Career Opportunities for  Accounting and AIS Majors Opportunities fo

• PWC and AIS

• Firms and Careers

• Employment Data

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• Current Trends

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Firms and Careers

American Management Systems

• Consultant

Typical Project Activities include.  Redesign client's business processes to achieve breakthrough performance.  Help clients manage the changes brought on by new business processes, policies 
and procedures, organizational structures, and technologies.  Develop strategies for strengthening 
clients' IT capabilities.  Design technical architectures for both system and application functions 
using state-of-the-art tools.  Provide systems integration across multiple platforms using 
client/server solutions and object-oriented design and development techniques.  Apply new 
technologies such as mobile computing, multimedia, Web, data warehousing, computer 
telephony, and electronic commerce.
Must have a combination of strong interpersonal and consulting skills, intellectual curiosity, 
an entrepreneurial spirit, and a keen interest in using information technology to help clients reach 
new levels of excellence in the marketplace.         

Accenture (Formerly Andersen Consulting)

• Process Analyst

Business processes define how a business operates.  The Process Competency Group is 
comprised of professionals who understand how processes that constitute a business work and 
interact.  Analyze how these processes work and enhance them to add significant value and 
innovation to a client or industry.  Often their approach is to take best practices from one 
industry and apply them in another.  Most personnel work on project teams at client sites and 
develop strong analytical, communication and interpersonal skills. 
The Business Solution Delivery Skill Track takes a business approach to implementing 
information systems that manage and/or improve a client's business processes.  This includes 
the designing, coding and testing the functional components of information systems for clients. 
The most experienced professionals in this skill track plan and manage the delivery of large, 
complex and diverse business solutions. 
Business Solution Delivery Analysts develop knowledge of business processes and functional 
aspects of information systems. 
These analysts work on project teams, generally at client sites or Solution Centers.  They design, 
code and test the functional components of information systems.  They identify functional 
requirements for a distinct area of an information system and participate in the design and coding 
of the systems.  Identify functional interfaces, define data requirements and complete 
documentation for their programs. 
Basic project management, the coordination, management and communication of personal 
work efforts and the balancing of quality and budget requirements with deadlines is also a 
requirement at the Analyst level. 

• Technology Analyst

Technology Competency Group personnel deliver work-class Technology-based business 
solutions. 
Technology personnel share an interest in the application of technology to address business 
needs. 
Applying skills in design, development, implementation, maintenance and operation of technology 
systems. 
Technology personnel empower our clients to undergo transformational change. 
Technology personnel work directly with clients, to solve business problems using the most 
effective technologies available to meet the client's business needs.  Will involve the practical use 
of leading edge-technologies, including but not limited to client/server, object oriented, 
multi-media, and managing other state-of-the-art tools. 
Opportunities exist in the Technology group to develop specialty skills over the course of one's 
career. 
Deep knowledge and experience in the practical application of emerging technology architectures 
to meet a specific business need, or in the management of solution delivery activities, are two 
examples of current specialty options.

Eagerness to contribute in a team-oriented environment 
Ability to work creatively and analytically in a problem-solving environment 
Ability to articulate an interest in our Process Competency Group or 

Technology Competency Group 
Desire to work in an information systems environment 
Ability to be mobile and meet client travel requirements 
Excellent leadership, communication and interpersonal skills 
Current authorization to work in the United States on other than a non-immigrant visa 

Fidelity Investments – Fund Accounting Services

• Systems Associate Program

Our goal is to select and develop top-notch technology University graduates and create a pipeline of skilled resources for Fidelity’s systems community.

• Systems Associate Program

As a Systems Associate, you will be hired into a Fidelity business unit in one of three key functional areas: Development, Operations or Telecommunications. With the active support of management and targeted training, you will become an involved and productive member of that systems organization, continuing to build your skills while making real contributions. Our managers seek candidates who aspire to careers of continuous learning and they encourage this learning through as much hands-on experience as possible.

At Fidelity, you quickly see that technology enables the business. As a Systems Associate, you will need to understand the business and the way technology is applied to the business. You will strengthen your skills as a collaborator and problem solver, skills critical in our high performance technology work environment.

Technology at Fidelity:

Becoming a Systems Associate is an effective way to launch your technology career in one of the most advanced technical environments anywhere. At Fidelity, you will find over 6,000 employees dedicated to technology alone. Our industry has seen 20% growth each year for the last 10 years, as the leading, mutual fund company in the world, we couldn’t do what we do without the vast technology that we have. Our systems must be continuously available operating an enormous breadth of products at huge volumes to service our 1114 million customers. With this diverse technology comes exceptional opportunities for skill growth and career development.

Deloitte & Touche, LLP

Enterprise Risk Services

One of the most  prestigious professional services firms.  With business advisers to organizations 
around the world, specializing in a wide variety of businesses.  Deloitte & Touche LLP stands 
alone in creating a highly successful practice focused on addressing control risks associated with 
information technologies.  Our Enterprise Risk Services (ERS) practice provides control 
consulting services around information systems.
The ERS practice consists of many different service lines, Controls Assessment, Systems Quality 
Assurance, Process and Systems Integrity, Network and Systems Quality and Cosourcing.  Each 
of these service lines offer their own distinct experiences.
To support unparalleled growth in information protection, technology audit, and consulting, ERS 
group is currently seeking individuals with outstanding analytical oral, written and presentation 
skills.
Direct entry into ERS means your career as a consultant begins day one with direct participation 
in audit support and consulting engagement.  Experience gained counts towards obtaining the 
practical requirements for CPA certification.  Company encourages employee initiative, and is 
committed to continual growth, comprehensive training, and career development. 
Competitive compensation and benefits.

 

Employment Data

• There are four kinds of accountants.

1. ‘Public accountants’ work for public accounting companies. Some have their own businesses. They do many different kinds of accounting for people outside the company. Specialty areas include audit, tax, and consulting. CPA's hold certificates issued by state boards of accountancy. Some states require approximately 150 hours of University level course work and 2-3 years work experience.

2. ‘Management accountants’ keep track of the money spent and made by the companies for which they work.

3. ‘Internal auditors’ make sure that a company's accounting records are right. They check the records to see that no one in the company is stealing. They also check to see that no one in the company is wasting the company's money.

4. ‘Government accountants' and auditors' make sure that government accounting records are right. They also check the records of people doing business with the government. Government departments that employ the largest number of accountants and auditors include Agriculture, Defense Audit Agencies, Energy, FBI, Health and Human Services, Air Force, Navy, Army, Transportation, General Accounting, and Treasury (IRS).

• The 2004-2005 Occupational Outlook Handbook for accountants and auditors outlines working conditions, employment, training, earnings and more.
  
   The new edition emphasizes the impact that new legislation will have on the industry through 2012. BLS predicts an increased need for accountants and auditors "to address changes in legislation related to taxes, financial reporting standards, business investments, mergers, and other financial matters."
  
   In addition, BLS says "the growth of international business also has led to more demand for accounting expertise and services related to international trade and accounting rules, as well as to international mergers and acquisitions."
  
  Specific trends predicted in the handbook include the following:
  
  
  1. CPAs will be in high demand due to increased scrutiny of company finances and accounting procedures.
  2. Management accountants and internal auditors will increasingly be needed to discover and eliminate fraud.
  3. Government accountants should be in demand to make government agencies more efficient and accountable. 
  4. Forensic accountants will be needed to detect illegal financial activity by individuals, companies and organized crime rings. ("As success rates of investigations grow, demand will also grow for forensic accountants.") 
  5. Accountants will shift away from tax preparation due to the increasingly popularity of tax prep software and tax prep firms.

• Accountants and auditors held about 1.1 million jobs in 2002. They worked throughout private industry and government, but 1 out of 5 wage and salary accountants worked for accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll services firms. Approximately 1 out of 10 accountants or auditors were self-employed

• Many accountants and auditors are unlicensed management accountants, internal auditors, or government accountants and auditors; however, a large number are licensed Certified Public Accountants. Most accountants and auditors work in urban areas, where public accounting firms and central or regional offices of businesses are concentrated.
  Some individuals with backgrounds in accounting and auditing are full-time college and university faculty; others teach part time while working as self-employed accountants or employed as accountants for private industry or government.
  
  

• Within the accounting field, 20% are employed in public firms, 65% in non-profit and private firms, and the remaining 15% are employed in government or educational settings.

 
 

Salary Information

• Based on the Bryant University Undergraduate Employment Survey*, the average salary for accounting majors who graduated in:

Graduation Date	Average Salary
May 2000	$35,182
May 2001	$38,989
May 2002	$38,857

• Accountants are taking on more responsibility in areas of business analysis. MBA degrees are increasingly relevant to moving to an executive position. However, employers looking to fill entry level positions requiring an advanced degree often hire master in accounting graduates over MBA's.

• Communication skills are at a premium. Great opportunities are available for accountants with the ability to use new information technology. There seems to be a high demand for tax and health care areas and the forensic accounting area within the government.

• As jobs become more complicated, the tendency to specialize becomes even greater.

•   Public Accounting Report has published its annual ranking of America's Top 100 Accounting Firms, and it's no surprise that Andersen, the previous number five ranked firm, is no longer on the list. http://www.accountingweb.com/item/95611

1. PricewaterhouseCoopers: $8,056.5 million
2. Deloitte & Touche: $6,130 million 
3. Ernst & Young: $4,485 million 
4. KPMG: $3,171 million 
5. Grant Thornton: $432.5 million 
6. BDO Seidman: $353 million 
7. BKD: $210.9 million 
8. Crowe, Chizek & Co.: $204.7 million 
9. McGladrey & Pullen: $203 million 
10. Moss Adams: $163 million
    

• www.cpazone.org—Created by the Pennsylvania state society - Contains interactive games, career information and many prizes.

• www.tomorrowscpa.org—The Maryland society’s Web site contains useful information for students about the accounting profession in the United States.

• www.incpas.org/Students/index.htm—The Indiana society’s Web page helps students to find all the required information how to become a CPA.

• www.calcpa.org/community/careers/index.html—The California society’s student Web page -  Contains excellent profiles of young CPAs and offers a variety of interesting articles.

• www.futurecpa.org—The Illinois society’s Web site - Full of fun and important information for students and professionals.

• CPA2Be.org—A comprehensive Web site for students created by the Kansas state society.

 

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Last Updated: 09/29/04