What Can You Do With an Accounting Degree

You've always been good with numbers. You like knowing there's a logical way to work through a problem, and you're willing to stay with it until everything adds up. You might also be the person who notices small errors others overlook and takes the time to correct them.

That kind of analytical thinking and attention to detail are traits that define the accounting profession.

With strengths like that, several business majors could make sense for you. Finance, economics, management and accounting all involve analyzing information and making decisions based on data. The difference comes down to the type of work you want to do and the role you want to play inside an organization.

If you've started wondering, "What can you do with an accounting degree?", you're likely trying to picture where an accounting degree could lead you after college. An accounting degree can lead to roles in public accounting firms, private companies, government agencies and nonprofit organizations.

At Northwest Missouri State University, the bachelor of science in accounting is designed to help you turn those strengths into professional expertise. Through focused coursework, hands-on projects and accounting internships, you'll gain the technical knowledge and real-world experience that prepare you for long-term accounting careers. You'll also earn your degree through a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), ensuring it meets recognized professional standards.

Explore Northwest's Accounting Degree

What Do Accountants Do?

When you think about what accountants do, you might picture someone working with numbers all day. But the role involves far more than calculations.

As an accountant, you analyze financial information so organizations can make informed decisions. You prepare financial statements, review records, apply tax laws and evaluate whether a company follows reporting standards. If you work in public accounting, you may audit financial statements or prepare tax returns for clients. If you work in a corporate or managerial role, you focus on internal reporting, cost analysis and performance evaluation to support company leadership.

You also apply professional standards such as Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS). You use data analytics tools to identify patterns, assess risk and communicate findings.

"Students who choose accounting are preparing to join a trusted profession," says Steve Ludwig, chair of Northwest's Booth School of Business. "You're taking on work where accuracy, professional judgment and ethical responsibility matter every day."

In Northwest's accounting program, you'll analyze evidence, make professional judgments and communicate conclusions so you're ready for client and organizational work.

Accounting Careers Come Into Focus at Northwest

As you explore what you can do with an accounting degree, you'll see that careers span a range of professional roles. Some accountants work in public firms, serving multiple clients in audit or tax. Others work inside a single organization, helping leaders evaluate performance, manage costs and plan for the future.

At Northwest, the accounting degree reflects those differences. Rather than following the same upper-level coursework regardless of career goals, you'll select a track that aligns with the type of work you want to pursue.

If examining financial statements, preparing tax returns or serving multiple clients sounds appealing, the public accounting track X is built for that environment. You'll develop a strong foundation in financial reporting, auditing standards and tax law, with coursework that builds the knowledge tested on the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam.

If supporting managers within a single organization feels like a better fit, the managerial accounting track X emphasizes cost accounting, financial management and strategy. You'll learn to analyze operational data and translate it into insights that guide decision-making, while developing the competencies associated with the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) credential.

With two distinct tracks, you'll focus your studies earlier rather than waiting until after graduation to specialize. No matter which direction you choose, accounting internships give you the opportunity to apply what you're learning in professional settings before you graduate. Along the way, you'll learn in small classes designed to help you build relationships with faculty mentors who can support your goals.

Gain Experience Through Accounting Internships and Hands-on Projects

At Northwest, your learning isn't confined to the classroom. Through accounting internships and course projects, you'll gain firsthand experience before you graduate. Northwest accounting students have completed internships with organizations such as FORVIS Mazars, Eide Bailly and Burns & McDonnell, gaining exposure to audit, tax and corporate accounting work in major cities such as Kansas City and Omaha.

In public accounting internships, you might perform audit procedures in lower-risk areas, help prepare less complex tax returns and research accounting questions using professional standards - the same types of responsibilities assigned to entry-level staff accountants.

"Students start to understand the profession once they see how the work happens beyond the classroom," says Dr. Ludwig. "That experience helps them recognize the level of responsibility and judgment the role requires."

You'll also complete projects that require you to analyze financial information, evaluate risk and present your findings. Instead of only solving textbook problems, you'll develop the analytical and communication skills expected in professional roles. In upper-level auditing coursework, students complete a group project that develops an audit plan - from understanding the client and industry to identifying risk and documenting findings.

Outside of class, involvement in the Accounting Society connects you with representatives from public accounting firms and private companies across the region. Employer visits and student trips to metropolitan areas such as Kansas City, Omaha and Des Moines provide insight into internship and full-time opportunities.

Explore Accounting Degree Jobs and Salary Potential

What can you do with an accounting degree? Our graduates pursue roles across public firms, private companies, government agencies and nonprofit organizations. Many begin in roles such as:

• Audit associate: Examine records and test transactions to ensure reports follow professional standards.
• Assurance associate: Support external audits and review financial documentation.
• Staff accountant: Prepare financial statements, reconcile accounts and assist with monthly reporting.
• Credit analyst: Evaluate financial data to assess lending risk.
• Coordinator of accounting: Manage daily accounting operations within an organization.

Recent Northwest graduates have accepted positions with firms and organizations including RSM US LLP, FORVIS, Waldinger, BlueScope Buildings North America, MFA Incorporated and the Missouri State High School Activities Association.

The demand for accountants remains steady. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of accountants and auditors is projected to grow 5% through 2034, with about 124,200 openings each year. Recent Northwest graduates also reported a 100% placement rate for both the public accounting and managerial accounting tracks, reflecting strong outcomes across career paths.

In terms of earning potential, the median annual wage for accountants and auditors was $81,680 in 2024, the BLS reports. While accounting major salary levels vary by role, location, experience and professional credentials, the profession offers competitive pay and long-term stability.

If you're still weighing accounting against finance, understanding how the two majors differ in coursework and career paths can help clarify your decision.

Turn Your Strengths Into an Accounting Career With Northwest

If you're good with numbers, attentive to detail and motivated by work that requires precision and thoughtful decision-making, an accounting degree is a good fit. At Northwest, you'll choose a focus that aligns with your goals, gain experience through internships and projects and graduate ready for a profession that offers stability and long-term opportunity. Explore the accounting degree at Northwest to see how it aligns with your interests and goals.

Explore Northwest's Accounting Degree