Accountants are highly skilled people with diverse training and excel in analytical thinking. Their business knowledge is supported by a disciplined and detail-oriented personality. Being an accountant can be a lucrative job. You can work for different companies in multiple sectors, where there is room for advancement. Plus accountants are always in demand.
Let’s say got your associate’s degree or BA and went out into the workforce. Then guess what? You didn’t like the job. Now what? Fortunately, you can pivot to a different, exciting careers because of your accounting background. If you are looking for something more than your average accounting job, don’t be afraid of change.
Being trained as an accountant doesn’t mean that you have to be one. Many other work opportunities utilize the skills of an accountant, including problem-solving, mathematics and critical thinking.
Let’s go over seven jobs for accountants who don’t want to be accountants:
Job #1: Financial Advisor
Working as a financial advisor allows you to help customers reach their short and long-term goals with their important financial decisions. You will deal with personal finances and investments, taxes, homeownership and insurance plans.
There is employment with a company or hanging up your shingle and getting your clients. This is an analytical job that an accountant can easily adapt to because you are already familiar with financial transactions and the practices of investing in stocks, bonds and mutual funds. You get to advise your clients about investments to work towards financial independence.
Job #2: Business Analyst
An accountant works for a company to maintain financial reports, prepare tax returns, evaluate procedures, and strategize and recommend best practices. This type of advising is also the skillset of a business analyst.
A business analyst goes over the procedures and systems at a business, intending to identify areas of improvement. They are truly agents of change. They streamline processes to help organizations reach their goals and objectives while initiating more productivity and developing technical solutions. It is an exciting career and one that goes way beyond the numbers.
Job #3: Contract Accounting
Maybe you like being an accountant but don’t want to be tied to one company. You desire more variety and want to develop your skills in different sectors. Instead of working full-time for one company, why not become a contract accountant?
Our new gig economy lends itself to contract positions. You can be hired to fill in for a recent vacancy or a short-term project, and you get to join a company, get your hands dirty and get out again, all while gaining work experience and knowledge. Your skills are in demand. You can sign up with a recruitment agency that will market your accounting skillset and place you in short-term contract finance jobs.
Job #4: Entrepreneur
There are those that dream of business ownership. They have practical skills and a great work ethic, so they open up shop. Then they find out that it takes more than that to be successful. They need a comprehensive understanding of an accountant’s financial practices and stewardship.
Your accounting training is vital to being an entrepreneur because it is all about analytics, communication, planning and innovation. An entrepreneur also needs to be a great steward of their money. Your accounting career exposed you to businesses and their practices, and you gained valuable lessons from that. You can take that experience and knowledge to embark on your self-employment path and have a great chance at success.
Job #5: Private Investigator
Working as a private investigator involves compiling information and gathering evidence. They understand the law and know how to track finances for any anomalies. An accountant would flourish in this capacity.
They know how to investigate financial records and interpret legal information, and private investigators are typically hired to investigate fraud and corporate crime. There are other aspects to this type of work that are exciting and challenging. A person with an accounting background can use those skills to excel in this field.
Job #6: Fraud Investigator
This is another investigative career that uses the training and skills of an accountant. Fraud investigators review claims and look for healthcare, investment, tax, and identity fraud evidence. They are good at interviewing people to gain information and even testify in court. You may specialize in one area of fraud or cover various types.
Job #7: Real Estate Agent
If you are looking for freedom and self-employment, consider switching to real estate. Agents deal with lots of paperwork and handle negotiations for buying, selling and leasing property. You will research the market, show homes, meet clients, and advise them. It is rewarding to find a perfect home for a family, and it is an addicting experience.
You must have a strong understanding of property law and understand the details of a real estate contract. An accountant would do very well with this type of career because they are goodwill numbers and fine print. This job is perfect for accountants who don’t want to be accountants.
