As a college accounting student, it’s essential to recognize your end goal: graduating with the knowledge and skills needed to nail an entry-level accounting role. There is a library of knowledge that you should have before entering the workforce. Your college advisor can point you in the direction of the right courses to help you check off the right boxes. We’re here to help you by sharing the top things you should know before graduating that you’re not going to pick up in a classroom. 

Positions in High Demand 

Help yourself prepare for your job search by knowing what positions are available that are in high demand. You already have a leg up by earning your degree but you can maximize your search efforts by identifying roles that are most likely to be hiring. 

First things first, you need to be sure your sights are set on a realistic goal. You can be pretty sure that your favorite Fortune 500 company isn’t going to be hiring a recent grad as their new CFO. So make sure that you’re aiming for a realistic position. Here are some titles that are currently in high demand that are more realistic entry-level positions: 

• Staff accountant
• Accounting specialist
• Financial analyst

Valuable Certifications 

A degree in accounting is a valuable asset when applying for a role in marketing. That being said, a bachelor’s degree from a fancy university isn’t the only important thing to flaunt when applying for jobs. Multiple various certifications are extremely beneficial to have on your resume. Might we suggest the following: 

• CPA (certified public accountant)
• CFA (chartered financial analyst )
• CFP (certified financial planner)
• CGMA (chartered global management accountant)
• CIA (certified internal auditor)
• CISA (certified information systems auditor)
• CMA (certified management accountant)
• CPP (certified payroll professional)

Many companies, such as ourselves at TGG University, offer online courses in which students can earn various accounting certifications. Online courses are a particularly valuable asset especially now amid the ongoing global pandemic, as they offer students the opportunity to boost their learning abilities significantly. TGG-U offers courses ranging from the basics of accounting to Excel to accounting in the Cannabis industry. These and other similar courses are an opportunity to expand on the knowledge and skills taught in the classroom and wow your interviewer with a new certification on your resume. 

Technology and Automation

We probably won’t be the first to point out that technology and automation are the way of the future. And the accounting field is no exception. Barry Melancon, President and CEO of AICPA, predicts that “up to 40% of accounting work will eventually become automated or eliminated by technology.” 

Students today have a leg up over accountants that have been in the field for decades. Rather than trying to play a game of catch up and learn the technology as you go, most accounting students are learning the necessary technologies while they’re still in school. 

It’s critical to take advantage of the opportunity to learn these skills before entering the professional field to avoid playing catch up and stay ahead of the pack. You may be thinking ‘ok so what technology should I be focused on?’ Well, we can guarantee with confidence that mastering Excel is a great place to start. 

Once mastered, Excel is likely to become your best friend. Your future coworkers and competitors may know the day-to-day basics of using the program but diving into the ins and outs and details of it may eventually mean the difference between success and failure. 

Why You Need Consulting Skills

As technology and automation free up more time for accountants, it leaves availability for them to perform higher-level tasks including advising or consulting. Going into a position with the skills for these tasks is a game-changer. While most accountants are traditionally trained to be punching numbers and managing spreadsheets, having soft skills to maximize strategic thinking is likely to put you ahead. 

People may not often consider the soft skills associated with an accounting role but as the technology and automation piece continues to grow, these skills will become even more important. Top soft skills for accountants may include the following: 

• Written and verbal communication
• Deductive reasoning
• Problem-solving skills
• Critical thinking

Nailing these soft skills early on may be the tipping point for your hiring. Don’t underestimate the importance of soft skills in what may seem like a straightforward profession.