Top Jobs With an Accounting Degree

A bachelor's in accounting consistently ranks among the highest-paying undergraduate degrees you can earn. Payscale data from May 2024 shows that working professionals with an accounting bachelor's consistently out-earn people with similar credentials.

According to Payscale, an accounting bachelor's pays an average of 11.2% more than a bachelor's in marketing and 9.7% more than a bachelor's in finance. It even out-earns a bachelor's degree in business administration by about 1.3%.

This career guide specifically focuses on high-paying jobs open to people with only a bachelor's degree in accounting. Use it to help inform your post-graduation playbook as you prepare for workforce entry.

Financial Manager

Financial managers typically work for private-sector organizations, especially in the finance and insurance industries. Taking both short-term and long-term views, they identify organizational finance goals and create strategies for meeting them. Financial managers also play a major role in selecting and managing investments.

• Job Outlook (2022-32): +16%
• Median Annual Salary: $156,100

Source: BLS

Actuary

Actuaries specialize in applying mathematical modeling, statistical analysis, and risk theory to calculate the financial costs associated with uncertainty. In addition to a bachelor's degree, the profession requires practitioners to pass a series of rigorous examinations. Commonly associated with the insurance industry, actuaries also work in finance, enterprise management, and government.

• Job Outlook (2022-32): +23%
• Median Annual Salary: $120,000

Source: BLS

Certified Management Accountant

Certified management accountants (CMAs) offer advanced expertise in both managerial accounting and financial strategy. Operating at the intersection of these two specializations, CMAs play leading roles in organizational financial planning, analysis, and decision-making. CMAs also help their employers and clients identify and mitigate financial and operational risks.

• Job Outlook (2022-32): +4%
• Average Annual Salary (May 2024): $101,000
• Additional Credentials: CMA Certification

Source: BLS, Payscale

Certified Public Accountant

Certified public accountants (CPAs) prepare financial statements, tax filings, and internal financial records for their clients or employers. They also offer consulting and financial analysis services, and some perform internal or external audits of financial records. To work as a CPA in the United States, you must earn and maintain a state-issued license.

• Job Outlook (2022-32): +4%
• Average Annual Salary (May 2024): $98,000
• Additional Credentials: CPA License

Source: BLS, Payscale

Budget Analyst

Budget analysts examine financial data for large organizations and companies, preparing reports on financing and spending. They play a significant role in organizational management and planning, applying specialized skills and tools to monitor clients' financial health. Budget analysts also evaluate budgeting requests and make recommendations on spending priorities.

• Job Outlook (2022-32): +3%
• Median Annual Salary: $84,940
• Additional Credentials: Chartered Financial Analyst

Source: BLS

Common Questions About Accounting Career Paths