There are practically no limits to the career opportunities available for you as an accountant. Choices range from public practice to industry to government and to education.
Professional career tracks include auditor, tax advisor, investment analyst, financial analyst, credit analyst, cost accountant, controller, business consultant, financial planner, government accountant, and educator.
Some of the newest and hottest career fields in accounting include: personal financial planning, forensic accounting and information technology.
Featured Graduate Outcomes:
Leah Pieniadz, ’17 – Audit Associate at KPMG
“Utilize career services as early as you can! If you maintain a good relationship with someone in that office, there is no doubt that career services will do everything they can to help you become successful after graduation.”
Lauren Kelly, ’17 – Ernst and Young in Baltimore has hired Kelly as a Staff 1 Assurance Associate
“HPU has helped me by providing a learning environment where I was challenged and encouraged to ask questions. In addition, I was held at a high standard in terms of expectations from my professors, which developed my drive, work ethic and confidence.”
Kayla Ricks, ’17 – Ernst & Young, LLP in Baltimore, Maryland as a Staff 1 Assurance Associate
“High Point University has helped shape me into a young business professional who’s ready to explore whatever is thrown my way.”
Recent HPU accounting graduates have accepted positions with:
| Affiliated Physicians Group: Junior Accountant | KPMG: Audit Associate (5) |
| Avalara: Tax Analyst | Lowe's: Finance Specialist |
| Charter Oak Communities: Junior Accountant | Mindshare: Accounting Consultant |
| Datto, Inc.: Financial Analyst | Navy Federal Credit Union: Member Service Rep |
| Deloitte Corporate Finance: Investment Banking Analyst | New York City Economic Development Corporation: Junior Accountant |
| Deloitte: Audit Associate | Piedmont Trust Company: Tax Preparer |
| DHG - Dixon Hughes Goodman: Assurance Associate (3) | PWC: Assurance Associate (4) |
| DHG: Assurance Intern | PwC: Tax Associate (2) |
| EY - Ernst & Young: Assurance Associate (4) | Robertson Neal & Company, LLP: Accountant |
| EY - Ernst & Young: Staff I Insurance | RSM US LLP - formerly McGladrey: Assurance Associate (2) |
| Grant Thornton: Assurance Associate (2) | Smith Leonard PLLC: Assurance Associate |
| HBO: Sports Production Financial Assistant | Smith Leonard PLLC: Tax Associate |
| IL Long Construction: Accounts Payable, General Ledger, and Payroll Accountant | The Daniel Professional Group: Tax Intern |
| Kohl's: Assistant Store Manager | United States Army: Second Lieutenant |
| XO Group Inc.: Junior Staff Accountant |
The three most visible professional certifications in accounting are:
(1) Certified Public Accountant (CPA);
(2) Certified Management Accountant (CMA), and
(3) Certified Internal Auditor (CIA).
The CPA certification is the professional designation for career paths in public accounting which generally includes public auditing, management advisory services and tax advisory services. Additionally, once the CPA certificate has been obtained, the American Institute of Public Accountants (AICPA-sponsor of the national CPA exam) offers additional specialized professional certifications.
- Personal Financial Planning (PFP): For CPAs specializing in personal financial planning.
- Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP) : For CPAs who seek a professional credential as a technology professional.
- Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV). For CPAs specializing in the valuation of businesses.
The CMA certification is the professional designation for management accountants and financial managers which may include Controllers, and Chief Financial Officers. The CMA exam tests a broad range of topics including economics, business finance and places a strong emphasis on business ethics.
The CIA certification is a professional designation for those accountants within an organization who are responsible for the internal audit function. The Institute of Internal Auditors provide a specialty certification for audit principles and practices within the banking, insurance, and financial services industries–Certified Financial Services Auditor (SFSA). Additionally the Institute offers a specialty designation– Certification in Control Assessment (CCSA) for practitioners of control self-assessment and the Government Auditing Professional (CGAP), for public sector internal auditing practitioners. Enactment of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 has greatly increased the demand for qualified individuals in this very important area.
