Public accounting offers a varied career path.  The duties of an account will depend on the size of the firm , and is generally a “partnership” In a small firm, one may work on business audits and taxes for both businesses and individuals. In larger firms, you will likely work on audits or taxes, depending on your skills and the needs of the firm. Analytically-minded accountants could find work for in business advisory or consulting.

Most firms recruit from local universities for semester or summer internships or as  entry-level accountants. Your best chance of getting an interview is to  taking the CPA exam. Online degrees are acceptable, some hiring managers look  down on a self-study degrees.

Becoming a Certified Public Accountant is necessity for advancement.  In the first years you will gain certifications that while advance you to senior accountant positions, and later advance into management positions and eventually a potential for a partnership in the firm You even  found your own partnership. But that’s in the future.

If public accounting doesn’t interest you working for a business or for the government is an option. These positions entail a mixture of accounting/bookkeeping, taxes, financial analysis, and consulting, or also be an business or governmental auditor. many businesses don’t want to spend time training new  accountants, but Federal agencies d, are more willing to train new hires.  A CPA certification certainly won’t hurt, but other certifications, such as Certified Internal Auditor or Certified Management Accountant can be helpful for the  needs of the business or government.

Another career choice may be teaching accounting at a community college or a university.  A Master’s degree in accounting will help you get that position.