Accountancy and finance : Job options

Jobs directly related to your degree

In order to become a qualified accountant you will need to obtain a professional accountancy qualification which is then recognised worldwide. There are several different types of accountant::

• Chartered accountant - provides services such as financial reporting, taxation, auditing, corporate finance, business recovery and insolvency, and accounting systems. Generally, they play a strategic role by providing professional advice, aiming to maximise profitability on behalf of their client or employer. They may work for individuals or large, commercial and public sector organisations.
• Chartered certified accountant - employed within the public sector, financial services or the corporate sector. Managing information, they are responsible for developing and maintaining financial and accounting systems, financial forecasting, auditing financial records and investigating financial anomalies. They may produce reports and budget plans, and contribute to strategy.
• Chartered management accountant - applies the principles of accounting to provide the financial information necessary for the planning and financial protection of organisations. They establish and maintain financial policies and management information systems. The role combines accounting skills with business management skills.
• Chartered public finance accountant - handles financial management, audit and investment in local and central government, the NHS, higher education and other publicly funded organisations. They focus on ensuring that public services are provided as effectively as possible with the limited resources available.

Jobs where your degree would be useful

• Investment analyst - undertakes research to provide ideas and information for fund managers to enable them to make decisions related to the investment portfolios they manage.
• Financial trader - buys and sells securities, making market prices and executing trades, whilst working closely with both sales and research staff in order to understand market and investment sentiment.
• Actuarial consultant or Actuary - problem-solver who analyses and interprets data and creates models of the future to assess risks and estimate outcomes.
• Banker - works within a banking environment providing financial services to individuals and businesses. Has responsibility for customer relations and creating new business and possible involvement in branch management bank strategy.
• Credit analyst - manages the relationship between frontline managers and the public to ensure that the latter receive a quality service and quick response to requests for credit.
• Management consultant - independent consultant with the ability to provide a wider expertise than is available with a single organisation, e.g. in managing change. Management consultants usually work for consultancies, many of them offering specialist services to particular industries or specialising in particular areas of management development and change.
• Tax adviser - uses knowledge of changing tax legislation to provide professional advisory and consultancy services to clients. A tax adviser explains complicated legislation, and its implications for their clients, in simple terms.

Other options

Don’t forget there are alternatives to entering employment or postgraduate study, such as taking time out, volunteering or travelling. When seeking employment in accountancy and finance, work experience can be very beneficial in helping you to gain the skills and experience that employers seek. If your course did not include a work placement seek some paid or unpaid work in the field that you are interested in. Bear in mind that wok experience outside of accountancy and finance may also be useful, particularly if it familiarises you with a range of environments and cultures and gives you an understanding of the ethos and aims of the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Longer term, you may want to consider starting your own business.

Although some of the jobs listed here might not be first jobs for many graduates, they are among the many realistic possibilities with your degree, provided you can demonstrate you have the attributes employers are looking for. Bear in mind that it’s not just your degree discipline that determines your options. Remember that many graduate vacancies don't specify particular degree disciplines, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here. Look at your degree... what next? for informed advice on career planning and graduate employment, or take a look at what jobs would suit me?, a helpful starting point for self-analysis.

Explore types of jobs to find out more about the above options and related jobs.