications for finance professionals may vary greatly.

With a large range of entry-level finance careers come equally diverse opportunities for people with specialized degrees, experience, and even niche interests and goals within business and finance.

Degrees in business and financial fields can help candidates stand out from others and provide fundamental knowledge and skills that support daily job responsibilities in finance.

It’s important to be familiar with the general requirements of various roles to pursue in finance, both before beginning a business finance degree program and after completing a degree, as requirements may change over time. This allows specialization in a path along with considering seeking a broader education for more than one potential career route. Keep that in mind while looking through these six finance and accounting job titles:

1. Accountant

Accountants oversee financial information for a business or other establishment. This role includes tracking income and spending, researching better ways to improve tax returns, and identifying potential areas of overspending. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that accountants typically need a  or a related field, like business or finance, to enter the field. Additional education and licensure is necessary to become a certified public accountant (CPA).

As of May 2023, accountants and auditors , with a median wage of $79,880, according to BLS.

This industry is projected to grow at a rate of about , which is in line with the average growth for all industries in the U.S.

Salary ranges are not specific to students or graduates of ���۴�ý. Actual outcomes vary based on multiple factors, including prior work experience, geographic location and other factors specific to the individual. ���۴�ý does not guarantee employment, salary level or career advancement. BLS data is geographically based. Information for a specific state/city can be researched on the BLS website.

BLS Occupational Employment Projections, 2022-2032 is published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This data reflects BLS’ projections of national (not local) conditions. These data points are not specific to ���۴�ý students or graduates.

2. Tax examiner

Look at careers in finance and accounting and you'll find a myriad of roles fall within tax-related occupations. Many align to similar requirements and job descriptions as accountants, while others are specific to tax laws and collections. Tax examiners, specifically, work with small businesses and individuals to conduct audits, review tax returns and ensure that these groups pay their appropriate amount of taxes. Tax examiners can work for different levels of government but typically collect the taxes of individuals.

According to BLS, tax examiners typically  or a related field like business. As of May 2024, these professionals , according to BLS. BLS projects employment for tax examiners from 2022 to 2032. Still, about 4,100 job openings each year are predicted.

3. Financial analyst

One of the jobs for those pursuing careers in finance is financial analysts, who can fill several positions within companies, banks, investment firms and other corporations that need detailed eyes on their finances. These employees assess the financial performance of an organization, such as investment and stock performance, to determine its value and make recommendations.  

This role typically requires a bachelor's degree to enter this position. However, some employers may seek applicants with a master's degree.

As of May 2023, financial analysts , with a median wage of $99,010, according to BLS. The joboutlook for this role is from 2022 to 2032, which is roughly about 27,400 openings, also according to BLS.

4. Auditor

An auditor is like an accountant, sharing many of the same responsibilities and skills, except rather than preparing financial statements for an individual or corporation, auditors are responsible for verifying the accuracy of such statements. There are two primary types of auditors: internal and external. Internal auditors are employed by the organization they are auditing, while external auditors are employed by an outside organization. Similar to accountants, auditors typically need at least a  or an education in a related field.

As mentioned above, accountants and auditors , with a median wage of $79,880, according to BLS. This industry is projected to grow at a rate of about .

5. Financial manager

If one of the careers in finance within an organization sounds appealing, maintaining the financial health of an organization is the key responsibility of a financial manager. These professionals often create financial reports, forecasts and budget plans to maximize profits. Because of the high level of responsibility in this role, financial managers  in a similar profession, such as accounting or financial analysis, to be employed, according to BLS.

As of May 2023, financials managers , with a median wage of $156,100, according to BLS. Employment in this field is % from 2022 to 2032, also according to BLS. This is roughly 69,600 openings each year.

6. Financial advisor

Careers in finance include financial advisors. Like tax examiners, advisors can work with individuals or organizations and are responsible for making recommendations or providing advice on financial investments, such as retirement planning, tax laws, insurance and more. Sometimes referred to as financial planners, these professionals can support a wide range of topics or specialize in areas like insurance and risk management, investment, and estate planning.

According to BLS, , and certain certifications or a master’s degree can enhance a financial advisor’s reputation and ability to become a manager.

As of May 2023, financial advisors earned between private financial advisors , with a median wage of $99,580, according to BLS.

Employment is projected to . That’s an estimated 25,600 open roles each year.

If you're interested in careers in finance and accounting,  ���۴�ý offers several online programs:

• Online bachelor's in accounting
• Online bachelor's in finance and technology
• Graduate accounting certificate 

To learn more, request information about programs and how to apply.