Top 5 Accounting and Finance Careers After Graduation

Congratulations! You’ve made it through the academic journey, and now you are celebrating your achievement, but the next steps loom large on your mind. What would the most suitable career path for me be? Which degree should I take after that? 

How do I go about selecting the most suitable career path for me? Prior to making any career choices, one should weigh all options and write down the particulars of each career route to find out which one suits best.

Here are some of the most coveted career options of 2022 that you must consider after graduation.

The Top 5 Career Options After Graduation

1. Certified Public Accountant (US CPA)

The Certified Public Accountancy qualification is equivalent to Chartered Accountancy in India and is considered to be one of the highest designations provided to an accountant. This course is offered by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and can now be taken outside the USA.

With a US CPA, you are authorised to work as a Public Accountant in the US as well as any other accounting body that has a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) with the US. This includes Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong.

If you are interested and would like to know more about how to become a CPA, you should check out our Certified Public Accountant course.

Requirements for Becoming a US CPA:

1. To be eligible for the CPA exam, you need to have 120 credit points. To be eligible for the CPA licence, you need 150 credit points
2. With a 3-year degree in India, you get 30 credit points every year, which makes a total of 90 credit points.
3. In order to meet the eligibility criteria, you must complete your bachelor’s and at least a year of MCom, MBA or both CA Inter groups
4. There are a total of 55 USA states and union territories, but Indian students can only be eligible for 5 out of these 55

Job Profiles after US CPA

1. Internal & External Auditing
2. Accounting Advisory
3. Management Accounting
4. Tax Compliance

Companies aside from the Big 4 Hiring US CPA Profiles

1. Citibank
2. Amazon
3. Accenture
4. Barclays

 Source for US CPA Salary Figures – PayScale 

2. Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)

ACCA is a globally recognised qualification that is offered by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. It is a UK-based accounting body that is recognised across the world. As an ACCA you can work in Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, the UK and other countries of the European Union.

The ACCA exam consists of 3 different levels and 13 papers in total. If you have completed your graduation with degrees like B.Com, BBA or BAF, you may be eligible for exemption from some of the level 1 papers.

We at Zell Education have an excellent training program for ACCA. If you are interested in this course and would like to know more about the course and your eligibility for exemptions, do reach out to us or check out the ACCA course here.

Requirements for becoming an ACCA:

1. To be eligible to register for ACCA qualification, students should have qualified for their 10+2 examinations with an aggregate of 65% in Mathematics / Accounts and English, and a minimum of 50% in other subjects.
2. Students who have just cleared their class 10 examinations, or do not qualify as per the aforementioned criteria, can still register for the ACCA qualification via Foundation in Accountancy (FIA) route.

Job Profiles after ACCA

1. Accounting Advisory
2. Risk Advisory
3. Statutory Audit
4. Financial Reporting
5. Mergers and Acquisitions

Companies aside from the Big 4 Hiring ACCA Profiles

1. Morgan Stanley
2. P. Morgan
3. BDO
4. Blackstone

Source for International Annual ACCA Salary – ACCA Global

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3. Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)

A Chartered Financial Analyst is a professional who specialises in managing finances and is responsible for tasks like portfolio management, investment guidance, financial analysis, etc. The CFA exam consists of 3 levels.

It is a globally recognised qualification and will allow you to work as a finance professional in countries such as the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore.

If you are wondering how to become a CFA after graduation, then look no further! If you are interested in pursuing the CFA Course from Zell, you should definitely check out our course page or reach out to us if you have any additional queries.

Requirements for Becoming a CFA:

1. Bachelors’ degree (or be a final year student)
2. 4 years of professional work experience, out of which a minimum of 50% of work should be in the field of the investment decision-making process.
3. A valid international passport at the time of your exam.
4. A passing grade in the English assessment
5. Be a permanent residency of the participating country

Job Profiles after CFA

1. Investment Banking
2. Financial Analyst
3. Investment Strategy
4. Asset Management
5. Financial Consultancy

Companies aside from the Big 4 Hiring CFA Profiles

1. Anand Rathi
2. BNP Paribas
3. Motilal Oswal
4. Barclays

Source for CFA Job Profile and their Annual CFA Salary – PayScale

4. Financial Risk Manager (FRM)

Financial risk management is an essential part of running any organization. An FRM is responsible for evaluating the potential risk to the finances of a company and suggesting ways to reduce this risk.

The FRM exam is conducted by the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP). The exam consists of 2 parts – Part 1 and Part 2. Once you have cleared the Part 2 exam, you need to gain at least 2 years of relevant work experience within 5 years of the exam.

Requirements for Becoming a Financial Risk Manager:

1. There is no minimum eligibility requirement for giving the FRM exam.
2. Even an undergraduate (Final Year of Graduation) is eligible to give the FRM Part 1 exam.
3. You can take the FRM Part 2 only when you complete the FRM Part-1 exam.

Job Profiles after FRM

1. Financial Manager
2. Regulatory Risk Analyst
3. Credit Risk Specialist

Companies aside from the Big 4 Hiring FRM Profiles

1. Anand Rathi
2. BNP Paribas
3. Motilal Oswal
4. Barclays

Source for Annual FRM Salary in India: AmbitionBox

5. Certified Management Accountant

The Certified Management Accountant course is for those who want to specialise in finance and management accounting. It is offered by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA). A CMA is a crucial part of any company since they look after the internal accounts of the company and share insights on how the financial situation can be improved.

The exam is conducted in just 2 parts, and most students clear the US CMA course in 6 to 9 months. If you would like to know more about how to become a management accountant, we suggest you reach out to the experts at Zell Education. You can also check out the CMA course page for more details.

Requirements for Becoming a CMA:

1. Students can start studying for CMA after the 12th grade.
2. To be certified as a CMA, you will need a Bachelor’s degree, completion of the CMA papers and 2 years of work experience.

Job Profiles after CMA

1. Cost Accountant
2. Risk Management
3. Wealth Creation
4. Asset Management

Companies aside from the Big 4 Hiring CMA Profiles

1. HDFC Securities
2. Genpact
3. Accenture
4. Amazon

Source for Annual CMA Salary in India: AmbitionBox

College graduation often marks a turning point of great significance in the lives of individuals. Your whole career life would be facilitated if proper choices coupled with expert guidance were made. If you are feeling trapped or if you would like to have a mentor helping you through your post-graduation career, do not hesitate to contact us or visit the Courses provided by Zell Education.

Planning to Pursue CMA Accounting Career?

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FAQs on Accounting & Finance Careers After Graduation

Is a career in Accounting & Finance a good long-term choice?

Yes, Accounting & Finance offers excellent stability and consistent demand. It’s a reliable sector for solid long-term career growth.

Which professional course is best after an Accounting degree?

Global certifications like CPA (US), CFA, or ACCA are best. Zell Education offers tailored coaching for these high-value credentials.

Which specific field of accounting offers the best job growth?

Forensic Accounting, Internal Audit, and Corporate Finance are currently the fastest-growing and best-paid fields in accounting.

What is the highest paying job in Accounting and Finance?

Roles like CFO (Chief Financial Officer) and specialised Investment Banking lead the pack as the highest paying jobs in finance.

What specific jobs can I get with an Accounting degree?

You can secure jobs as an Auditor, Tax Consultant, Financial Analyst, or Management Accountant, especially with a certification boost.

What type of accountant is currently in the most demand?

Management Accountants and experts in compliance/risk management are highly in demand due to increased regulation and strategic business needs.

Which certification is best for Accounting and Finance specialisation?

CFA and CPA are globally top-tier certifications, offering the broadest career scope in both accounting and finance.

Current Role

Co-Founder & CEO at Zell Education

Education

• ACCA – Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, Finance (2011 – 2014)
• Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Financial Markets from H.R. College Of Commerce & Economics (2010 – 2013)

Location

Mumbai, India

Expertise

ACCA Certified