Accounting Careers & Internships

Why you should choose an Accounting career?

1. It’s a stable and growing field. No matter where you live or how the economy is doing, there is going to be a need for accountants. That’s because governments, businesses and not-for-profit organizations (and individuals) continually need accountants and bookkeepers to manage their budgets, deal with taxes, do financial reporting, complete audits…and the list goes on. Through good times and bad, accountants help companies of all sizes create strategic plans to maximize success and limit chances of failure. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics estimates the average median salary in 2023 for accountants and auditors to be $79,880 and the employment change in 2022-2032 to be 4%
2. There is a clear career path: If you’re studying accounting, you’re learning practical skills about crunching numbers and analyzing costs that employers need. If you choose to pursue an accounting degree, you’ll have a pretty solid idea of where your career will take you.
3. A number of opportunities and different work environment. Accounting professionals can find employment in all sorts of different work environments. While most accountants start out working in similar positions, there is a wide variety of opportunities that are ultimately available. You could work for a Fortune 500 corporation, an emerging entrepreneurial enterprise, the government or at a mission-driven nonprofit. Any organization needs an accountant. Some examples of the different types of accountants: Certified Public Accountant, forensic accountant, auditor, management accountant, government accountant or staff accountant.
4. You’ll meet interesting people. Whether they’re clients, coworkers, or people you meet by chance at a random event, your accounting career will bring you touch in with people from a diverse range of backgrounds. The relationships you build throughout your accounting career will play a big part in your personal and professional growth. You’ll have a lot of possible relationships to choose from.
5. Potential for professional growth. After graduation, you may begin as an entry-level associate but the potential for growth can be great. Many accounting graduates will start as staff accountants or assistants. After getting established and gaining experience, career advancement can be achieved through on-the-job performance and additional education or certifications like earning an MBA or CPA.
6. There is an entrepreneurial potential. You can start your own accounting firm. It’s definitely good to have this as an option. It’s a chance to take the reins, set your own schedule and balance work and family on your own terms.

CPA Examination

The accounting curriculum prepares students to sit for the Certified Public Accounting (CPA) examination. In order to obtain the CPA licensure in New Jersey, students require one year of relevant accounting experience, successful completion of all four parts of the CPA examination and 150 academic credits. In New Jersey, graduate students must have a minimum of 24 semester hours in accounting and 24 credits in related business subjects. The New Jersey City (NJCU) program also includes classes in advanced and government accounting, business law, finance and related elective courses. The undergraduate accounting program combined with the Master of Science in Accounting is designed to meet the 150-credit requirement.

For CPA certification requirements in the State of New Jersey, please refer to the New Jersey Society of CPAs website.

Not interested by the CPA? Discover other career options in accounting: https://www.thiswaytocpa.com/segmented-landing/career-options/

To find out more:

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) (https://www.thiswaytocpa.com/why-cpa/)
• Certified Management Accountant (CMA) (https://www.imanet.org/cma-certification?ssopc=1)
• Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) (https://global.theiia.org/certification/CIA-Certification/Pages/CIA-Certification.aspx)
• Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) (https://www.acfe.com/become-cfe-qualifications.aspx)
• Certified Financial Planner ™ (CFP) (https://www.cfp.net/become-a-cfp-professional/cfp-certification-requirements)

Is accounting the right field for you? Take the next step on your accounting career path by pursuing one of NJCU programs in accounting.