What Can I Do With a Major In Accounting?

​​​​​​Accounting Student Organizations

• Beta Alpha Psi - a national scholastic and professional fraternity whose purpose is advancing the study and practice of accounting by providing opportunities for self development and by promoting association among members and professional accountants, as well as encouraging a sense of ethical, social, and public responsibility.

• National Association of Black Accountants - seeks to unite professionals and students who have similar interests and ideals, are committed to professional and academic excellence, possess a sense of professional and civic responsibility, and are concerned with enhancing opportunities for minorities in the accounting, finance and business related professions

Additional Terry Student Organizations

• Atlas Business Society**- open to 1st and 2nd year students, aims to give student a competitive edge in business through resume building, LinkedIn profile creation, and interview preparation, complemented by talks from industry leaders. The society also engages in community service events and hosts social gatherings to foster member bonding.
  • Magellan Program** - open to 1st year students, semester-long program focused on skill development and peer networking; Applications are open only at the beginning of the Fall semester.
• Alpha Kappa Psi - co-ed professional business fraternity open to all majors, focused on creating a brotherhood bond and enhancing professional development through seminars, community service, and social events.
• Delta Sigma Pi - co-ed professional business fraternity that develops principled business leaders and offers lifelong opportunities for its members, providing training in professional skills, leadership, and service.
• Multicultural Business Student Association - open to all students, MBSA aims to develop young professionals into future business leaders committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Society of Entrepreneurs - connects students to resources of the Entrepreneurship Program and the Athens entrepreneurial community
• Terry Ambassadors** - build community and enhance awareness of opportunities within the college by engaging with students and alumni, thereby furthering the Terry legacy.
• Terry Women's Initiative - open to UGA students of all majors, genders, and degree types, supports student success by offering experiences and resources to boost confidence and leadership skills, helping students achieve their goals.

       **Application required

​​​​​​POTENTIAL CAREER PATHS

• Accountants and Auditors: Prepare and examine financial records, identify potential areas of opportunity and risk, and provide solutions for businesses and individuals. They ensure that financial records are accurate, that financial and data risks are evaluated, and that taxes are paid properly. They also assess financial operations and work to help ensure that organizations run efficiently. 
• Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks: Produce financial records for organizations. They record financial transactions, update statements, and check financial records for accuracy.
• Budget Analyst: Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.
• Financial Analyst: Guide businesses and individuals in decisions about expending money to attain profit. They assess the performance of stocks, bonds, and other types of investments.
• Staff Accountant: Analyze financial information and prepare financial reports to determine or maintain record of assets, liabilities, profit and loss, tax liability, or other financial activities within an organization.
• Tax Consultant: Prepare tax returns for individuals or businesses.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, O*Net Online

ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS

• Utilize Career Services: Take advantage of UGA’s Career Center resources, including resume reviews, mock interviews, and job search workshops. The center can help you prepare for recruiting season and improve your chances of landing a position.
• Engage in Internships: Gain practical experience by participating in internships with public accounting firms, corporations, and/or government agencies to enhance your resume and develop professional skills.
• Join Professional Organizations: Get involved with student organizations (listed under Campus Resources) to expand your network, access resources, and develop leadership skills.
• Seek Mentorship: Connect with faculty, alumni, and/or professionals in the field to receive guidance, advice, or support as you navigate your academic and career paths. Sign up for the UGA Mentor Program to help with connecting with alumni.
• Be Mindful of the Recruiting Timeline: Understand the recruiting cycles for internships and full-time positions, which often start early in the Fall semester. Prepare your resume, practice your interview skills, and begin networking well in advance.
• Maintain a Strong GPA: Aim to keep your GPA as high as possible, ideally above 3.4, as many top accounting firms and corporations have minimum GPA requirements for their internship and job candidates. Consistent academic performance can also make you more competitive in the job market.
• Participate in Leadership Development Programs: These are sponsored by larger public accounting firms. Many students are offered internships as a result of participating in the leadership development programs.
• Double Dawgs Program: Consider participating in the Double Dawgs program, which allows qualified UGA undergraduate students to earn a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in five years or less. This program is particularly beneficial for accounting students looking to meet the additional credit hours required to sit for the CPA exam.
  • Accounting BBA/Accounting MAcc
• Attend Career Fairs and Networking Events: Make a point to attend career fairs, employer information sessions, and networking events hosted by the UGA Career Center, Tull School (Accounting Fair), and professional organizations. These events are valuable for meeting recruiters, learning about different companies, and exploring job opportunities.

COMPANY & SALARY RESEARCH

• Career Bliss
• GlassDoor
• Salary.com

LINKEDIN

• Join LinkedIn groups that are relevant to your career interests.  To search, select "groups" & type in your keywords.  
• Review the groups that professionals in your field of interest have joined & consider joining those as well.  
• To login, visit the LinkedIn main page. 

O*NET Online – The O*NET database includes information on skills, abilities, knowledge, work activities, and interests associated with over 900 occupations.  

My Next Move – An interactive tool for students and job seekers to learn more about their career options.  

Occupational Outlook Handbook – The OOH is a career resource offering information on the hundreds of occupations that provide most of jobs in the United States.  

Vault – Vault.com provides in-depth intelligence on what it’s really like to work in an industry, company, or profession – and how to position yourself to land that job.  

Candid Career – This resource provides you with access to thousands of informational video interviews with real professionals through an easy-to-use website.  

UGA Mentor Program – Connect with a mentor (alumni, faculty, staff) to research and explore industries and careers. Research industries and careers by connecting with a mentor for a quick chat or formal 16-week mentorship through the UGA Mentor Program.  

Interstride - Interstride is an interactive tool for both international and domestic students to enhance their international experience and employment potential. The platform consists of job-listings, hiring trends, employer information, self-assessments, and up-to-date immigration guidance. 

Glassdoor - Glassdoor is a free jobs and career community that offers an inside look at jobs and companies through "employee generated content" – anonymous salaries, company reviews, interview questions, and more – all posted by employees and job seekers.  

Steppingblocks - Research your future career with real-world stats about your major, your interests, and your dream job title with career and education searches designed to find your best path based on millions of others. It’s data-powered career exploration for doers like you.

GENERAL:

• Handshake (scroll down to the bottom of the page; login with your UGA MyID and password)  
• LinkedIn (this popular networking site also has a job board!) 
• Idealist (non-profit jobs) 
• USAJobs (federal jobs) 

MAJOR/CAREER SPECIFIC:

• Accounting.com
• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
• eFinancial Careers
• iHireAccounting
• Institute of Internal Auditors
• USAjobs

• American Accounting Association
• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
• Association of Government Accountants
• Becker
• Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
• Georgia Society of CPAs
• Institute of Internal Auditors
• National Association of Black Accountants

Tip: Join LinkedIn groups that are related to your career interest. Need help finding groups? Check out the Groups You May Like link under the Interests/Groups tab. Review the groups that professionals in your field of interest have joined and consider joining them as well.