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Accountants and Auditors

Typical education: Bachelor's degreeLower pressure Bright Outlook

What they do

Examine, analyze, and interpret accounting records to prepare financial statements, give advice, or audit and evaluate statements prepared by others. Install or advise on systems of recording costs or other financial and budgetary data.

Kinds of work

  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.
  • Enterprising: Leading, persuading, selling and starting new projects or businesses.
  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.

Lower pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $83,680 Median per year · $40.23/hr Most earn $56,020–$144,090

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Prepare, examine, or analyze accounting records, financial statements, or other financial reports to assess accuracy, completeness, and conformance to reporting and procedural standards.
  • Compute taxes owed and prepare tax returns, ensuring compliance with payment, reporting, or other tax requirements.
  • Develop, implement, modify, and document recordkeeping and accounting systems, making use of current computer technology.
  • Advise clients in areas such as compensation, employee health care benefits, the design of accounting or data processing systems, or long-range tax or estate plans.
  • Report to management regarding the finances of establishment.
  • Examine records and interview workers to ensure recording of transactions and compliance with laws and regulations.

Job outlook

Bright Outlook Rapid Growth; Numerous Job Openings

United States
5% more jobs by 2035, faster than average · about 115,300 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll services21.4%
  • Management of companies and enterprises6.1%
  • Self-employed (their own business)5.5%
  • Local government, excluding education and hospitals3.5%
  • Real estate3.0%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Often remoteExperience before this job: 6 months to 1 year

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Bachelor's degreeExperience before this job: 6 months to 1 year

Accountants and auditors usually need a bachelor's degree, and most people start in an entry-level accounting role for about 6 months to a year before taking on the full job. It typically takes around 4 years of school plus a short stretch of entry-level work to get here.

  1. Bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field

    4 years

    You learn core accounting, finance, and business law, which are the foundation for reading and preparing financial records.

  2. Staff Accountant

    6 months to 1 year

    You start handling real records like ledgers, reconciliations, and reports, which builds the hands-on experience employers look for.

  3. Accountant and Auditor

    Ongoing

    You examine financial statements, advise clients or your organization, and check that records are accurate and follow rules.

Where it can lead

  1. Financial Manager

    4-6 years of experience first

    You shift from checking the numbers to planning budgets, guiding financial decisions, and leading a team, which usually requires strong communication and leadership skills.

  2. Treasurer or Controller

    8-10 years of experience first

    You oversee all of an organization's accounting and reporting, a senior role that builds on deep experience and a record of sound financial leadership.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take math classes, including statistics if offeredStrong math skills make college accounting and finance courses much easier.
  • Join a business or finance clubClubs like a school business or DECA-style group let you practice budgeting, presenting, and teamwork.
  • Get a job that handles moneyA part-time job at a store or restaurant teaches you to count cash, track sales, and balance a register.
  • Learn spreadsheet basicsPracticing with a spreadsheet program helps you build the skill accountants use every day.
  • Volunteer as a treasurer or helper for a groupHelping a club, team, or nonprofit track its money shows you what real record-keeping looks like.

In college

  • Major in accounting or take core accounting coursesIntro and intermediate accounting, plus auditing and taxes, build the knowledge this career requires.
  • Pursue an accounting internshipInternships are a common way to get your first accounting role and to learn how firms actually work.
  • Join an accounting or finance student organizationThese groups offer networking, guest speakers, and sometimes career fairs focused on accounting employers.
  • Take a campus job in a finance or bursar officeWorking with student billing, payroll, or budgets gives you real record-keeping experience and a reference.
  • Build Excel skills through a course or certificationAdvanced spreadsheet skills make you stand out for entry-level accounting jobs.

Tips for getting started

  • Get comfortable with spreadsheets, especially Excel, since nearly every accounting job uses them every day.
  • Look for internships or part-time bookkeeping work early. Hands-on experience is what helps you move into your first real accounting role.
  • Many accountants later pursue a CPA license, so it's worth asking advisors about that path while you're in school.

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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