Beyond Spreadsheets: Seven unexpected Career Paths with an Accounting Degree
A degree in accounting isn’t just about balancing books; it’s a gateway to diverse and rapidly growing career opportunities. From tackling climate change to safeguarding digital assets, the possibilities are surprisingly broad.Experts from leading firms – Greta Smith, Assurance Senior Manager at PwC; Ash Golzio, Advisory Senior Associate at KPMG; and Shenique Gray, Audit and Assurance Partner at Deloitte & Touche LLP - highlight how an accounting background can lead to impactful roles across numerous industries. As smith puts it, “Where you have money, people, organizations, industries, and purpose showing up in the world, accountants can make an impact.”
Here’s a look at seven unexpected career paths you can forge with an accounting degree:
1. Climate Accounting
With increasing global focus on environmental responsibility, companies are under pressure to accurately measure and report their environmental impact. Climate accountants play a crucial role in verifying these reports, particularly regarding carbon emissions. They fact-check company claims and provide transparent assessments of their impact on the planet. According to Smith, this field is particularly rewarding. “I feel like I’m making some change in the world. I help companies accurately report their climate-related activities,” she says. “My group helps validate that companies are being transparent and are doing what they say.” Smith even playfully refers to herself as the “hippie accountant,” demonstrating how the profession can align with personal passions.
The integrity of financial details is paramount,especially for publicly traded companies. Cybersecurity roles within accounting leverage analytical skills to protect sensitive data and ensure the reliability of financial reporting. Golzio explains the core function: “If you think about all of the public companies that people invest in and that our economies and our world run on, the information they are releasing and reporting on must be accurate and reliable.” She clarifies that much of the work focuses on ensuring fairness and accuracy, rather than solely investigating malicious intent. “A lot of what I do is more about providing an opinion on the fairness of what companies report.”
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