Graduating with an accounting degree formerly meant only having the skills to perform a job doing one specific type of accounting. However, nowadays graduates have a much broader set of career choices than ever before. Although you will still most likely be working in some sort of business because of your specialized skills, you have a choice of working in organizations such as the tax department, financial analysis, and even management accounting.

You may have a specific interest within the accounting field. It is most advantageous when applying for an accounting job that you apply for a position which matches your specific studies as well as what you enjoy. There are some accounting jobs that are more lucrative than others, so you also want to keep that among your considerations.

After graduation you may find you need to start off in an entry level position. There are many to choose from, such as staff auditor, consulting and management accounting, plus accounting needs that deal directly with taxes. You will have a person along side you most of the time who is considered to be a senior accountant, and you will report to that individual. After at least three years, you should have gained sufficient experience to move up to a position in which you are the senior accountant. You would then still report to a manager, but you will have advanced an important level. After about six years you then may have the experience to move up to management, or even partner level, although that does take a considerable amount of time.

Corporate and financial accounting is a growing field that many graduates choose to enter after school. They also have a great deal of advancement opportunities, so by getting in with a larger company you are more able to take your career to the next level. You do need to have experience in financial management or cash management, which is usually attainable just from working there a few years as an entry level accountant. Going that route is more of a traditional path, but it will pay off over the years as you learn and grow with the company.