A bachelor’s degree in accounting most directly prepares you to pursue accountant or auditor roles. It can also lead toward public accounting, company accounting, tax work, and some government positions. A CPA license is a separate credential—not a universal requirement for accounting jobs—and requirements vary by state.
What jobs can you pursue with an accounting degree?
The degree can be used in different settings and types of work. The clearest starting point is accountant or auditor, but tax, company accounting, and government work are also relevant directions. Requirements depend on the specific job and employer; the degree does not guarantee a particular position.
Accountant or auditor
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field is typically required for accountant and auditor work. The occupation covers a range of duties, so a graduate may pursue a junior or staff role and build experience rather than begin in a specialized or senior position.
In public accounting, accountants work with documents clients disclose, including tax forms and financial statements. Management accountants prepare information for internal business use. These settings differ in who uses the accounting work and what it supports.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Company and management accounting
Businesses need accurate financial records and internal reporting. An accounting graduate may look for staff or junior accounting roles, then build the experience needed for more responsibility. A degree alone does not mean someone will start as a controller or accounting manager.
Tax work
Tax-related directions include tax preparation and tax work in accounting firms, as well as government tax administration. Requirements vary by position. The BLS describes tax examiners, collectors, and revenue agents as primarily government occupations that typically require a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field. IRS revenue agents generally need accounting education or a CPA, while tax examiner positions may have different routes.
Adjacent analytical roles
Accounting knowledge may be useful in work such as financial analysis or internal audit. These are possibilities to investigate, not guaranteed entry-level destinations: requirements depend on the job, and a bachelor’s degree in accounting is not established as sufficient for every role. Check actual job postings for required experience, credentials, and technical skills.
How do accounting roles differ?
| Direction | Typical work or setting | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Public accounting | Client-facing work involving disclosed financial documents, including tax forms and financial statements. | Whether the role requires or favors a CPA, and what experience it expects. |
| Company or management accounting | Financial records and internal reporting for an organization. | Whether the position is junior or staff-level, and which skills or experience the employer requires. |
| Tax administration | Government tax work, including examiner, collector, or revenue-agent roles. | Requirements for the specific position; pathways differ by job. |
| Adjacent analysis or internal audit | Analytical or review work that may draw on accounting knowledge. | Whether the employer accepts an accounting degree and whether the opening is entry level. |
To compare opportunities, consider the work itself, the setting, credential expectations, experience requirements, and pay and outlook where you plan to work. National occupational data can provide context, but it does not tell you what a particular employer or local labor market requires.
Rank #3
What do pay and job outlook figures show?
BLS’s 2025 figures describe U.S. occupations as a whole, not recent graduates, accounting-degree holders specifically, or starting salaries.
| Occupation | May 2025 median annual wage | Projected employment change, 2025–2035 | Average annual openings, 2025–2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accountants and auditors | $83,680 | 5% growth | About 115,300; many openings reflect workers transferring occupations or leaving the labor force. |
| Tax examiners, collectors, and revenue agents | $62,370 | 1% decline | About 4,400; largely reflecting replacement needs. |
These figures can help you understand the broader occupations, but they are not personal salary estimates or a promise of employment. Pay and opportunities vary by role and location.
Rank #4
Will you need a CPA?
No—not for every accounting job. A bachelor’s degree is typically required for accountant and auditor work; CPA licensure is a separate professional credential. It may improve prospects in particular fields, and some public accounting duties or advancement paths may favor or require it.
CPA education, exam, and experience rules depend on the licensing jurisdiction. The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) describes model routes that include a bachelor’s degree plus 30 additional semester credits, one year of experience, and the CPA Exam; or a bachelor’s degree with 120 semester hours, two years of experience, and the CPA Exam. These are model pathways, not a guarantee that a state has adopted either route. Check the board in the jurisdiction where you intend to become licensed.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Best Value
How much experience do employers expect?
A degree is a common education requirement, but it does not mean every opening is designed for a new graduate. In BLS’s 2025 Occupational Requirements Survey, a bachelor’s degree was required for 91.3% of accountant and auditor jobs. Prior work experience was required for 70.7%, and on-the-job training for 74.1%. These are measures of job requirements, not an individual applicant’s hiring odds.
When assessing a role, read the posting for its stated experience level and training expectations. An entry-level or staff opening may be a more realistic first step than a position with supervisory responsibilities.
Quick Recap
How to choose a direction
- Decide what work interests you. Compare financial reporting, audit, tax, and analysis.
- Choose a setting to explore. Consider public accounting firms, private employers, and government agencies.
- Read local job postings. Identify the experience, credentials, and skills employers actually request for the roles you want.
- Check whether CPA licensure fits your goal. If it does, confirm the current education, exam, and experience requirements with the relevant state board.
- Compare local prospects. Use national BLS figures as context, then check the occupation profile and opportunities in your state or metro area.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
