For some people, choosing a career path is simple and natural, whereas for others it can take a while and quite a bit of research. If you’re at the point in life where you are either choosing your career path for the first time, or perhaps you are looking to change your career, then it’s time to look at the options closely.
The masters in accounting is one that tends to get overlooked sometimes. People assume that means it prepares you to work at a chartered public accountant (CPA) and that’s about it. While there’s nothing wrong with that particular job, it just may not be for you. But here’s the thing, did you know that by obtaining your online accounting degree through a school with a solid reputation like Ohio University, you will be opening a number of career paths? Let’s take a closer look at some of the jobs that it can lead to.
Financial Controller
If you’re looking to one day have an executive position within a company, a financial controller is certainly that position. This job can also be called the comptroller, and is made up of a number of responsibilities. As the financial controller, it will be up to you to provider leadership to the accounting department, oversee the accounting procedures, financial planning and reporting, and making sure all internal controls are in place and followed.
The median salary for a financial controller is $79,498.
Chief Financial Officer
As a chief financial officer, you will be taking on a number of roles at once, but all of them can fit into three main categories of responsibility. As CFO you will be looking after the treasury duties for the company, which means determining the company’s financial position and figuring out how to invest its money. You will also be in charge of the controllership duties, which means you need to report all the financial history and current standing of the company in an accurate manner. Then there is the forecasting and economic strategy that you will also need to play a big part in.
The median salary for a CFO is $129,110.
Director of Accounting
As a director of accounting, your job goes much further than just general accounting. You’ll also need to implement and then set up a system of internal controls that ensures the company is in compliance to the financial policies. You will also be responsible for putting together financial analyses and then recommendations based on those analyses. As a director you will be in a management role, which means you will be leading staff.
The median salary for a director of accounting is $95,456.
Get the Complete Picture Before You Decide
So before you decide a masters in accounting isn’t for you simply because you don’t want to be a CPA, it’s important to spend some time researching the many career paths that it can make possible for you.
Maggie Hammond is a retired nurse and freelance writer, exploring and writing in the U.S. in retirement. An advocate for public health and nursing qualifications, she feels passionate about raising awareness of the current strain on public health organizations.
