What are Some Unusual Jobs for Accounting Graduates?

When most think about an accounting professional, we assume the person is an accountant despite the fact that there are many unusual jobs for accounting graduates. Working with numbers and figures is not just for accountants, auditors or actuaries. There are many careers out there for individuals with accounting-based training and a desire to work in the financial end of a business. Every business deals with money and financial transactions at some level and has an accountant or some kind of financial wizard on staff. Here are some unusual roles graduates of accounting programs might consider.

Environmental Accounting

With the increasing emphasis on utilizing environmentally-friendly business practices, businesses are really in the need for environmental accountants to help businesses incorporate green technology, comply with environmental laws and save money. As an environmental accountant working for a large corporation, the individual will develop company-wide goals to meet ecological issues and help the company budget for pollution management. Environmental accountants working for the government agencies like the EPA may investigate, document, and manage how environmental resources are utilized nationwide.

Information Technology

While IT conjures up systems and technology, there is much more to this profession because numbers and figures fall in the category of information. In many businesses, IT and business/finance are integrated, which can really change the work an accountant does in a technology-based firm. An accountant working as an IT specialist can help keep finances in order and also offer IT suggestions to management. Working as an IT professional/accounting specialist can be challenging and exciting career path.

Software Development

Accountants use various types of software throughout their day, which makes software developers a necessary commodity to the financial industry. Software developers working with accountants create software designed to make data analysis and management easier for everyone, whether it’s large companies or individuals looking for a home accounting system. A accountant working in software development will develop, maintain, and troubleshoot software that helps not just accountants, but various other types of financial professionals.

FBI

We’ve all watched cop or FBI shows on television and seen them track down hackers, thieves and similar criminals. With the Internet used in almost every area of our lives, our information and finances are at risk of being hacked, stolen, or compromised. Agencies like the FBI have a constant need for qualified accountants who not only have the knowledge to work with numbers and figures, but also the skill to find discrepancies and patterns of criminal behavior. An FBI accountant will help investigate and solve business and corporate crimes like embezzlement, fraud, identity theft, and similar cybercrimes. While working for the FBI may be an unusual job for an accountant, it can also be an incredibly exciting and challenging career path.

Sports Accounting

The sporting industry is huge, whether you’re talking about a major league organization, college program, or club level organizations. In all of these industries, large amounts of money are exchanged, whether it be paying athletes and coaches or collecting revenues from fans and sponsorships. Any time there is money, there is a need for an accountant. Working as a sports accountant is a great way to enjoy the sports industry without playing the actual game.

Accountants and auditors are predicted to see a job growth of ten percent during the decade of 2016-2026, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. As the economy continues to grow, so will the need for accountants and financial experts. The good news is that there are many exciting and unusual jobs for accounting graduates.