Accounting is often referred to as the “language of business” because it is used to record, maintain, and communicate a company’s financial information. Accountants must develop and apply skills in auditing, taxation, management policy, information systems, and computer operations.
A degree in accounting can enable you to work in a wide variety of industries. Every business needs accounting help, whether it's a Wall Street law firm, a professional sports team, movie Production Company, or a rock band. With the proper accounting education, your employment options are limitless. The Accounting degree at Colorado Mesa University provides you with basic business skills and the accounting knowledge for various professional certificates, as well as the information system knowledge necessary to design and maintain accounting information systems. The accounting program also offers the option of a five year (3 + 2) program which allows students to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and an MBA. This program meets CPA certification requirements in all states.
Students within the CMU Accounting program also have the opportunity to participate in student clubs and organizations, including the Accounting Club, Phi Beta Lambda and the Tax Assistance Program. These opportunities aid students in obtaining employment upon graduation.
• Accountant, public practice
• Actuary
• Assistant Controller
• Auditor
• Bookkeeper
• Budget Accountant
• Chief Cost Accountant
• Chief Financial Officer
• CIA Agent
• Claims Adjuster/Examiner
• Collection Agent
• Commercial Banker
• Consumer Credit Officer
• Contract Administrator
• Controller
• Cost Accountant
• Cost Dept. Supervisor
• Credit/Collection Specialist
• EDP Auditor
• Estate Planner
• External Auditor
• FBI Agent
• Financial Aid Director
• Financial Analyst
• Financial Investment Analyst
• Governmental Accountant
• Industrial Accountant
• Inventory Control Specialist
• IRS Investigator
• Lawyer - Audit Manager
• Loan Administrator
• Loan Officer
• Managerial Accountant
• Payroll Manager
• Property Accountant
• Systems Accountant
• Systems Analyst
• Tax Accountant
• Tax Compliance Specialist
• Tax Lawyer
• Tax Specialist
• Tax Supervisor/Auditor
• Treasurer
• Treasury Management Specialist
• Trust Accountant
• Underwriter
Note: Some of the occupations listed above may require additional education, experience, or training beyond a bachelor’s degree. To research these occupations use the Career Research Resources links below.
sheets, schedules, ledgers, and account and bank reconciliations.
• Perform auditing, bookkeeping and budgeting.
• Advise clients on compensation, employee benefits, and accounting or data processing systems.
• Assist clients in tax preparation and/or estate planning.
• Provide advice on cash flow, profit and loss, and financial management using forecasts and business plans.
• Maintain, coordinate, and/or oversee payroll administration.
• Establish and coordinate accounting control procedures.
• Banks and Financial Institutions
• Corporations
• Entertainment Industries
• Government Agencies and Services
• Institutions of Higher Education
• Investment Firms
• Law Firms
• Natural Resource/Energy Industries
• Non-profit Businesses
• Tax Services
• Technical/Manufacturing Industries
Skills Needed by Accounting majors:
• Adapt well to frequent change• Analyze and interpret data
• Computer literacy
• Critical and logical thinking
• Efficient
• Numerical computation
• Oral and written communication
• Organization and systemizing skills
• Problem solver
• Work independently or in teams
Other Accounting resources
Reach out to CMU Career Services for resources and guidance on reaching your career goals. Career Services takes an active role in providing career exploration, workshops, events and on-campus employer visits to encourage students to investigate and gain information while creating their career path.
You can also use these sites to research information about specific occupations such as nature of the work, training or qualifications, employment or job outlook, projections, earnings and wages.
Occupational Outlook Handbook: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/
The Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Use the A-Z index to select the occupation you are researching. •
- View OOH information on Archivists, Curators, and Museum Technicians
O*NET-Online: http://www.onetonline.org
The U.S. Department of Labor- In the occupational search box type in key words, job titles, or occupational codes to research various careers.
My Future.com: https://myfuture.com/
The Department of Defense
- This site compiles information from departments of Commerce, Education and Labor.