Masters in Accounting Jobs & Careers
Masters in Accounting Jobs
The purpose for many Masters in Accounting degrees is completion of the requirements and the exam for Certified Public Accountant. That's an important step for some public accountants who want to work within a corporate structure; less important for public accountants working in small accounting services firms for local clients. One of the perks with CPA status is the right to file reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission; a privilege not afforded accountants who have not earned a CPA credential. But that function doesn't matter much to accountants who manage books for small firms and tax returns for individual clients. Some employers look for CPA status in their hiring activities and some may be looking for employees who have some background in finance - opportunities for students who opted for a Masters in Accounting & Finance or a Masters in Accounting Management.
1. Auditor: An auditor is charged with determining the validity and reliability of an organization's accounting procedures and the financial records that are on hand. Skilled auditors may engage in performance audits, quantifying the daily business activities within an organization and putting a valuation on both performance and various aspects of output.
2. Risk Analyst: There are several types of certified risk analysts, some of which are financial designations and some more oriented to accounting. Credit risk analysis has become a natural extension for graduates from a Master of Accounting program. The curricula for most of these degree programs include courses on risk analysis because it has become such a prominent career option in business.
3. Accounting Manager: It makes sense that a graduate degree in accounting would lead to a management position, but there are various levels of accounting management - several of which become executive functions within a business structure. Accounting and finance managers are involved in business decisions about capital allocation, hiring, financial strategy and business projections.
4. Forensic Accountant: This specialization in accounting is often assigned to criminal justice activities and fraud investigations, but the term itself has to do with litigation of all types. Forensic accounting in general is accounting work that is conducted for evidentiary purposes in a court of law.
5. Accounting Information Systems Specialist: Some Master of Accounting degrees put heavy emphasis on information systems management. Software and database management is integral to accounting functions today and some accountants become experts in the technology and software engineering involved in accounting programs.
6. Internal Auditor: This accounting professional checks his employer's internal accounting system and controls for mismanagement, fraud, and ineffective use of resources. This can be an ongoing process rather than an annual audit as is traditional with organizations run on a yearly budget. Internal auditors may also wade into the database operation in-house to check for functional irregularities.
7. Appraisal and Valuation Specialist: Accountants who work in this field are charged with assessing the true value of a business enterprise based on its performance and assets. Valuation is a key component of the due diligence procedures that precede any business acquisition or merger.
8. Management Accounting: This is the role for which many Master of Accounting students are training. Management accountants are responsible for budgeting and cost management, for asset management, and for capital oversight. Some management accountants get involved in performance evaluation and all management accountants learn to issue detailed financial reports for use in executive decision making.
9. Financial Analyst: Generally this area of employment requires a Master of Accounting & Finance degree that combines finance classes with the core graduate level accounting courses. Financial analysts are popularly believed to be MBA graduates but many accountants with management experience work in this area in the corporate sector if not in the investment houses.
10. Compliance Manager: A senior accountant may take responsibility for meeting the financial reporting requirements that are part of any business environment. For large businesses, those in the financial sector, or publicly held firms the financial reporting requirements may be significant. A compliance manager checks the accounting accuracy and the reporting format for these efforts.
