Accounting Major: Careers, Salaries and Job Outlook

Drexel LeBow’s BSBA in Accounting equips you with in-demand skills and expertise in developing, interpreting, analyzing and communicating financial information. Accounting is ideal for those interested in a career where they routinely face new challenges, work in dynamic teams and continue to learn in-demand skills.

Accounting Career Outlook

Early career opportunities for accounting students are diverse and include financial analyst, auditor, tax analyst and management consultant. The major is excellent preparation for professional certifications including the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Managerial Accounting (CMA), and meets the educational requirements needed in most states to sit for the CPA.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for accountants and auditors is projected to grow 5 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations.

What Skills Will You Gain From Majoring in Accounting?

Students gain insight on valuable topics like investor reporting, financial evaluation, tax planning and strategic decision analysis. An undergraduate degree in accounting gives you a solid foundation in accounting and tax principles, information analysis, and communication and collaboration skills needed for business success.

• Managerial accounting
• Tax planning
• Cost accounting
• Auditing
• Financial accounting
• Strategic decision analysis
• Navigating accounting information systems

The top co-op employers for accounting majors include:

• Chubb
• Comcast
• EY
• Grant Thornton
• KPMG
• PWC

What Can You Do With an Accounting Degree?

Think accountants just do taxes? Think again! An accounting degree can prepare you to be a leader in a variety of fields. The unique skills learned through an accounting degree provide you with the versatility to enter the industry of your choice and prepare you to make an impact in your field.

Busting Top Accounting Myths

Common Job Titles for Accounting Graduates

• Accountant
• Actuary
• Auditor
• Bookkeeper
• Budget / Performance Analyst
• Buyer / Purchasing Agent
• Cost Estimator
• Credit Analyst
• Financial Analyst / Manager
• Forensic Accountant
• Insurance Underwriter
• Public Accountant
• Risk Assessment Officer
• Tax Examiner
• Tax Collector / Revenue Agent

What Do Accounting Graduates Earn?

The average salary reported one year out for accounting graduates in LeBow’s class of 2024 was $76,091. Salary outlook can vary greatly depending on the local job market, skill level and work experience.

Where Drexel LeBow Accounting Graduates Work

Recent LeBow accounting graduates have landed jobs at companies including:

• Ametek, Inc.
• BlackRock
• CHUBB (formerly ACE USA)
• Comcast Corporation
• Deloitte
• EY (Formerly Ernst & Young)
• Grant Thornton LLP
• Goldman Sachs
• Independence Blue Cross
• JPMorgan Chase & Co.
• KPMG
• Lockheed Martin
• PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers)
• QVC
• Vanguard

Professional Organizations

Professional organizations allow you to expand your local and national network while also broadening your skill set through professional development opportunities.

• Accounting and Financial Women’s Alliance (Philadelphia Chapter)
• Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (Philadelphia Chapter)
• American Institute of CPAs
• Institute of Internal Auditors (Philadelphia Chapter)
• Institute of Management Accountants (Philadelphia Chapter)
• National Association of Black Accountants
• National Association of State Boards of Accountancy
• Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants

Continuing Education Opportunities

Many students go on to pursue graduate degrees including the MBA and a PhD with a specialization in accounting .