Three Exciting Fields You Can Work In With A Degree In Accounting

Posted on: 16 October 2015

People who major in accounting often get stereotyped as bean counters. While bean counters are needed in the world, there is so much more you can do with an accounting degree. The best part about it, you do not even have to stay in the business field, unless you really want to. There are many exciting careers in the fields of law, entertainment, sports, and more, that are looking for someone who is good with numbers. 

Become A Special Agent

If you have ever had a desire to track down bad guys, you can now that you are armed with an accounting degree. In the war on terrorism, as well as their war on other crimes, the CIA, FBI, ATF, as well as other federal agencies always stand in need of those who can help them follow the money trail. As a special agent you may help them to conduct investigations into:

  • Cyber crime
  • Counter terrorism
  • Organized crime
  • White collar crime
  • Racketeering
  • Human trafficking
  • Drug trading, and more

If this is the route you choose to go, be able to pass an in-depth background check, a medical exam, physical fitness test, and an extensive application process. Once you get through this, be prepared for more education, because you will then be required to go through the special agent entry program.

If you choose to work for the FBI, but you do not want to fight crime, you can always help them with the multitude of financial matters that are present within an agency of that magnitude. Although an administrative job may not be as exciting as the work of a special agent, it actually pays better.

With a degree you may be hired with pay up to a GS-14 level which will average around $84,700. As a special agent you will receive slightly more than half of that as a GS-10 with a base salary average of $47,300. In addition to these base salaries, the Bureau will adjust your salary an additional 12 - 30% to compensate you for the costs of living for the area in which you live. 

Become A Sports Accountant

There are not too many fields where a person can command the types of salaries that major athletic figures command. This is because major sports leagues have major money, and anywhere there is major money, there is always a need for an accountant. If you have a love for sports, you can combine this love with your accounting degree by becoming a sports accountant. There are many roles to be had in the sports industry for an accountant. You can work for:

  • Promoters
  • Agents or Managers
  • Professional Athletes
  • Arenas, Ball parks, Stadiums, Recreational Sports Centers and more

While the salaries of accountants employed within the sporting field depend greatly who they are employed by, as well as their role, the average salary for spectator sports accountants was approximately $68,000.

Become An Entertainment Accountant

If Hollywood or any other hub of the entertainment business is calling your name, you may want to answer with your accounting degree in hand. This is because there are many job opportunities for those who are willing to offer their financial services to the stars, studios, production support staff, and more. In addition to being good with numbers, when you work with people who are often bigger than life, you have to have strong people skills, be willing to be the voice of reason, be able to maintain confidentiality, as well as maintain discretion. 

In the entertainment industry, you may don many hats and offer your services in a wide variety of ways. Some of these may be:

  • Contract analysis
  • Bookkeeping
  • Tax-preparer
  • Business manager
  • Complete financial services, and many other things

This can be a very lucrative field depending on the level of services you are providing. Some entertainment accountants are actually paid a percentage of the annual income of the person they are working for. When you are working for someone who is making several million per year, even 3-5% can quickly add up to being really good money. 

You do not have to be worried about being a bean counter for the rest of your life with a degree in accounting. These are just a few of the many places you can use your degree from a place like Interactive College of Technology. There are many other opportunities in the world just waiting for you to apply your knowledge. 

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